RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, March 2: The issue of corruption and deteriorating law and order in the state remained a matter of discussion inside and outside the Jharkhand assembly on the fourth day of the budget session today.
Outside the house, BJP MLAs staged a demonstration at the main gate of the assembly and demanded the resignation of the Hemant government on the issue of rising corruption and deteriorating law and order.
In the house, BJP’s Panki MLA Kushwaha Shashibhushan Mehta demanded the removal of section 144 in the Panki area in the wake of the Holi festival and said that the government should stop the policy of appeasement.
BJP’s Simaria MLA Kisun Das asked the government to stop patronizing people like Virendra Ram and said that many such Virendra Rams are still working for the government. He also demanded action against the civil surgeon for supplying a cylinder without oxygen that claimed the life of his mother-in-law.
A war of words started between a senior BJP legislature and state minister on the issue of corruption but it was expunged from the proceedings following interference of the chief minister and another legislature of opposition.
Hussainabad’s NCP MLA Kamlesh Singh alleged that the circle office of his assembly constituency NK Ram has issued land rent receipts from 1956-57 till now and the practice is a clear-cut indication of corruption. In response to the allegation, in-charge minister Joba Manjhi said that after getting the entire matter investigated by Palamu Deputy Commissioner, she would report in three weeks.
In the minister’s reply, Singh said that the investigation should be done within two weeks, not three weeks. He said that when the corrupt officials will be saved even after questioning in the House, then what will be the justification of this House? On this, the minister said that the reply will be given after an investigation in the ongoing session itself and action will also be taken.
CPI (ML) MLA Vinod Singh raised the issue of irregularities in the issuance of licenses for PDS shops and demanded immediate action against the erring officials. Concerned minister Rameshwar Oraon admitted the irregularities and assured strict action after the investigation.
Apart from this, issues raised in the house are also related to common issues of public concern. BJP’s Nirsa MLA Aparna Sengupta demanded to start the construction of the Barbendia bridge connecting Dhanbad and Jamtara soon. CPI (ML) MLA Vinod Singh raised the issue of non-constitution of the 15-point State and District Committee, Waqf Board and Minorities Finance Corporation from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
