Jharkhand: Ruling Party Legislators Criticize Government Over Targeted Action in Rs 100 Crore Water Department Fraud
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Synopsis
Ruling party legislators in Jharkhand's Assembly challenged the government regarding a Rs 100 crore embezzlement scandal in the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. They called for accountability and action against more officials implicated in the fraud, while also facing opposition from the BJP regarding the handling of the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Ruling party MLAs demand action on a major embezzlement scandal.
- Opposition joins the call for accountability.
- Only one cashier has faced repercussions despite multiple officials being named.
- Minister promises an inquiry with a report in seven days.
- Accusations of cover-ups and bias within the Assembly.
Ranchi, March 5 (NationPress) Ruling party legislators criticized the government in the Assembly on Wednesday regarding a Rs 100 crore embezzlement scandal in Jharkhand’s Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, demanding action against additional officials implicated in the misappropriation of funds.
Opposition members also joined the call for accountability.
During the Question Hour, Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Yadav highlighted the issue of fraudulent withdrawals made through fake accounts in the department’s Swarnarekha division.
Referring to a report from the Finance Department investigation, he noted, “Numerous engineers have been identified as involved, yet only cashier Santosh Kumar has faced repercussions.”
In reply, Minister-in-charge Yogendra Prasad assured the Assembly of a departmental inquiry, pledging a report within seven days.
However, ruling JMM MLA Stephen Marandi and Congress MLA Rameshwar Oraon dismissed the assurance, alleging intentional delays in taking action.
Marandi accused officials of protecting the executive engineer, while Oraon cautioned about a potential cover-up.
JMM MLAs Mathura Mahato and Hemlal Murmu dismissed the departmental investigation as a “whitewash”. “If multiple officials are mentioned in the Finance Department report, why is only the cashier being singled out?” they questioned.
They demanded that an FIR be filed against Chief Engineer Prabhat Kumar Singh, Executive Engineer Chandrashekhar, and other officials.
BJP MLA Naveen Jaiswal remarked, “If ruling party MLAs must struggle so hard for action, one can only imagine how the government deals with issues raised by the Opposition.”
As frustration mounted, Pradeep Yadav threatened to stage a dharna inside the Assembly.
Following a contentious half-hour debate, Minister Yogendra Prasad reaffirmed his commitment to action within seven days, after which the Speaker postponed further discussion.
Earlier, BJP MLAs walked out of the Jharkhand Assembly during a discussion on the state budget, alleging bias against the Opposition.
Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi accused Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato of favoring the ruling party. “The Speaker is managing the House arbitrarily. Ruling party MLAs receive more speaking time, while the Opposition’s voice is systematically suppressed,” he claimed.
