House raps government on MLA fund

Strap: Nagri protesters present paddy bouquets to MLAs

VIJAY DEO JHA

Ranchi  

Infuriated fund starved MLAs of Jharkhand assembly fired salvo at the government for not releasing money under ‘MLA Area Development Fund’ from last nine months and forced the who’s who of government to take shelter behind silence.

Agitated members even urged Speaker CP Singh to move a resolution to terminate MLA Fund if the state government was handicapped and cash strapped.

As the second half of the winter session began on Tuesday MLAs cutting across party lines charged the government for sitting upon MLA funds from last nine months. Raising the matter BJP MLA Raghuwar Das quoted the ruling of the House during Monson Session where the government was directed to remove bottleneck and ensure the release of funds. Under the scheme, each MLA has the choice to suggest to the Deputy Commissioner for, works to the tune of Rs three Crores per annum to be taken up in his/her constituency. 

Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his Deputy Hemant Soren intervened in the debate to explain the position of the government. “There may be problems with ‘MLAs Fund.’ But the government committed for financial discipline and is concerned towards financial irregularities,” Munda said. Unsatisfied over the answer members alleged the government holding partisan attitude and shielding officials. “By ignoring the ruling of the assembly the government has brought contempt on the House. Why should MLAs suffer due to officials DC, DDC and likes? The government is promoting regional imbalance,” Das said.

Outside of House an MLA of ruling coalition explained ‘regional imbalance’ should be understood in the context of ‘assembly imbalance’ as provisions have been relaxed and constraints removed for three top ministers of the government in availing MLA Area Fund.

Earlier in the house Hemant rose to intervene with mien of an arbitrator. “Ham Sangharsh nahi samadhan ki disha me badhen, let us take the path of solution then confrontation,” Hemant urged. But before he began speaker snubbed him silence.  “You must be feeling very happy in protecting your DCs and DDCs. They won’t be helpful for you. Minister please mind you will not remain on this post till life,” Singh said.  Hemant could not marshal courage to continue in the face of mounted assault; none from the treasury, and, even JMM MLAs appeared harsh on him.

Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh even suggested the House and Speaker to move resolution to do away with MLA Area Fund if government can’t provide it. “I request the Chair not to give further ruling in this matter because these are not taken seriously,” he said.

But the first half of the session and question hour were gutted in the Nagari land row as the House was adjourned before to start. Quite surprisingly, the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) remained which had stalled the House on previous day over Panem issue, did not rake-up it on Tuesday.

JVM and other Opposition demanded special debate over Nagari land row. The demand was fiercely opposed by the treasury bench which alleged Opposition (JVM particularly) for taking the House on ransom. Before the session around 50 farmers of Nagari and agitators converged on assembly’s outer premise. They handed over bouquets made of paddy to MLAs and requested them to persuade the government to withdraw from 227 acres of arable land where three elite academic institutions are proposed. Despite adjournment MLAs continued pitched battle over Nagari and Panem.

The house symbolically did a good job of passing the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Act to help practicing lawyer with Rs. 50000 of financial assistance for treatment of critical disease.