Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: On the third day of the budget session of the Jharkhand Assembly, MLA Pradeep Yadav demanded that the Mob Lynching Bill be reintroduced in the House and proposed the establishment of an Urdu, Arabic, and Persian University. Responding to this, Minister Hafizul Ansari stated that the government is considering setting up the Sheikh Bhikhari Arabic-Persian University and that the Madrasa Board will soon be formed.
Regarding the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) for minorities, MLA Pradeep Yadav questioned why no projects had been taken up in the past five years. Minister Hafizul Ansari attributed the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability and assured that a meeting is scheduled for March 3 to address the issue. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to link Aamil-Fazil degrees with Ranchi University.
Support for Weavers and Land Rights for the Poor
Pradeep Yadav highlighted that the state has over 20,000 weavers who should be provided financial assistance. He also advocated for land rights for poor Muslims. In response, Minister Hafizul clarified that minority benefits are not limited to Muslims alone and that land pattas are also given to landless individuals, differently-abled people, and families of martyred police officers.
Regarding vacancies in madrasa education, Yadav pointed out that 3,712 out of 4,400 posts for madrasa teachers remain unfilled and urged the recruitment of TET-qualified Urdu teachers.
Questions on Electricity and Infrastructure Development
MLA Jairam Mahto raised concerns about excessive electricity fines being imposed in February and March. He questioned whether departments deliberately collected revenue during this period. He also demanded an update on the replacement of old, dilapidated electricity wires and transformers.
In response, Minister Yogendra Pratap stated that there is no need for MLA recommendations for transformer replacements. He advised citizens to report issues via toll-free numbers, WhatsApp, or the electricity distribution corporation’s website. He also mentioned that under the RDSS scheme, 439.102 circuit kilometers of electrical wiring has been replaced, with regular upgrades continuing across the state.
MLA Manoj Kumar Yadav called for irrigation facilities in Khadi, Kotwadi, Jamukhadi, and Urangwa villages of Chandwara block. Minister Hafizul assured that a site inspection would be conducted soon.
Concerns Over Ganga River Erosion
MLA Tajuddin raised the issue of riverbank erosion along the Ganga. Minister Hafizul responded that annual inspections are carried out after the monsoon season, and 2.7 kilometers of erosion control work has already been completed.
MLA Amit Yadav questioned the progress of cold storage facilities in the state. Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey informed the House that a 5,000 MT cold storage facility is being set up in Hazaribagh, and 20 districts will receive new cold storage units. However, there are currently no plans for block-level cold storage construction.
