Jharkhand: MLAs of Ruling Party Criticize Government for Targeted Action in Rs 100 Crore Water Department Scam
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Synopsis
In a heated Assembly session, ruling party MLAs and Opposition members united to demand accountability in a Rs 100 crore embezzlement scandal involving Jharkhand's Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, questioning the government's selective action against implicated officials.
Key Takeaways
- Ruling party MLAs demand action on Rs 100 crore scam.
- Concerns raised about selective action against officials.
- Opposition supports calls for accountability.
- Minister promises inquiry report within seven days.
- Accusations of cover-up and favoritism in the government.
Ranchi, March 5 (NationPress) MLAs from the ruling party challenged the government in the Assembly on Wednesday regarding a Rs 100 crore embezzlement scheme within Jharkhand’s Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, demanding accountability and action against other officials implicated in the misappropriation of funds.
Opposition members also supported their call for responsibility.
During the Question Hour, Pradeep Yadav, the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, highlighted the issue of fraudulent withdrawals made through fictitious accounts in the department’s Swarnarekha division.
Referencing a report from the Finance Department, he pointed out, “Numerous engineers are involved, yet only cashier Santosh Kumar has faced any repercussions.”
In reply, Minister Yogendra Prasad assured the Assembly of a departmental inquiry, promising that a report would be available within seven days.
However, ruling JMM MLA Stephen Marandi and Congress MLA Rameshwar Oraon dismissed the assurance, claiming intentional delays in action.
Marandi alleged that officials were protecting the executive engineer, while Oraon warned of a potential cover-up.
JMM representatives Mathura Mahato and Hemlal Murmu criticized the departmental investigation as a mere “whitewash.” “If multiple officials are named in the Finance Department report, why is only the cashier being singled out?” they asked.
They demanded an FIR against Chief Engineer Prabhat Kumar Singh, Executive Engineer Chandrashekhar, and other implicated officials.
BJP MLA Naveen Jaiswal commented, “If ruling party MLAs must fight so hard for action, it illustrates how the government addresses issues raised by the Opposition.”
As frustration mounted, Pradeep Yadav threatened to stage a dharna inside the House.
After a tense half-hour debate, Minister Yogendra Prasad reiterated his commitment to action within seven days, after which the Speaker postponed further discussions.
Earlier, BJP legislators had walked out of the Jharkhand Assembly during a budget discussion, claiming bias against the Opposition.
Speaking to the press outside the House, senior BJP figure and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi accused Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato of showing favoritism toward the ruling party. “The Speaker is conducting the House arbitrarily. Ruling party MLAs are allotted more speaking time, while the Opposition's voice is systematically stifled,” he asserted.
