Vijay Deo Jha/Joy Sengupta | Ranchi
Friday, March 5, 2010
The shrieks and cries of Gorelal Paswan, an employee of CMPDI, echoed throughout Dhawan Nagar as the coffin carrying the body of his son, Gautam, arrived at his residence on Thursday. Gautam, a student of the Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu, died in a road mishap on February 28.
The incident was followed by the police lathi-charge on the protesting students which led to chaos resulting in the death of Sumit Kumar, another university student hailing from Jamshedpur, and two others from Bihar.
Sumit's body arrived too and was taken to Jamshedpur by his relatives. He and the other two students drowned in a canal while trying to escape from the police.
The deaths also rang bells in the Assembly on Thursday with the Opposition asking the State Government to take a serious look over the deaths.
“Now what do I do? Everything I had is now finished. Why God, this to us,” yelled Gautam's father, who works as a chief surveyor in CMPDI.
Gautam's mother, who was told about the incident only on Thursday, was inconsolable. She fainted many a times after seeing the body of her son.
Gautam was the youngest among Paswan's three sons. The second son, Neeraj, was killed some 8 years ago following being kidnapped by unidentified miscreants. His body was recovered tied in a jute sack from the Chutia police station area. Police investigations in this case have proved futile till late.
The scene in the locality was grim and all the neighbours and friends turned up to Gautam's small house to pay their condolences to the grieving family. Neighbours said that the family had been struggling in order to pay for Gautam's education.
“The family had been struggling to make both ends meet. The father had taken a big loan for Gautam's education. They have been really struggling hard. Loosing two sons is not easy,” said a neighbour.
Meanwhile, the State Government assured the Assembly for a suitable reply over the issue on February 10. Raising the issue at Zero Hour, CPI(ML) legislator Vinod Kumar Singh asked the State Government to take a serious look over the deaths.
Singh said that the State Government must focus upon the higher and technical education in Jharkhand so that the students of Jharkhand are not forced to migrate to other States.
JVM legislator Pradeep Yadav, who supported the CPI(ML) legislator's point of view, said that the State Government must take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of the students studying in other States.
HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu clarified that the State Government has been in active touch with the Government of Tamil Nadu following the issue.
The Opposition though remained vociferous and said that even after more than a dozen of students of Jharkhand studying in different parts of Tamil Nadu and other southern States have fled following the incident, the State Government remained insensitive towards the issue.
Congress legislator Banna Gupta said that while the body of deceased student was brought to Jharkhand on Thursday, none of the officials of the district administration turned up.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jharkhand to get schools to counter Maoist uprising
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The State Government finally woke up to the call of Maoist menace. Accepting that Naxal activities in Jharkhand have reached at an alarming level, Finance Minister Raghuwar Das unveiled modernisation plans of the State police forces in his Budget speech on Friday.
Announcing sanction of grants for opening of four new counter-insurgency schools in Netarhat, Padma, Musabani and Mandal, he said that the State was serious about forming a tribal battalion in Jharkhand. Das, in his Budget speech, announced to start a Civil Defense Training Institute to train people in the art of self-defense. The Government agreed to expand Nagrik Suraksha Samiti in Ranchi, East Singhbhum, Bokaro and Godda.
“The State Government has taken every step to ensure development of the area to win back youth, who have strayed away from the mainstream of the society. The Government is serious about tackling this issue,” Das said.
Das informed that the police personnel will be given special training in the coming days. In this context, he said that that the State was planning to construct training centres to impart training to State home guards.
Das said that the State intended to increase the coverage area of police stations and said that the Government wanted to increase the man-police ratio in Jharkhand. According to UN norms, man-police ratio in strife-torn areas should be 222 policemen for each one lakh population. In Jharkhand, this figure stands around 98 policemen for each one lakh population according to the reports.
Das informed that the State Government will encourage youth to join police force.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The State Government finally woke up to the call of Maoist menace. Accepting that Naxal activities in Jharkhand have reached at an alarming level, Finance Minister Raghuwar Das unveiled modernisation plans of the State police forces in his Budget speech on Friday.
Announcing sanction of grants for opening of four new counter-insurgency schools in Netarhat, Padma, Musabani and Mandal, he said that the State was serious about forming a tribal battalion in Jharkhand. Das, in his Budget speech, announced to start a Civil Defense Training Institute to train people in the art of self-defense. The Government agreed to expand Nagrik Suraksha Samiti in Ranchi, East Singhbhum, Bokaro and Godda.
“The State Government has taken every step to ensure development of the area to win back youth, who have strayed away from the mainstream of the society. The Government is serious about tackling this issue,” Das said.
Das informed that the police personnel will be given special training in the coming days. In this context, he said that that the State was planning to construct training centres to impart training to State home guards.
Das said that the State intended to increase the coverage area of police stations and said that the Government wanted to increase the man-police ratio in Jharkhand. According to UN norms, man-police ratio in strife-torn areas should be 222 policemen for each one lakh population. In Jharkhand, this figure stands around 98 policemen for each one lakh population according to the reports.
Das informed that the State Government will encourage youth to join police force.
Das Budget tries to please all
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi |
Saturday, March 6, 2010
From sweet lovers to agriculturists to common men, Finance Minister Raghuwar Das tried to make everybody satisfied with a Budget which he christened as the budget of overall development of Jharkhand.
Amid uproar by the Opposition, Das presented the Finance Budget 2010-11 of Rs 22,297.59 crore where he sought Rs 11,993.18 crore and Rs 10,304.44 crore respectively under non-plan and plan head.
Announcing that the State Government was determined to accelerate Gross Domestic Product of Jharkhand to 10 per cent; Das was confronted with another greater challenge to limit the loss to the State Exchequer by 2.50 per cent. He said that the Government is expecting the growth of the per capita income by Rs 30,000.
The State Government tried to show its concern for aam admi and announced to lower down the taxes and complete exemption of the taxes on nearly 16 items.
The Government exempted rice, wheat, onion, potato and some other items, including footwear made of rubber and plastic, solar battery, henna, snacks produced by the cottage industry, from tax.
The Finance Minister announced to lower down VAT on helmet, motor parts, sweets, salty snacks and ice-cream from 12.5 to 4 per cent. The State Government also gave some respite to the petroleum dealers by lowering VAT on diesel from 20 per cent 18.
Later at a Press conference, the Minister accepted that large heartedness will incur loss to the State exchequer. “But we have decided to explore other sources of income and create atmosphere for the more revenue generation to compensate it,” he said.
The Government tried to exhibit a fine balancing act between agriculture and industry. Though, there was no word over how the Government plans to create an atmosphere for industrial development and investment in Jharkhand except ‘Single Window System’ and ‘Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Authority.’
There was a grumble in the industrial sector after Das did not carry any candy for industry to please. In fact the department of industry got a paltry share in allocation 1.28 per cent of the total layout.
“Agriculture”, Das said, “constitute the bedrock of the development of the State. If I get a chance to rule the sky I will pluck all the stars to give it the State.” He read out a couplet to show his seriousness to develop agriculture.
The Minister announced to start several measures for effective marketing of the agricultural products, investments and creating employment opportunity in agriculture.
