Jharkhand’s main Opposition party BJP today hit back at the State Government, highlighting department-wise failure of government on its completion of one year. Former Urban Development Minister and Ranchi MLA CP Singh said most of the schemes and projects, of which the State Government on Tuesday tried to take credit were initiated by the former BJP government headed by Raghubar Das.

Singh said, “The Raghubar Das government had initiated the three phase drinking water schemes out of which work on phase one has been completed. Under phase one, water towers were erected at 14 places. The State Government to take credit has inaugurated work on an already existing one phase.”

He also said that as per 2011 census, the urban population of State is around 80 lakh, but in actual the urban population is around one crore which is around one third of total population of State.  The BJP leader claimed that infrastructure development at urban cities is important as urban population constitutes a major share in GDP growth of the State.

Singh said, “The former government not only increased the urban budget of the State but also launched various schemes for infrastructure development of cities. In 2013-14 the urban development department budget was Rs 900 which was raised to Rs 2829 crore. We have not increased the budget but initiated various infrastructure projects in urban areas, but the present government which cries over fund shortage has failed to complete work on any of these projects.”

Targeting the State government, the former minister claimed that during corona pandemic, Ranchi Mayor Asha Lakra had demanded fund release from State government for keeping the city neat and clean, but the State government has failed to provide funds, while on other hand during BJP regime funds were released funds with open hand to municipal bodies at cities and town so that the development work doesn’t get hampered.

Highlighting some of work carried out by Raghubar Das government, the minister said that during Raghubar Das’ tenure, 40,000 street lights where replaced from sodium to LED lights, drinking water arrangements were made in major urban cities, at the same time work on modular toilets were done during BJP government. The minister claimed that the present government has not only failed in executing work but has also stopped the ongoing work.

Highlighting some of the work, projects which were halted by the present government include stopping the flyover construction at Kanta toli, Ratu road and Harmu bypass.

He also said that during Raghubar Das government some of the infrastructure work which were initiated included construction of Haj House, Vendors market while work on Rabindra Bhavan, Birsa Munda Smiriti Park is ongoing.