After the JMM announced Kolhan bandh on April 24, the Congress on Friday announced to protest Prime Minister’s visit to steel city to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day function.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu announced to boycott PM Narendra Modi’s address during the National Panchayati Raj day function scheduled at JRD Tata sports complex. He also said that the party activists will protest before the Prime Minister on misuse of Government money for a ‘political’ programme.
“The programme is mere eye wash. We have information that nearly Rs20-crore is being spent on various areas for the Prime Minister’s visit at Jamshedpur. But the programme has been designed like a political event instead of a Government one with BJP leaders trying to arrange their supporters from different blocks of the district and neighbouring areas to attend the programme instead of panchayati delegates,” said Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu addressing media at Circuit House Area this afternoon.
Balmuchu, a three-time Congress MlA from Ghatshila termed this as a misuse of Government money. “The entire city is flooded with party’s banners and posters. Huge amount is being spent on lavish arrangements. It has become a BJP programme instead of a Government event as all the BJP leaders are going public to announce that they will be arranging transport for bringing in party supporters. A BJP leader from city has also announced of felicitating those who bring maximum crowds. Why is Government money being used for a programme,” said the Congress leader.
Incidentally, a BJP leader, Dinesh Kumar considered close to Chief Minister Raghubar Das had announced yesterday of felicitating those who garner maximum crowd for the PM function.
The Congress leader also questioned the reason for selecting Jamshedpur as the venue for hosting the National Panchayat Raj day function.
“I fail to understand why Jamshedpur was chosen as venue. In major portion of Kolhan comprising three districts of West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan comes under Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (Pesa), enacted in 1996, which empowers the tribals to carry on self-governance by means of gram sabhas. It is in conflict with the Panchayati Raj system and the decision of hosting this function in Kolhan is attempt to hurt sentiments of tribals,” questioned Balmuchu. He also admitted that he has not received any invitation for the function.
He also informed that their party will not only extend moral support to JMM-sponsored Kolhan bandh on April 24. JMM had on Thursday announced Kolhan bandh to protest against the Raghubar Das-led state government’s recently announced domicile policy. The bandh has been called in view of PM’s visit to the city on the day.