Insurance for farmers, Tilka Manjhi Krishi Pump Yojna, fish farmers’ credit card, lowering down interest rate of the Kishan Credit Card from 7 per cent to 4 per cent under some given condition and special operation in 15 districts to improve the cultivation of pulses under National Food Security Mission were some other measures; Das tried to please the farmers.
Das said the Government planned 5 per cent growth rate in the agriculture sector. He dedicated Rs 260 crore for the development of agriculture. But the Opposition was not happy. “Budget is a finely worded fraud on the people specially farmers…no solid commitments and plan on how to help poor farmers from the debt trap since after Jharkhand has been passing through a tumults phase of draught. The government instead cut down the budgetary allocation of some of the key departments that are directly associated with farmers and rural sector,” Congress leader Sukhdeo Bhagat countered.
The Budget earmarked Rs 475 crore for irrigation and announced to expand the total irrigated area up to 57,085 hectares in the next fiscal year. Rs 1,000 for rural development, 80000 new vacancies, direct recruitment to matriculated tribal candidates in the job, special training to the rural youths, Rs 70 crore for conducting elections of Panchyat Raj institution were the part of the Budget.
Institution like National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and its execution remained the key concern of the government. Hence, Das announced Rs 2500 crore for NREGA.
Under urban development Das announced to prepare feasibility report for metro rail projects in major towns of Jharkhand. He also announced new flyovers, proper drainage and others.
He announced to open 300 new schools in Jharkhand, medical colleges on the basis of public-private-partnership in Bokaro and Ghatsila, new ITI and women polytechnic institutes and others were announced by Das.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
From sweet lovers to agriculturists to common men, Finance Minister Raghuwar Das tried to make everybody satisfied with a Budget which he christened as the budget of overall development of Jharkhand.
Amid uproar by the Opposition, Das presented the Finance Budget 2010-11 of Rs 22,297.59 crore where he sought Rs 11,993.18 crore and Rs 10,304.44 crore respectively under non-plan and plan head.
Announcing that the State Government was determined to accelerate Gross Domestic Product of Jharkhand to 10 per cent; Das was confronted with another greater challenge to limit the loss to the State Exchequer by 2.50 per cent. He said that the Government is expecting the growth of the per capita income by Rs 30,000.
The State Government tried to show its concern for aam admi and announced to lower down the taxes and complete exemption of the taxes on nearly 16 items.
The Government exempted rice, wheat, onion, potato and some other items, including footwear made of rubber and plastic, solar battery, henna, snacks produced by the cottage industry, from tax.
The Finance Minister announced to lower down VAT on helmet, motor parts, sweets, salty snacks and ice-cream from 12.5 to 4 per cent. The State Government also gave some respite to the petroleum dealers by lowering VAT on diesel from 20 per cent 18.
Later at a Press conference, the Minister accepted that large heartedness will incur loss to the State exchequer. “But we have decided to explore other sources of income and create atmosphere for the more revenue generation to compensate it,” he said.
The Government tried to exhibit a fine balancing act between agriculture and industry. Though, there was no word over how the Government plans to create an atmosphere for industrial development and investment in Jharkhand except ‘Single Window System’ and ‘Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Authority.’
There was a grumble in the industrial sector after Das did not carry any candy for industry to please. In fact the department of industry got a paltry share in allocation 1.28 per cent of the total layout.
“Agriculture”, Das said, “constitute the bedrock of the development of the State. If I get a chance to rule the sky I will pluck all the stars to give it the State.” He read out a couplet to show his seriousness to develop agriculture.
The Minister announced to start several measures for effective marketing of the agricultural products, investments and creating employment opportunity in agriculture.
Insurance for farmers, Tilka Manjhi Krishi Pump Yojna, fish farmers’ credit card, lowering down interest rate of the Kishan Credit Card from 7 per cent to 4 per cent under some given condition and special operation in 15 districts to improve the cultivation of pulses under National Food Security Mission were some other measures; Das tried to please the farmers.
Das said the Government planned 5 per cent growth rate in the agriculture sector. He dedicated Rs 260 crore for the development of agriculture. But the Opposition was not happy. “Budget is a finely worded fraud on the people specially farmers…no solid commitments and plan on how to help poor farmers from the debt trap since after Jharkhand has been passing through a tumults phase of draught. The government instead cut down the budgetary allocation of some of the key departments that are directly associated with farmers and rural sector,” Congress leader Sukhdeo Bhagat countered.
The Budget earmarked Rs 475 crore for irrigation and announced to expand the total irrigated area up to 57,085 hectares in the next fiscal year. Rs 1,000 for rural development, 80000 new vacancies, direct recruitment to matriculated tribal candidates in the job, special training to the rural youths, Rs 70 crore for conducting elections of Panchyat Raj institution were the part of the Budget.
Institution like National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and its execution remained the key concern of the government. Hence, Das announced Rs 2500 crore for NREGA.
Under urban development Das announced to prepare feasibility report for metro rail projects in major towns of Jharkhand. He also announced new flyovers, proper drainage and others.
He announced to open 300 new schools in Jharkhand, medical colleges on the basis of public-private-partnership in Bokaro and Ghatsila, new ITI and women polytechnic institutes and others were announced by Das.
Cong calls Budget unreal, window dressing
Cong calls Budget unreal, window dressing
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Rubbishing the State Government’s claim of a good Budget, the Congress on Saturday criticised the budgetary proposals.
The State Congress gave the Budget three different names: Unreal, window dressing and a document of inflated estimates. The party criticised the Government for not making special provisions to meet the famine-like conditions in Jharkhand. “It can not be called a real Budget. It is not going to benefit the people. The Govern-ment has no vision for the development of Jharkhand,” senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore said at a Press conference.
He slammed Finance Minister Raghuwar Das claims to present downsized non-planned Budget only to cloak fiscal deficit and revenue loss. Kishore said that the budget is based on inflated claim of the government to collect revenues in the next financial year 2010-11. “But the records of the past budgets and the revenue colleted therein suggests that the successive governments have failed to meet the target,” Kishore cautioned.
Kishore also disputed the claim of the Finance Minister Raghuwar Das that the government was serious about rural economy. The state government has made a provision of Rs 260 crore for agriculture this time in comparison with the last budget where the amount was Rs 200 crore.
“While the Government was barely able to spend merely 40 per cent of the total budgetary allocation in the past budget…now on the basis of additional Rs 60 crore the government has been claiming to achieve five percent growth rate in the agricultural product.”
He also ridiculed Das’ explore feasibility of metro rail project in Jharkhand.
“While the successive Governments have not been able to start ring road project in Ranchi, Das has been selling a false dream,” Kishore said.
Stating that the announcements made by Das, including opening of 300 new schools and generating 80,000 employment opportunities in Jharkhand, Kishore doubted that announcements would hardly graduate beyond the Budget speech.
Kishore was flanked by senior party leader Sukhdeo Bhagat who termed it a false claim of
the Finance Minister. Bhagat said that the Government has only been making tall claims, “despite 5,000 posts of teachers lying vacant”. Over the proposed mass employments in the current financial year, he wondered: “Government announced but made no provision in the budget.”
