CAG Report Uncovers Financial Mismanagement and Corruption in Hemant Soren's Government: Babulal Marandi
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Synopsis
Babulal Marandi, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has alleged that the recent CAG report reveals serious financial mismanagement and corruption under the Hemant Soren government, highlighting critical shortages in healthcare staffing and essential medicines.
Key Takeaways
- Financial mismanagement highlighted in the CAG report.
- Over 61 percent of medical positions remain unfilled.
- Critical shortages of essential medicines.
- Covid-19 funds mismanaged, impacting healthcare projects.
- Concerns raised over a Rs 19,125 crore utilization certificate.
Ranchi, Feb 28 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and current BJP state President Babulal Marandi has claimed that the recent CAG report reveals extensive financial mismanagement, corruption, and inconsistencies within the Hemant Soren-led administration.
Marandi characterized the past five years of governance as a series of failures and called for the state government to publish a white paper outlining its achievements thus far.
Referring to the findings of the central government auditor, he noted that as of March 2022, Jharkhand experienced a significant deficit of medical staff. Out of 3,634 sanctioned positions for medical officers and specialists, 2,210 were unfilled, representing 61 percent of the total need.
The audit further pointed out a worrying lack of nurses and paramedics in state-run hospitals, alongside a critical shortage of essential medications.
As per the CAG report, the availability of vital medicines at community health centers, district hospitals, and medical colleges was between just 5 percent and 35 percent during 2020-21 and 2021-22, indicating a shortfall of 65 percent to 95 percent.
Marandi condemned the way Covid-19 was managed in the state, calling it particularly disgraceful.
The CAG indicated that the Central Government allocated Rs 483.54 crore for Covid-19 management, necessitating the Jharkhand government to contribute Rs 272.88 crore as its part.
However, from a total of Rs 756.42 crore allocated, the state disbursed only Rs 291.87 crore from central resources and Rs 145.10 crore of its share, utilizing merely Rs 436.97 crore, which is just 32 percent of the total funds available.
Marandi further accused the government of mismanaging Covid-19 funds, resulting in the non-completion of critical healthcare infrastructure projects, including district-level RTPCR laboratories, a Centre of Excellence in Pediatrics in Ranchi, as well as pre-fabricated structures in CHCs, PHCs, and HSCs, along with liquid medical oxygen plants.
The lack of district-level laboratories during the pandemic compelled officials to transport collected samples to other districts, which delayed testing and treatment.
Expressing concerns over financial discrepancies, the BJP leader described the sanctioning of a Rs 19,125 crore utilization certificate as a serious concern, insisting that the potential for large-scale corruption cannot be discounted.
