THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 18: BJP’s state spokesperson, Pratul Shahdeo, has strongly criticized the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government, accusing it of heading towards a “loot” in the final months of the fiscal year.
Shahdeo pointed out that only 60% of the allocated budget for the 2024-25 financial year had been spent by January, leaving 40% to be utilized in the last two months, which contradicts financial norms. According to standard practices, a maximum of 15% of the budget is expected to be withdrawn in March.
Concerns Over Unspent Funds in Key Sectors
Shahdeo expressed particular concern over the unspent funds in key development sectors. He suggested that there was a possibility of corruption, stating that there was no denying the likelihood of fund mismanagement or embezzlement.
He cited the example of the water supply sector, where only 10% of the budget allocated for the Jal Jeevan Mission had been spent by February, despite a budget of ₹4,500 crore. This has led to several water projects being delayed, and Shahdeo criticized the state’s inability to meet its targets.
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Water Supply Mission Underperforming
As of now, only 34,19,100 homes in the state have access to tap water, while the national average for the scheme is 79.79%. Jharkhand’s performance stands at just 54.66%, which is 25% behind the national average.
Shahdeo emphasized that 45% of homes in the state still do not have tap water, highlighting the poor performance of the government in this regard.
Govt’s Financial Mismanagement Under Scrutiny
Shahdeo raised serious concerns regarding the possibility of funds being misused in the final month of the fiscal year. He said, “Either large-scale misappropriation will take place in March, or the unspent funds will be surrendered, both of which are detrimental to the public.”
He demanded that the state government strictly follow financial rules and regulations to prevent any mismanagement.
Shahdeo also accused the government of not adhering to financial discipline, claiming that the state’s failure to provide the necessary utility certificates for the funds it received from the central government had halted progress on key projects.
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BJP to Keep Close Watch
Shahdeo concluded by stating that although it is unlikely that the government will act with accountability due to its reputation for corruption, the BJP would continue to monitor the situation closely.