Bhagat also criticised the Budget for not making any provision for the university and college teachers for their revised salary under the Sixth Pay Commission report.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Rubbishing the State Government’s claim of a good Budget, the Congress on Saturday criticised the budgetary proposals.
The State Congress gave the Budget three different names: Unreal, window dressing and a document of inflated estimates. The party criticised the Government for not making special provisions to meet the famine-like conditions in Jharkhand. “It can not be called a real Budget. It is not going to benefit the people. The Govern-ment has no vision for the development of Jharkhand,” senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore said at a Press conference.
He slammed Finance Minister Raghuwar Das claims to present downsized non-planned Budget only to cloak fiscal deficit and revenue loss. Kishore said that the budget is based on inflated claim of the government to collect revenues in the next financial year 2010-11. “But the records of the past budgets and the revenue colleted therein suggests that the successive governments have failed to meet the target,” Kishore cautioned.
Kishore also disputed the claim of the Finance Minister Raghuwar Das that the government was serious about rural economy. The state government has made a provision of Rs 260 crore for agriculture this time in comparison with the last budget where the amount was Rs 200 crore.
“While the Government was barely able to spend merely 40 per cent of the total budgetary allocation in the past budget…now on the basis of additional Rs 60 crore the government has been claiming to achieve five percent growth rate in the agricultural product.”
He also ridiculed Das’ explore feasibility of metro rail project in Jharkhand.
“While the successive Governments have not been able to start ring road project in Ranchi, Das has been selling a false dream,” Kishore said.
Stating that the announcements made by Das, including opening of 300 new schools and generating 80,000 employment opportunities in Jharkhand, Kishore doubted that announcements would hardly graduate beyond the Budget speech.
Kishore was flanked by senior party leader Sukhdeo Bhagat who termed it a false claim of
the Finance Minister. Bhagat said that the Government has only been making tall claims, “despite 5,000 posts of teachers lying vacant”. Over the proposed mass employments in the current financial year, he wondered: “Government announced but made no provision in the budget.”
Bhagat also criticised the Budget for not making any provision for the university and college teachers for their revised salary under the Sixth Pay Commission report.
Saryu faces off Binod Sinha’s aide
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
RANCHI | Monday, March 8, 2010
Often not a Press conference over mega scam like the Madhu Koda and Co was interrupted by a person happens to be close to the kingpin of the scam. It happened on Saturday at a Press conference of BJP leader Saryu Rai.
“I have not been getting desired support from the BJP to raise the Madhu Koda scam issue. The same party had supported me during the fodder scam case in Bihar…”
Rai had hardly concluded his statement --- yet to demand a CBI inquiry ---- when a man sitting in the last row suddenly rose up to interrupt him. Interruption came from Soubhik Chattopadhya, a key associate of Binod Sinha, kingpin of the Madhu Koda scam.
Rai had called this Press conference to counter the sting operation allegedly carried on High Court lawyer Ritu Kumar by Chattopadhya with the help of standing council of Jharkhand Government Rajendra Krishna and others. Ritu Kumar is the counsel of Durga Oraon, who had filed public interest litigation against former Jharkhand Chief Minister and others.
In the alleged CD, the lawyer has been allured for accepting Rs 20 lakh as a bribe to tone down the cases against the culprits.
During the Press conference, Rai repeatedly named Chattopadhya for hatching conspiracy against whistleblowers of this case to scuttle the probe. He even provided transcript of the conversation of the CD to support his claim.
“I am Soubhik Chattopadhya, the man you have been naming so frequently. You have your vested interest in this matter and you are politicising it for your own benefit,” Chattopadhya startled everybody by his presence. Allegation and counter allegation started flying from both the sides.
“You agent (expletive deleted) of imposters! Who called you in this Press conference? “Do you think I belong to the bunch of those lawyers,” read Rajendra Krishna, “whom you can purchase. Kick him out. Go away you ***” Rai made an angry retort.
He alleged that like Ritu Kumar the nexus involved in scam are now trying to implicate him also.
The man was taken out of the premises. But before this he was surrounded by wolf packed media to get a bite. And there was a parallel Press conference where Chattopadhya spent payloads of allegations against Rai and some others.
Later Chattopadhya’s close associates alleged manhandling by supporters of Rai outside of the conference hall. “He has been admitted in the Raj Hospital. He suffered injury on the head,” said one of the close associates of Chattopadhya.
Rai resumed from where he was interrupted. “I will continue my crusade against corruption even after my party flinches back from supporting me. I have met central BJP leaders to persuade them to raise this matter at national level.”
But there seems to be no taker in the State BJP to support his demand for a CBI inquiry of the case under supervision of the High Court of Jharkhand. The State Government where the BJP is a key partner has already refused to hand over the case to the CBI stating that the State vigilance department was competent enough to investigate it.
“I feel pity for those,” Rai obliquely referred to Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das and Rajya Sabha MP SS Ahluwaliya, “who believe that State vigilance department can handle such mega scam which has roots in the foreign countries.”
Rai also charged Enforcement Directorate for not handling the case properly. “Things are managed in such a way to help accuses of the case like Manoj Punamiya to get relief from the high court…I had unearthed this scam and I demand CBI inquiry.”
BJP leadership is wrapped in silence now after using its lungs power to demand a CBI probe during Assembly elections. Then the BJP was in the Opposition. It is the BJP in the power now.
RANCHI | Monday, March 8, 2010
Often not a Press conference over mega scam like the Madhu Koda and Co was interrupted by a person happens to be close to the kingpin of the scam. It happened on Saturday at a Press conference of BJP leader Saryu Rai.
“I have not been getting desired support from the BJP to raise the Madhu Koda scam issue. The same party had supported me during the fodder scam case in Bihar…”
Rai had hardly concluded his statement --- yet to demand a CBI inquiry ---- when a man sitting in the last row suddenly rose up to interrupt him. Interruption came from Soubhik Chattopadhya, a key associate of Binod Sinha, kingpin of the Madhu Koda scam.
Rai had called this Press conference to counter the sting operation allegedly carried on High Court lawyer Ritu Kumar by Chattopadhya with the help of standing council of Jharkhand Government Rajendra Krishna and others. Ritu Kumar is the counsel of Durga Oraon, who had filed public interest litigation against former Jharkhand Chief Minister and others.
In the alleged CD, the lawyer has been allured for accepting Rs 20 lakh as a bribe to tone down the cases against the culprits.
During the Press conference, Rai repeatedly named Chattopadhya for hatching conspiracy against whistleblowers of this case to scuttle the probe. He even provided transcript of the conversation of the CD to support his claim.
“I am Soubhik Chattopadhya, the man you have been naming so frequently. You have your vested interest in this matter and you are politicising it for your own benefit,” Chattopadhya startled everybody by his presence. Allegation and counter allegation started flying from both the sides.
“You agent (expletive deleted) of imposters! Who called you in this Press conference? “Do you think I belong to the bunch of those lawyers,” read Rajendra Krishna, “whom you can purchase. Kick him out. Go away you ***” Rai made an angry retort.
He alleged that like Ritu Kumar the nexus involved in scam are now trying to implicate him also.
The man was taken out of the premises. But before this he was surrounded by wolf packed media to get a bite. And there was a parallel Press conference where Chattopadhya spent payloads of allegations against Rai and some others.
