Congress working president in the State and former minister Bandhu Tirkey today heated up political temperature in State giving a statement against the investigations of Central agencies in Jharkhand. Talking to media persons he said that there is resentment and anger in the tribal community of the state regarding the action of ED. He said that these people (ED) are not able to understand the feelings of the tribal communitiess.
In a threatening tone he said, “When the tribals get angry, then what is ED-BD? The agencies should understand the sentiments of the tribals otherwise there will be trouble, if the tribals come out. The tribals go out for hunting every 12 years." Targeting the BJP, Bandhu Tirkey said that the elected government in Jharkhand is being challenged by external forces.
Notably, Central investigating agencies such as the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation are involved in investigation of alleged corruption cases in Jharkhand amounting to several thousand crore rupees. Two IAS officers and Chief Engineer of Rural Works department are in jail due to the ED action in State. Even the chief Minister is also facing investigation in cases by ED.
Notably, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday has again sent a letter to the ED after he got eighth summon from its officials to record his statement in a land scam related case. A CMO employee reached ED’s Zonal Office today afternoon with the letter of the CM, which is being termed as a reply to the eights summon. Even as the content of the letter is still not clear, media reports suggest that Soren has again sought clarification from ED as to why he is being asked to appear to record his statement.
The agency has issued eighth summon to the CM on January 13 asking him to appear for recording his statement in a land scam related investigation between January 16 and 20.
The State Government has recently formed rules for its officials to deal with summons issued by ‘external ‘investigating agencies, according to which an officer has to inform his department head, who has to inform the Cabinet Secretariat, which after seeking legal opinion on the issue would decide what to do with the summons.
The Cabinet Secretary of the State Government has also written a letter to the ED recently asking it to clarify why State government officials have been called by the agency.