When asked, CM refrained from giving any timeline
Corruption-ridden Jharkhand may have to wait bit longer — possibly till adopting Centre’s lokpal Act becomes a national compulsion. The State Government is still not sure about when the Bill would be presented and passed in the Assembly.
When asked about setting up a potent corruption watchdog at State-level on the lines of the Centre, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, refrained from giving any timeline.
“We already have lokayukta here which is functional. Soon the Act would be modeled in the lines of the Centre,” replied the CM on when questioned by legislator Arup Chatterjee as whether the Government intended to bring the Bill meant to strengthen the existing ombudsman. The office is without its own investigating wing and poorly equipped to probe anti-corruption charges involving political and administrative bigwigs.
The Centre in the Winter Session had passed the lokpal Bill which is binding on the States within six months time. Union Minister and Chairman of the Coordination Committee Jairam Ramesh had even drawn a time line till February 15 for the coalition Government to redraft the Act in the State.
Speaking about housing scheme during the CM Question Hour in the Assembly Hemant Soren informed that all DCs had been directly to report to the Center about repairing Indira Awas when asked about poor condition of the houses made for poor.
On the other hand Finance Minister Rajendra Singh while replying on the Budget told the House that four new medical colleges had been allocated to Jharkhand by the Center.
“I am pleased to inform the House that four medical colleges would be set at Dumka, Bokaro, Palamau and Chaibasa and the Center had cleared it.” The Minister also defended the Budget terming it growth oriented and said that threat about shifting auxiliary units from Jamshedpur would be vanished by lowering VAT to 5 per cent.
“Talks were that industries like chechis, engine and body are planning to shift Uttarakhand. With the step the fear is gone. I would like to announce that journalists and lawyers would be exempted from professional tax,” said Singh. He also added that apart from Dhoti and Sari to poor the Government would also provide lungi to poor.
Though, some embracement for the Government also came when Disaster Management and Revenue could be provide their reports to members before discussion of budgetary provision. Rajendra Singh, also in charge of Parliamentary Affairs, expressed regret. Discussion on Agriculture took place and JVM legislators boycotted reply of Minister Yogendra Sao.