Later Chattopadhya’s close associates alleged manhandling by supporters of Rai outside of the conference hall. “He has been admitted in the Raj Hospital. He suffered injury on the head,” said one of the close associates of Chattopadhya.
Rai resumed from where he was interrupted. “I will continue my crusade against corruption even after my party flinches back from supporting me. I have met central BJP leaders to persuade them to raise this matter at national level.”
But there seems to be no taker in the State BJP to support his demand for a CBI inquiry of the case under supervision of the High Court of Jharkhand. The State Government where the BJP is a key partner has already refused to hand over the case to the CBI stating that the State vigilance department was competent enough to investigate it.
“I feel pity for those,” Rai obliquely referred to Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das and Rajya Sabha MP SS Ahluwaliya, “who believe that State vigilance department can handle such mega scam which has roots in the foreign countries.”
Rai also charged Enforcement Directorate for not handling the case properly. “Things are managed in such a way to help accuses of the case like Manoj Punamiya to get relief from the high court…I had unearthed this scam and I demand CBI inquiry.”
BJP leadership is wrapped in silence now after using its lungs power to demand a CBI probe during Assembly elections. Then the BJP was in the Opposition. It is the BJP in the power now.
Opp runs parallel session
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Although the Jharkhand Assembly seems to have started on an optimistic note on Wednesday morning, it lost no time in reaching the complete anarchy as soon as the session began. The House witnessed uproar of the Opposition that forced Speaker CP Singh to adjourn the proceedings of the House thrice at 12:05 pm, 12:45pm and finally at 2 pm.
The Opposition led by Vinod Singh (CPI)ML, Pradeep Yadav, Phoolchand Mandal, Nirbhay Sahabadi and Samresh Singh, all from the JVM, and KN Tripathy of the Congress tried to bring an adjournment motion to discuss and demand CBI inquiries into the corruption cases in Jharkhand. The demand for the motion was rejected by Speaker CP Singh.
The drama inside the Assembly reached a climax with the start of the session. And the irked Opposition rushed to the well; sat there to start a parallel session. The Opposition chose Samresh Singh as the Speaker of that parallel session. Singh perhaps tried to copy one unruly scene of Parliament last day and kicked a chair to symbolise a fiery Opposition this time.
Both the Treasury Bench and the Opposition held two separate Press conferences to accuse each others. The Speaker repeated appeal often lost in high octane sloganeering of the Opposition. “Down with the Government supporting corrupts elements. Corruption cases be investigated by the CBI,” Pradeep Yadav, Congress MLA Banna Gupta and others continuously raised slogans.
The appeal of the Speaker went unheard by the Opposition and the treasury bench and often allowed their tongues to sting their opponent with earthy adjectives.
The agitated treasury reciprocated the slogan shouting. “Chor machaye sore…chore chore mausera bhai.” In turn Gupta demanded a CBI probe of the Tata lease issue.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren was watching the theatrics motionless and the Opposition continued to prod him to give statement whether his Government agreed to recommend for a CBI inquiry of the corruption cases including the Madhu Koda scam.
At one point of time, Soren thought to stand to give statement but sank to his seat only to allow Das to mount assault on the Opposition.
“Your Prime Minister is the man of clean image. This corruption case has its roots in the foreign countries also. Why do not you ask your Prime Minister to involve Interpol to investigate the case?” Das said.
The Opposition did not allow the House to run which was adjourned till 12:45 and witnessed similar commotion when it was adjourned till 2pm.
Soon after the high voltage drama, Das, along with Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato and the HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu, held a joint press conference.
“The Opposition is anti-development…it has no issue and the act of the Opposition in
the House is discouraging,” Das slammed the opposition, adding, “Government has not
slackened its stand against corruption.”
Das reworded what he had said inside the House that vigilance department is competent enough to probe this case. He demanded that the diary of Koda that allegedly contains the names of some of the Congress leaders be made public.
The leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Singh, Pradeep Yadav, RJD MLA Annapurna Devi and Vinod Singh held another Press conference to counter the allegation of the Treasury Bench.
“We are not allowed to read the adjournment motion. We wanted a debate on the corruption issue in Jharkhand and demand CBI inquiries into all these cases, including Koda issue,” the Opposition charged the Government with not running the House in a democratic manner.
They claimed that the fear of noose around their neck is stopping the BJP and the JMM from recommending CBI inquiries.
In the Opposition, there was an unexciting audience --- Gita Koda, the wife of Madhu Koda, --- who did not react even to say ‘down the Government’ even for the sake Opposition’s unity.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Although the Jharkhand Assembly seems to have started on an optimistic note on Wednesday morning, it lost no time in reaching the complete anarchy as soon as the session began. The House witnessed uproar of the Opposition that forced Speaker CP Singh to adjourn the proceedings of the House thrice at 12:05 pm, 12:45pm and finally at 2 pm.
The Opposition led by Vinod Singh (CPI)ML, Pradeep Yadav, Phoolchand Mandal, Nirbhay Sahabadi and Samresh Singh, all from the JVM, and KN Tripathy of the Congress tried to bring an adjournment motion to discuss and demand CBI inquiries into the corruption cases in Jharkhand. The demand for the motion was rejected by Speaker CP Singh.
The drama inside the Assembly reached a climax with the start of the session. And the irked Opposition rushed to the well; sat there to start a parallel session. The Opposition chose Samresh Singh as the Speaker of that parallel session. Singh perhaps tried to copy one unruly scene of Parliament last day and kicked a chair to symbolise a fiery Opposition this time.
Both the Treasury Bench and the Opposition held two separate Press conferences to accuse each others. The Speaker repeated appeal often lost in high octane sloganeering of the Opposition. “Down with the Government supporting corrupts elements. Corruption cases be investigated by the CBI,” Pradeep Yadav, Congress MLA Banna Gupta and others continuously raised slogans.
The appeal of the Speaker went unheard by the Opposition and the treasury bench and often allowed their tongues to sting their opponent with earthy adjectives.
The agitated treasury reciprocated the slogan shouting. “Chor machaye sore…chore chore mausera bhai.” In turn Gupta demanded a CBI probe of the Tata lease issue.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren was watching the theatrics motionless and the Opposition continued to prod him to give statement whether his Government agreed to recommend for a CBI inquiry of the corruption cases including the Madhu Koda scam.
At one point of time, Soren thought to stand to give statement but sank to his seat only to allow Das to mount assault on the Opposition.
“Your Prime Minister is the man of clean image. This corruption case has its roots in the foreign countries also. Why do not you ask your Prime Minister to involve Interpol to investigate the case?” Das said.
The Opposition did not allow the House to run which was adjourned till 12:45 and witnessed similar commotion when it was adjourned till 2pm.
Soon after the high voltage drama, Das, along with Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato and the HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu, held a joint press conference.
“The Opposition is anti-development…it has no issue and the act of the Opposition in
the House is discouraging,” Das slammed the opposition, adding, “Government has not
slackened its stand against corruption.”
Das reworded what he had said inside the House that vigilance department is competent enough to probe this case. He demanded that the diary of Koda that allegedly contains the names of some of the Congress leaders be made public.
The leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Singh, Pradeep Yadav, RJD MLA Annapurna Devi and Vinod Singh held another Press conference to counter the allegation of the Treasury Bench.
“We are not allowed to read the adjournment motion. We wanted a debate on the corruption issue in Jharkhand and demand CBI inquiries into all these cases, including Koda issue,” the Opposition charged the Government with not running the House in a democratic manner.
They claimed that the fear of noose around their neck is stopping the BJP and the JMM from recommending CBI inquiries.
In the Opposition, there was an unexciting audience --- Gita Koda, the wife of Madhu Koda, --- who did not react even to say ‘down the Government’ even for the sake Opposition’s unity.
Minister fumbles, Opp levels serious charge
Minister fumbles, Opp levels serious charge
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
She could not have been nervous, but improper briefing and lack of information probably made the Minister for Social Welfare, Woman and Child Development, Sudha Chaudhary, to be so.
Chaudhary rose to reply the Opposition’s charge of loopholes in her department during the Budget speech, but her 15-minute speech gave many causes for consternation among the Opposition.
She rose to read out the Progress Report 2009-10 and Work plan report 2010-11 of her department. Before this, the Opposition had collected sufficient ammunition to blast her claims.
Among various welfare projects of her department, she read out: “The department has been providing Rs 900 to each student of the blind school of Ranchi.”
Chaudhary could not anticipate that Speaker CP Singh was ready with a few papers to make her nervous. “Mantriji are you sure that the students of blind school are paid the said amount as mentioned in the report?” Singh said.
“Yes Sir,” the Minister made a bold claim.
“I have received a letter from the principal of the school…the principal says that only Rs 500 are paid against each student. He has requested me to increase the amount,” Singh waved the letter.
The Opposition lost no time to condemn the Minister. JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav demanded an ‘all party probe’ to fix responsibility of the officials and even rushed to the well of the House for quite some times.
Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das and party MLAs, the Minister lost her nerves. Das came to defend her but the Opposition relented only after the Government announced to hold an inquiry into the matter by secretary-level officials.
Even in the first half of the session, Chaudhary was gasping for a suitable reply when Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey said that the school has been running without power for the past 16 months.
But that was not the end of the admonition by the Opposition. There was yet another episode of her agony when she stood to reply other charges of corruption against CDPOs of the department.
Madhavlal Singh (Congress), Annapurna Devi and Sanjay Singh Yadav of the RJD raised the matter of the corruption in the appointments of the helpers for different welfare projects of the Government, including Anganwari.
Stating that CDPOs are beyond the control of the Government, the Opposition accused them of taking bribes for the appointments of the helpers. The Opposition even blamed CDPOs for siphoning off money meant for welfare projects.
Everything was fine till the Minister assured to probe the allegation and sought support of the MLAs to run the projects. Chaudhary, however, added that due consent is taken of the MP, MLA and the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned area in the appointment of helpers.
The Opposition protested her statement with high pitched sloganeering often rushing to the well of the House. She continued to stick to her statement. “Please try to understand…she is the first-time MLA. She has become a Minister for the first time…perhaps she might not be aware of this. Please consider it…let her finish,” the Speaker appealed the House.
The Minister was as nervous as a rookie conductor asked to lead a mega philharmonic concert with little knowledge of music.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
She could not have been nervous, but improper briefing and lack of information probably made the Minister for Social Welfare, Woman and Child Development, Sudha Chaudhary, to be so.
Chaudhary rose to reply the Opposition’s charge of loopholes in her department during the Budget speech, but her 15-minute speech gave many causes for consternation among the Opposition.
She rose to read out the Progress Report 2009-10 and Work plan report 2010-11 of her department. Before this, the Opposition had collected sufficient ammunition to blast her claims.
Among various welfare projects of her department, she read out: “The department has been providing Rs 900 to each student of the blind school of Ranchi.”
Chaudhary could not anticipate that Speaker CP Singh was ready with a few papers to make her nervous. “Mantriji are you sure that the students of blind school are paid the said amount as mentioned in the report?” Singh said.
“Yes Sir,” the Minister made a bold claim.
“I have received a letter from the principal of the school…the principal says that only Rs 500 are paid against each student. He has requested me to increase the amount,” Singh waved the letter.
The Opposition lost no time to condemn the Minister. JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav demanded an ‘all party probe’ to fix responsibility of the officials and even rushed to the well of the House for quite some times.
Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das and party MLAs, the Minister lost her nerves. Das came to defend her but the Opposition relented only after the Government announced to hold an inquiry into the matter by secretary-level officials.
Even in the first half of the session, Chaudhary was gasping for a suitable reply when Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey said that the school has been running without power for the past 16 months.
But that was not the end of the admonition by the Opposition. There was yet another episode of her agony when she stood to reply other charges of corruption against CDPOs of the department.
Madhavlal Singh (Congress), Annapurna Devi and Sanjay Singh Yadav of the RJD raised the matter of the corruption in the appointments of the helpers for different welfare projects of the Government, including Anganwari.
Stating that CDPOs are beyond the control of the Government, the Opposition accused them of taking bribes for the appointments of the helpers. The Opposition even blamed CDPOs for siphoning off money meant for welfare projects.
Everything was fine till the Minister assured to probe the allegation and sought support of the MLAs to run the projects. Chaudhary, however, added that due consent is taken of the MP, MLA and the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned area in the appointment of helpers.
The Opposition protested her statement with high pitched sloganeering often rushing to the well of the House. She continued to stick to her statement. “Please try to understand…she is the first-time MLA. She has become a Minister for the first time…perhaps she might not be aware of this. Please consider it…let her finish,” the Speaker appealed the House.
The Minister was as nervous as a rookie conductor asked to lead a mega philharmonic concert with little knowledge of music.
Now, Welfare Minister stumbles
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
| Saturday, March 13, 2010
Welfare Minister Hazi Hussain was red faced when he was caught furnishing wrong information to the Assembly. The claim of Ansari boomeranged during the Budget session on Friday when he said that the State Government has, so far; distributed Rs 7,40,80,000 as gratuitous relief among 1.9 lakh families.
JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav, who raised this matter during Question Hour, was quick to challenge the Minister. He claimed none of the family in Jharkhand has received the amount under ‘dire need of immediate sustenance’ as claimed by the Minister.
The Minister, however, was fine to elaborate the scheme under the head of ‘disaster management’ where the State Government provides financial assistance of Rs 400 to each family. But his claim to have provided the relief raised a bout of protest of the Opposition.
JVM MLA Samresh Singh got yet another opportunity to jump in the Well of the House while the rest resorted to sloganeering calling Minister’s claim ‘a big lie on pious Friday.’
Even Assembly Speaker CP Singh was not happy with the way the ministers of the Government has been coming in the House ill-prepared and ill-informed.
“Please be well-informed when you come to face the House,” Ansari received professional admonition from the Speaker. And the Minister was left wondering.
It, nevertheless, did not help to assuage the Opposition which unremittingly hooted the Minister. The Treasury was meekly conceded that minister’s claim held no ground.
