Principal Opposition party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Babulal Marandi led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha have raised serious questions on  the media reports suggesting possible involvement of Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma (the then Deputy Commissioner of Chaibasa) in a Fodder case relating to Chaibasa treasury and have demanded high level probe.

In a letter to Governor Droupadi Mumru JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacahrya has demanded on behalf of his party a clarification or an independent probe by the government on the matter. He has stated that action has been taken against two former Chief Secretaries — both belonging to a particular community but the incumbent CS has been spared.

Citing media reports that the then DC of Chaibasa had been asked many times for clarification on her involvement in the irregularities connected to the fodder scam, Bhattacharya has said that she did not respond to the government letters and did not take any positive step in this direction.

He further states that two former CS were convicted in separate corruption cases and the media reports have raised question on the third CS. “Therefore, I request on behalf on my party to take serious note of the issue and appeal to the CM for a clarification or independent probe in the matter.

Meanwhile, JVM General Secretary and senior leader Pradeep Yadav today called a press conference and flayed the government for inaction on the issue. He said that the government needed to immediately begin a high level probe in the matter and remove the CS else his party will launch a statewide protest. Yadav said that Verma, having such corruption charges should not have been promoted to the CS rank. And, her elevation is giving rise to corruption in the State, Yadav added.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy has also written a letter to the CM requesting him to direct CS to reply to the queries raised by former CS on irregularities and suspected withdrawals from Chaibasa treasury to ensure timely disposal of the matter under the ambit of law.

“She should also be asked as to why she did not responded to over 18 notices and queries raised by the competent officers of State administration,” he stated adding that no person is above the law in the rule of law and violators of law are subject to justified punishment.

The matter came to the fore after RJD chief lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted by a special CBI court on December 23 in Ranchi. According to media reports CBI had recommended disciplinary action against the then Chaibasa DC for overlooking frivolous withdrawals relating to fodder scam. And, despite several reminders and notices in about 15 years she did not respond to the queries.