Jharkhand’s financial management has collapsed, claims BJP
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, November 9: BJP Jharkhand chief spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo has launched a sharp attack on the Hemant…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, November 9: BJP Jharkhand chief spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo has launched a sharp attack on the Hemant Soren government over the state’s financial management, alleging that poor planning, mounting debt and administrative inefficiency have adversely affected development activities across Jharkhand.
He said the state was not facing a shortage of financial resources but a lack of intent and direction in managing public finances. He alleged that the government had pushed Jharkhand towards increasing debt, financial mismanagement and administrative disorder.
Demanding greater transparency, Pratul called upon the state government to publish a White Paper detailing the actual financial condition of Jharkhand, including budget utilisation, outstanding liabilities and pending payments.
₹31,416 Crore in Budget Allocations Remains Unspent, Claims BJP
Pratul said one of the clearest indicators of the government’s failure was the alleged non-utilisation of a substantial portion of the budget allocated for development schemes.
He claimed that nearly ₹31,416 crore remained unspent despite allocations being made for various development programmes.
Referring to the state’s fiscal position, he said the annual fiscal deficit had reached ₹14,527 crore in previous financial years, while total outstanding liabilities had crossed ₹1.30 lakh crore.
According to Pratul, these figures reflected serious weaknesses in financial planning and expenditure management.
He questioned why funds earmarked for development were not being effectively utilised and alleged that the government’s financial approach was affecting the implementation of projects.
Pending Contractors’ Payments Disrupt Development Works
Highlighting the difficulties faced by contractors, Pratul said thousands of crores of rupees in payments for completed government projects remained pending.
He said contractors engaged in the construction of roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure projects were being forced to make repeated visits to government departments to secure their dues.
The delay, he alleged, had severely affected construction activities and blocked the working capital of small contractors.
According to him, contractors were facing increasing difficulties in making payments to workers, suppliers and banks because of the government’s failure to clear outstanding bills on time.
Pratul claimed that the situation had disrupted development projects and brought several government-funded activities to a virtual standstill, with ordinary citizens ultimately bearing the consequences.
CAG Report Raises Questions Over ₹1.60 Lakh Crore
Pratul also expressed concern over the figures attributed to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which, according to him, showed 52,855 utilisation certificates pending for an amount of ₹1,60,565 crore.
He described the matter as extremely serious and questioned why the government had failed to submit the required utilisation certificates for such a substantial amount of public expenditure.
He demanded that the government explain where the funds had been spent and why the requisite accounts and utilisation records had not been furnished.
The BJP spokesperson said the government must take responsibility for ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public money.
BJP Demands White Paper on State’s Financial Position
Calling for a comprehensive disclosure of the state’s finances, Pratul demanded that the Hemant Soren government issue a White Paper covering its actual financial condition.
He said the document should explain the utilisation of budgetary allocations, the state’s fiscal deficit, outstanding liabilities, pending contractors’ payments and the status of utilisation certificates.
Pratul said the people of Jharkhand deserved a government that managed public resources responsibly and ensured that development funds reached their intended destinations.
He alleged that the government was making ambitious announcements while depending on borrowed money, without adequately addressing financial discipline and accountability.
“A government that cannot even clear the dues of its own contractors has no moral authority to promise economic self-reliance for Jharkhand,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson maintained that effective financial management was essential for sustaining infrastructure development, supporting contractors and ensuring that public welfare schemes were implemented without disruption.