Intervening in the matter, Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das assured the House to ensure the distribution of gratuitous amount within one month. It for the second consecutive day when the first-time ministers of the Shibu Soren Government were caught for briefing the House with false or unsupported data.
| Saturday, March 13, 2010
Welfare Minister Hazi Hussain was red faced when he was caught furnishing wrong information to the Assembly. The claim of Ansari boomeranged during the Budget session on Friday when he said that the State Government has, so far; distributed Rs 7,40,80,000 as gratuitous relief among 1.9 lakh families.
JVM MLA Pradeep Yadav, who raised this matter during Question Hour, was quick to challenge the Minister. He claimed none of the family in Jharkhand has received the amount under ‘dire need of immediate sustenance’ as claimed by the Minister.
The Minister, however, was fine to elaborate the scheme under the head of ‘disaster management’ where the State Government provides financial assistance of Rs 400 to each family. But his claim to have provided the relief raised a bout of protest of the Opposition.
JVM MLA Samresh Singh got yet another opportunity to jump in the Well of the House while the rest resorted to sloganeering calling Minister’s claim ‘a big lie on pious Friday.’
Even Assembly Speaker CP Singh was not happy with the way the ministers of the Government has been coming in the House ill-prepared and ill-informed.
“Please be well-informed when you come to face the House,” Ansari received professional admonition from the Speaker. And the Minister was left wondering.
It, nevertheless, did not help to assuage the Opposition which unremittingly hooted the Minister. The Treasury was meekly conceded that minister’s claim held no ground.
Intervening in the matter, Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das assured the House to ensure the distribution of gratuitous amount within one month. It for the second consecutive day when the first-time ministers of the Shibu Soren Government were caught for briefing the House with false or unsupported data.
House raps JVM MLA for slur on Speaker
House raps JVM MLA for slur on Speaker
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Treasury Bench condemned the unsavoury remark of JVM MLA Samresh Singh flung at Assembly Speaker CP Singh during the Budget session on Monday.
On being denied a call attention motion, a peeved Samresh pointed finger at the Speaker and said: "You do not***to be…" and the House plunged in commotion.
Deputy Chief Ministers Raghuwar Das and Sudesh Mahato, along with others, demanded unconditional apology from him. Visibly upset CP Singh condemned the behaviour of Samresh: "Cannot you adopt some other way to make your point…you jump in the Well. You tear paper. Is this the way?"
The Treasury Bench continued to raise slogans alleging that Samresh came to Assembly only to disturb the Budget session.
His statement was expunged and Samresh expressed regret over his behaviour. However, Samresh fetched little support even from his party MLAs, including Pradeeep Yadav.
Later on, Samresh said: "The Speaker is pro-BJP and pro-Government and I am answerable to my people who elected me and not to the Speaker."
He wanted to raise the issue of the custodial death of a person a few years back whose kith and kin were not given compensation despite the announcement of the Government.
But it was not the only issue that rocked the House. Before the start of the session, the Opposition raised slogans against the State Government for not recommending a CBI investigation into corruption cases. They displayed placards demanding a CBI investigation.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren remained absent from the session even after he had to face the House during 'Chief Minister's question hour.'
The Government erred again during the second half of the session when it moved to seek a debate over Institutional Finance Report without putting it before the House. The Opposition stalled the move of the Government and termed it as the breach of the privilege of the House. Later on, the Government dropped the move.
Similar uproar was reported outside the Assembly, where hundreds of Congress workers were struggling to assert their role as the Opposition.
"This Government is anti-people and it has no mandate to rule. The Government has no vision and has duel character," leaders lashed on the NDA-JMM-AJSU Government.
Participating in the demonstration were State Congress co-incharge Abdul Mannan, State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu, senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore, leader of the Opposition Rajendra Singh, along with Congress MLAs, party media incharge Sailesh Sinha, Alok Dubey, Rakesh Sinha, Ajay Rai and others.
"We are demonstrating against the State Government as a part of our commitment towards the people," Balmuchu said.
The party accused the Government of having dual faces over price hike issue. "In New Delhi, BJP MPs walk out from Parliament against price hike of commodities and petroleum products. In Jharkhand, they increase VAT on diesel. People will soon divorce this Government," former Congress MLA Sukhdeo Bhagat said.
Kishore on the other hand blamed the Government hands-in-glove with the Maoists in the wake of the operation Green Hunt in Jharkhand. "Chief Minister Shibu Soren is not willing to continue this operation so why he has been giving misleading statements over this," Kishore said.
He was referring to the statement where Soren claimed that the State Government was not taken in confidence before launching this operation.
Congress prominently raised four issues. It demanded to declare Jharkhand famine-hit, CBI investigation of the corruption charges, early Panchyat election, roll back of VAT on diesel prices, payment of insurance money to the farmers and early relief.
Congress leaders must have returned home wondering over poor turn out of crowd.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Treasury Bench condemned the unsavoury remark of JVM MLA Samresh Singh flung at Assembly Speaker CP Singh during the Budget session on Monday.
On being denied a call attention motion, a peeved Samresh pointed finger at the Speaker and said: "You do not***to be…" and the House plunged in commotion.
Deputy Chief Ministers Raghuwar Das and Sudesh Mahato, along with others, demanded unconditional apology from him. Visibly upset CP Singh condemned the behaviour of Samresh: "Cannot you adopt some other way to make your point…you jump in the Well. You tear paper. Is this the way?"
The Treasury Bench continued to raise slogans alleging that Samresh came to Assembly only to disturb the Budget session.
His statement was expunged and Samresh expressed regret over his behaviour. However, Samresh fetched little support even from his party MLAs, including Pradeeep Yadav.
Later on, Samresh said: "The Speaker is pro-BJP and pro-Government and I am answerable to my people who elected me and not to the Speaker."
He wanted to raise the issue of the custodial death of a person a few years back whose kith and kin were not given compensation despite the announcement of the Government.
But it was not the only issue that rocked the House. Before the start of the session, the Opposition raised slogans against the State Government for not recommending a CBI investigation into corruption cases. They displayed placards demanding a CBI investigation.
Chief Minister Shibu Soren remained absent from the session even after he had to face the House during 'Chief Minister's question hour.'
The Government erred again during the second half of the session when it moved to seek a debate over Institutional Finance Report without putting it before the House. The Opposition stalled the move of the Government and termed it as the breach of the privilege of the House. Later on, the Government dropped the move.
Similar uproar was reported outside the Assembly, where hundreds of Congress workers were struggling to assert their role as the Opposition.
"This Government is anti-people and it has no mandate to rule. The Government has no vision and has duel character," leaders lashed on the NDA-JMM-AJSU Government.
Participating in the demonstration were State Congress co-incharge Abdul Mannan, State Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu, senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Kishore, leader of the Opposition Rajendra Singh, along with Congress MLAs, party media incharge Sailesh Sinha, Alok Dubey, Rakesh Sinha, Ajay Rai and others.
"We are demonstrating against the State Government as a part of our commitment towards the people," Balmuchu said.
The party accused the Government of having dual faces over price hike issue. "In New Delhi, BJP MPs walk out from Parliament against price hike of commodities and petroleum products. In Jharkhand, they increase VAT on diesel. People will soon divorce this Government," former Congress MLA Sukhdeo Bhagat said.
