THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 6: BJP state president and Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has launched a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, alleging massive corruption in road construction works across the state.
Posting a video on his official Facebook account, Marandi raised serious questions over irregularities in road projects, particularly in Lohardaga district’s Pesharar village. He claimed that corruption under the current regime has reached such depths that “layers of scams are being laid in the name of roads.”
“Since Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself holds the Road Construction portfolio, it is no surprise that this department too is neck-deep in corruption. It is well known how contractors are selected and tenders are awarded here,” Marandi said.
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He further alleged that even when tenders are allotted at new minimum rates, payments are later inflated by showing additional work, accompanied by arbitrary commissions.
“In fact, it appears Hemant ji has resolved not to stop until the Guinness Book of World Records awards him for the most scams committed under his watch,” Marandi remarked sarcastically.
Poor Road Construction Alleged in Lohardaga
Citing the example of a road under construction in Pesharar village of Lohardaga district, Marandi said that no proper construction materials like gravel, bitumen, or granular sub-base (GSB) were being used.
“Only mud is being dumped, with a sprinkling of materials on top to deceive people. GSB is the foundation that provides strength to the entire road, but here, the foundation itself is missing,” he said.
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He added that “when a government itself is built on a foundation of corruption and scams, roads constructed under such a regime are bound to get washed away in the rains.”
Marandi has demanded strict action against those responsible for the irregularities. However, he also cautioned the Chief Minister, saying, “Be mindful that your ‘gang of thieves’ does not falsely implicate the person who shot this video to expose the scam — something that is becoming all too common under your rule these days.”
