Has the Hemant Soren Government Disabled Key Institutions?

Synopsis
In Jharkhand, Babulal Marandi accuses the Hemant Soren government of crippling essential institutions meant to uphold justice and transparency. With key positions left vacant and alleged illegal appointments, the state's governance comes under fire. Discover the implications of these accusations and what they mean for the citizens of Jharkhand.
Key Takeaways
- Babulal Marandi has accused the Hemant Soren government of institutional paralysis.
- The appointment of a retired IPS officer as DGP is described as illegal.
- Key institutions like the Lokayukta and Information Commission are reportedly non-functional.
- Over 5,000 cases regarding women's atrocities are pending.
- Public trust in governance may be at risk due to these allegations.
Ranchi, May 23 (NationPress) - The Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand and BJP state President, Babulal Marandi, on Friday accused the government led by Hemant Soren of systematically undermining vital constitutional and statutory bodies within the state.
He labeled the appointment of a retired IPS officer as the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) as “unlawful”.
During a press briefing at the BJP state headquarters, Marandi contended that institutions such as the Lokayukta, the Information Commission, the Women’s Commission, and the Consumer Forum—established to uphold transparency and justice—have been rendered ineffective under the current governance.
“Where can citizens turn to report corruption in government departments? If an individual has evidence of corrupt activities involving a minister, MLA, officer, or even an employee of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, who will listen to their grievances?” he questioned.
“The Lokayukta position, intended for precisely such situations, has been deliberately left unfilled for the past five years as part of a planned conspiracy,” he asserted.
He indicated that the Information Commission has been without Commissioners since 2023, and the role of Chief Information Commissioner has remained vacant for an extended period.
“Numerous RTI applications are in limbo due to the Commission's total dysfunction,” he remarked.
Marandi mentioned that the government initially cited the lack of a Leader of Opposition as a reason for postponing crucial appointments.
“However, even after my official recognition as Leader of Opposition, there has been no progress on these matters,” he claimed.
“This is a calculated effort to suppress transparency and accountability in governance,” he accused.
The BJP leader further pointed out that both the Chairperson and Members' positions in the Women’s Commission are vacant, with nearly 5,000 cases concerning women’s atrocities pending.
“Commission employees have not received their salaries for months. In various districts, the Consumer Forum lacks a Chairperson or Members,” he added.
He also criticized the government for allegedly keeping a retired IPS officer as DGP without the necessary approval from the Central government.
“The officer has not been granted an extension by the Central government, yet the state continues to retain him in the position. This is unprecedented,” Marandi stated.