Kishore on the other hand blamed the Government hands-in-glove with the Maoists in the wake of the operation Green Hunt in Jharkhand. "Chief Minister Shibu Soren is not willing to continue this operation so why he has been giving misleading statements over this," Kishore said.
He was referring to the statement where Soren claimed that the State Government was not taken in confidence before launching this operation.
Congress prominently raised four issues. It demanded to declare Jharkhand famine-hit, CBI investigation of the corruption charges, early Panchyat election, roll back of VAT on diesel prices, payment of insurance money to the farmers and early relief.
Congress leaders must have returned home wondering over poor turn out of crowd.
Govt to review works done under President’s Rule
Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Jharkhand Government on Friday said that it did not agree with all the decisions taken by the State administration during the President's Rule. The Government would review those decisions, said Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das in a reply to JVM leader Pradeep Yadav's question.
"No work, actually, took place during 11 months of the President's Rule in Jharkhand and the State Government will review the decisions taken during this period," Das said.
Yadav, during the Question Hour, had raised the issue of the 'Technical Employment Exchange' in Jharkhand which he said "has failed to cater employment for the people who enrolled themselves with the exchange."
From 2002 to till now, around 9,352 people with technical qualifications had enrolled themselves with the exchange. In 2009, the State Government published only eight vacancies of the technical posts despite of the fact that a lot of technical posts are lying vacant.
Seeking action against the officials concerned, the JVM leader said that only two candidates were selected out of 237 eligible.
Das rose to defend his Cabinet colleague Umakant Rajak, who holds the portfolio of Labour and Employment, and shifted the blame of the failure of the department on the previous Government. He said that the State Government was not in agreement with the decisions taken by the then Government.
Das was challenged by Yadav, who wanted to know whether the State Government gave clean chit to the previous Government. "No, we cannot give clean chit to the President's Rule and want review," Das said.
In his reply Rajak informed the Assembly that the department was going to hold a two-days long job fair starting from March 27.
The Opposition also raised the issue of the para-medicals in Jharkhand who have resorted to hunger strike from the past four days. Congress MLA KN Tripathy wanted to know whether the State Government has any plan to regularise their service. Tripathy claimed that around 4000 post of the para-medics have been lying vacant in Jharkhand from the past eight years and the State Government has enrolled only 1,513 para-medics on the contractual basis.
In his reply, Health Minister Vaidyanath Ram expressed the willingness of the State Government to regularise their service. "The State Government is in the process to form a Para-Medical Council and file has been put before the Law department to obtain its view. Once the council is formed the state government will hold examination…to kick start the process of appointment," he said.
JVM MLA Nizamuddin Ansari and Vinod Singh of the CPI (ML) jointly raised the issue of the primary health-care centre of Balhata block under Giridih district which has been running without doctor and medical staff from the past couple of years. Speaker CP Singh intervened in the matter and asked the Government to seek status report from Giridih DC.
Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Jharkhand Government on Friday said that it did not agree with all the decisions taken by the State administration during the President's Rule. The Government would review those decisions, said Deputy Chief Minister Raghuwar Das in a reply to JVM leader Pradeep Yadav's question.
"No work, actually, took place during 11 months of the President's Rule in Jharkhand and the State Government will review the decisions taken during this period," Das said.
Yadav, during the Question Hour, had raised the issue of the 'Technical Employment Exchange' in Jharkhand which he said "has failed to cater employment for the people who enrolled themselves with the exchange."
From 2002 to till now, around 9,352 people with technical qualifications had enrolled themselves with the exchange. In 2009, the State Government published only eight vacancies of the technical posts despite of the fact that a lot of technical posts are lying vacant.
Seeking action against the officials concerned, the JVM leader said that only two candidates were selected out of 237 eligible.
Das rose to defend his Cabinet colleague Umakant Rajak, who holds the portfolio of Labour and Employment, and shifted the blame of the failure of the department on the previous Government. He said that the State Government was not in agreement with the decisions taken by the then Government.
Das was challenged by Yadav, who wanted to know whether the State Government gave clean chit to the previous Government. "No, we cannot give clean chit to the President's Rule and want review," Das said.
In his reply Rajak informed the Assembly that the department was going to hold a two-days long job fair starting from March 27.
The Opposition also raised the issue of the para-medicals in Jharkhand who have resorted to hunger strike from the past four days. Congress MLA KN Tripathy wanted to know whether the State Government has any plan to regularise their service. Tripathy claimed that around 4000 post of the para-medics have been lying vacant in Jharkhand from the past eight years and the State Government has enrolled only 1,513 para-medics on the contractual basis.
In his reply, Health Minister Vaidyanath Ram expressed the willingness of the State Government to regularise their service. "The State Government is in the process to form a Para-Medical Council and file has been put before the Law department to obtain its view. Once the council is formed the state government will hold examination…to kick start the process of appointment," he said.
JVM MLA Nizamuddin Ansari and Vinod Singh of the CPI (ML) jointly raised the issue of the primary health-care centre of Balhata block under Giridih district which has been running without doctor and medical staff from the past couple of years. Speaker CP Singh intervened in the matter and asked the Government to seek status report from Giridih DC.
Maoists hold officials hostage for 3 hours
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Additional district magistrate of Latehar Shravan Sai and three other officials of the district administration were kept hostage by the CPI (Maoist) for three hours in Latehar, on Saturday.
The incident took place around 1pm at Bandhuwa village under Manika block where the officials had gone to inspect the progress of the work under the NREGA scheme.
“All four officials, including Sai, Helin Bhengra (Executive Engineer of Road Construction Dept), District Dairy Officer Vinod Kumar Singh, Saryu Ram of the Special Division REO and the peon Kiran Oraon were released by the Naxalites around 4pm,” Kuldeep Dwivedi, SP Latehar said.
An eyewitness narrating the incident said that around 1 pm, four suspected Naxalites on two motorbikes — in civil and police dress — reached a middle school where the officials were discussing about the rural development projects.
“Two Maoists in plainclothes entered the room and asked the officials to come out. Pushing them in a Tata Sumo, the Maoists moved to an unknown location. The incident was brought to the notice by a village- level employee who escaped notice by the Naxalites while sneaking from the place,” the eyewitness said.
The vehicles of the officials JH03B 0127and JH03C 0538 lay abandoned.
Dwivedi claimed that the police had cordoned the area of operation of Yadav, which forced the CPI (Maoist) cadres to set the officials free. They were released at a place nearly two kilometers away from the spot of the crime.
Sources said that the group involved held the ADM and others hostage to protest malpractices in the government-run scheme.
They were released following an assurance that the problems/wrongs would be corrected. The officials were taken to the block office of Manika after their release.
Meanwhile, forces have been deployed to hunt down Naxalites in the area. In the last two weeks after Operation Green Hunt against the red ultras commenced, suspected Naxalites have abducted nearly 10 officials and people.
Meanwhile, human rights activists and intellectuals, including Ramdayal Munda, NRGEA activist Jen Drej, Dr Vandana Shiva, Professor BP Kesri and 40 others, have appealed to the government to halt the operation, which they said, will result in collateral damage for the tribals.
“Innocents get trampled upon and disaffection spreads, things turn counter-productive,” they appealed.
