Lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Hussainabad, Kushwaha Shivpujan Mehta tendered his resignation from Assembly citing government’s failure to restart cement factory in Japla (Garhwa) on the last day of Monsoon session here on Friday. However, Speaker Dinesh Oraon is yet to accept his resignation.
Kushwaha, the first time MLA from Hussainabad raised the issue of closure of Japla cement factory. He said, “In the last Assembly session, I had raised the issue of closure of Japla cement factory and with my demand I even sat of dharna outside the assembly premises for five days.” On the assurance from Chief Minister that the Government will initiate the process in setting up cement factory in Japla, Kushwaha had ended his dharna.
Kushwaha said, “On Chief Minister’s assurance I ended my dharna, but till date no step has been taken for restarting the cement factory.” The Japla cement factory run by private agency was closed in 1990s. More than 10,000 people were linked with factory getting direct and indirect employment.
On Friday when the MLA raised the issue, State Urban Development Minister CP Singh said that government has no role in setting up industries. Singh said, “If the MLA is concerned with setting up industries then he should bring investors.” Reacting on Singh’s remark, Mehta questioned government’s role in selling liquor till last year. The MLA said, “If I can bring investors then why did the government organise investors’ summit in Ranchi in 2017, in which crores of public money was used? Also, why did the Jharkhand Government carry out road shows at different parts of country inviting investors?”
Mehta raising his demand threatened to quit the membership of House. Opposition leaders including Hemat Soren tried to pacify the MLA, but Mehta left the House. Sources said that Speaker is yet to accept the resignation of lawmaker.
Later, Mehta talking to The Pioneer said, “I am adamant with my resignation. I will urge the Speaker to accept the resignation. If we fail to raise public issue there is no need to stay in the House.”
Meanwhile, the five day monsoon session of Jharkhand Assembly came to an end. Speaker Dinesh Oraon appreciated the role of ruling parties and Opposition MLAs in smooth functioning of session. He said, “Leaving aside some instances where the House was adjourned the session passed away smoothly.” He said, in the monsoon session six bills were given nod which included 10 per cent reservation for Economically weaker section of society, bill for constitution of Baba Baidyanath Sanskrit University, Deoghar among others were given nod. In the monsoon session, the Assembly has received 403 questions from members out of which 303 were given nod. In majority of questions reply has been made while in rest Government reply is on process.
As this is last session of current government, the Speaker on the occasion also highlighted about India space success by successful launching of Chandrayaan-2. He said, “For us Indian space success gains importance as engineers and scientists from HEC the premises from where Assembly is functioning has made vital contribution.” The Speaker also remembered the martyr’s of Kargil. July 26 celebrated as Vijay Diwas is twenty years back India won Kargil war against Pakistan