BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shahdev launched a major attack on the state government and said that the Hemant government of the state is quietly moving towards March loot. Pratul said that in the budget of 2024-25, only 60% of the budget amount was spent till January. That is, there is a preparation to spend 40% of the amount in 2 months. Whereas according to the rules and traditions, only a maximum of 15% of the amount can be withdrawn in March.
Pratul said that the most regrettable situation is of the departments related to development where a large amount has not been spent yet. The possibility of its distribution cannot be ruled out. Pratul said that the Hemant government, which is already lagging behind in Jal Jeevan Mission, has crossed all limits in the current budget.
Till February, the drinking water department has spent only 10% of the amount of planning and development. In comparison to the department's budget of Rs 4500 crore, only Rs 438 crore has been spent till February. In such a situation, many drinking water schemes are stuck. For Jal Jeevan Mission, the central government has advised the Jharkhand government many times. Even now, tap water has not reached about a lakh houses in Jharkhand. Pratul said that spending only 10% of the amount till February in the drinking water department is a criminal case.
Such negligence cannot be tolerated at all in a department that gives relief to the common people. Now either the department is preparing to loot on a large scale by showing expenditure of 90% of the amount in March or the money will be surrendered. Both situations are dire for the people of the state. Pratul said that there are 62,55,717 houses in Jharkhand. Till now, tap water has reached only 34,19,100. While the national average of this scheme is 79.79%, its average in Jharkhand is only 54.66%.
That is, Jharkhand is lagging behind the national average by 25%. Even today, 45% of the houses in the state do not have tap water. Pratul said that the condition of this scheme in this financial year is shameful. Till now, in 10 months, only 1,89,845 houses have got tap water. The scheme has been eclipsed due to the state government not providing the utility certificate for the money received from the center.
Pratul said that the state government should take strict steps and strictly follow the financial rules and laws in March and the government money should not be misappropriated in any way. However, Pratul also said that it is meaningless to expect such a thing from a government in which corruption has become a norm. Still, BJP will keep a close eye on this entire episode.