As the security forces launch Operation Green Hunt, intelligence agencies have warned the government that armed Naxalites were ready with their offensive, including abductions of officials, in response to the first security thrust into their strongholds.
Intelligence inputs reaching from different parts of the State, suggest that a large number of Naxal cadres have deserted their bases to melt away into urban anonymity.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Additional district magistrate of Latehar Shravan Sai and three other officials of the district administration were kept hostage by the CPI (Maoist) for three hours in Latehar, on Saturday.
The incident took place around 1pm at Bandhuwa village under Manika block where the officials had gone to inspect the progress of the work under the NREGA scheme.
“All four officials, including Sai, Helin Bhengra (Executive Engineer of Road Construction Dept), District Dairy Officer Vinod Kumar Singh, Saryu Ram of the Special Division REO and the peon Kiran Oraon were released by the Naxalites around 4pm,” Kuldeep Dwivedi, SP Latehar said.
An eyewitness narrating the incident said that around 1 pm, four suspected Naxalites on two motorbikes — in civil and police dress — reached a middle school where the officials were discussing about the rural development projects.
“Two Maoists in plainclothes entered the room and asked the officials to come out. Pushing them in a Tata Sumo, the Maoists moved to an unknown location. The incident was brought to the notice by a village- level employee who escaped notice by the Naxalites while sneaking from the place,” the eyewitness said.
The vehicles of the officials JH03B 0127and JH03C 0538 lay abandoned.
Dwivedi claimed that the police had cordoned the area of operation of Yadav, which forced the CPI (Maoist) cadres to set the officials free. They were released at a place nearly two kilometers away from the spot of the crime.
Sources said that the group involved held the ADM and others hostage to protest malpractices in the government-run scheme.
They were released following an assurance that the problems/wrongs would be corrected. The officials were taken to the block office of Manika after their release.
Meanwhile, forces have been deployed to hunt down Naxalites in the area. In the last two weeks after Operation Green Hunt against the red ultras commenced, suspected Naxalites have abducted nearly 10 officials and people.
Meanwhile, human rights activists and intellectuals, including Ramdayal Munda, NRGEA activist Jen Drej, Dr Vandana Shiva, Professor BP Kesri and 40 others, have appealed to the government to halt the operation, which they said, will result in collateral damage for the tribals.
“Innocents get trampled upon and disaffection spreads, things turn counter-productive,” they appealed.
As the security forces launch Operation Green Hunt, intelligence agencies have warned the government that armed Naxalites were ready with their offensive, including abductions of officials, in response to the first security thrust into their strongholds.
Intelligence inputs reaching from different parts of the State, suggest that a large number of Naxal cadres have deserted their bases to melt away into urban anonymity.
Soren keeps fingers crossed
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The launch of Operation Green Hunt in parts of Jharkhand has left Chief Minister Shibu Soren a worried man. His obvious cause of concern is the after-effects of the operation.
"Bullet is no means to solve the problem. I hope the operation in these areas will be concluded in the coming five to 10 days and normal life will resume very soon," Soren was quoted as saying on Saturday evening.
"Although, Soren formally joined the league of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram but he is still apprehensive about the collateral damage that might result in the coming days," a well-placed source close to Soren said while speaking to The Pioneer.
The source said that Soren could share this concern with the Central Government so that the operation was planned in such a manner to ensure that the lives of innocent tribals was not affected during the operation.
His concern has compounded following the restriction imposed on the local tribals to move inside the forest area to collect firewood to sustain their life. Requisite security forces have been deployed at the water bodies to snap the Maoists' water supply which has also hit the tribals as they also collect water from these places.
"Mundas (local tribal heads) of the area have been asked not to send their men into the jungle. You may say that the Forest Right Act has just been replaced by Green Hunt. And if the operation continues for a longer period it will jeopardise the livelihood of the local tribal populace," he said revealing the concern of Soren
These are some of the critical issues that Soren fears might affect his core tribal following.
But the DIG, CRPF, Alok Raj has disputed that any such order has been passed to stop tribals from moving in the forest area. "See, forest is the natural habitat of the tribals. It is their home. How can we drive them out…it is an operation against armed Naxalites who have long waged violence as the central instrument."
The operation has just been launched in Ghatsila, Khunti and other areas where thousands of paramilitary forces have joined the operation. The operation is in the first phase where the security forces has been following 'strike and come back, don't wait to be struck, blow before you are blown' strategy.
Maoists too seem to have emulated Philippines models: Strike and run. Fight against the armed Naxalites: The first round went to the security forces. It nabbed some of the key Maoist leaders and cache of arms and ammunition.
The source said that Soren was worried for the second and the next round of operation when the security forces will deal with Naxalites and their sympathisers in the villages.
"We are yet to reach this level, and, then will come the tedious job to identify a forced sympathiser and those who ideologically support the Maoists…it is not a war, it is an operation. But that will be the most critical stage," said a senior police officer.
With every ground shift Soren's concern is growing. He does not know which side the tribals stand as each considers the other as the enemy.
Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The launch of Operation Green Hunt in parts of Jharkhand has left Chief Minister Shibu Soren a worried man. His obvious cause of concern is the after-effects of the operation.
"Bullet is no means to solve the problem. I hope the operation in these areas will be concluded in the coming five to 10 days and normal life will resume very soon," Soren was quoted as saying on Saturday evening.
"Although, Soren formally joined the league of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram but he is still apprehensive about the collateral damage that might result in the coming days," a well-placed source close to Soren said while speaking to The Pioneer.
The source said that Soren could share this concern with the Central Government so that the operation was planned in such a manner to ensure that the lives of innocent tribals was not affected during the operation.
His concern has compounded following the restriction imposed on the local tribals to move inside the forest area to collect firewood to sustain their life. Requisite security forces have been deployed at the water bodies to snap the Maoists' water supply which has also hit the tribals as they also collect water from these places.
"Mundas (local tribal heads) of the area have been asked not to send their men into the jungle. You may say that the Forest Right Act has just been replaced by Green Hunt. And if the operation continues for a longer period it will jeopardise the livelihood of the local tribal populace," he said revealing the concern of Soren
These are some of the critical issues that Soren fears might affect his core tribal following.
But the DIG, CRPF, Alok Raj has disputed that any such order has been passed to stop tribals from moving in the forest area. "See, forest is the natural habitat of the tribals. It is their home. How can we drive them out…it is an operation against armed Naxalites who have long waged violence as the central instrument."
The operation has just been launched in Ghatsila, Khunti and other areas where thousands of paramilitary forces have joined the operation. The operation is in the first phase where the security forces has been following 'strike and come back, don't wait to be struck, blow before you are blown' strategy.
Maoists too seem to have emulated Philippines models: Strike and run. Fight against the armed Naxalites: The first round went to the security forces. It nabbed some of the key Maoist leaders and cache of arms and ammunition.
The source said that Soren was worried for the second and the next round of operation when the security forces will deal with Naxalites and their sympathisers in the villages.
"We are yet to reach this level, and, then will come the tedious job to identify a forced sympathiser and those who ideologically support the Maoists…it is not a war, it is an operation. But that will be the most critical stage," said a senior police officer.
With every ground shift Soren's concern is growing. He does not know which side the tribals stand as each considers the other as the enemy.
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