Massive corruption in Jharkhand, nothing moves without money: Shivraj

Ranchi, Sep 27 (PTI) Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday accused the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand of misusing central funds sent to the state for various schemes and said that a probe will be launched into MGNREGA fund utilisation.

The Union Agriculture Minister launched a frontal attack on the JMM-led dispensation, calling it a “paper leak government” and accused it of playing with the future of the youth.

“There is massive corruption in Jharkhand, nothing moves here without money. Central funds meant for various schemes were grossly misused by the Hemant Soren-led government. We will initiate a thorough probe into the irregularities in MGNREGA,” Singh said while addressing BJP’s ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Latehar.

People will never forgive the JMM-led coalition for its misrule, he said, urging voters to oust the “corrupt” government in the elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly due later this year.

“Sixteen youth died during an excise police recruitment drive due to mismanagement. People are living in constant fear due to atrocities, terror and misrule of the Hemant Soren government.

“The entire country is watching how the JMM is snatching the breath of the youth of Jharkhand by showing them dreams of a golden future. The government, blinded by power, is not able to see the pain and helplessness of the youth,” Chouhan said.

He promised free solar power to people under ‘Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ besides doubling the monthly honorarium to women to Rs 2,000 per month in comparison to Rs 1,000 of the JMM-led government’s ‘Maiya Samman Yojana’, if the BJP is voted to power in the state.

He alleged that Hemant Soren’s Maiya Samman Yojana is a copy of the Ladli Behna Yojana in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan also promised houses with toilets for all and gas connection if the BJP came to power in the state.

Attacking Soren, he said the JMM-led government had promised to provide 5 lakh jobs but faltered on it.

“They are playing with the dreams of the youth. When the BJP comes to power in the state, a decision to fill 2.87 lakh vacant posts in government departments will be taken in the very first cabinet meeting. Many development works were done when the BJP was in power in Jharkhand but now the JMM and Congress have destroyed and ruined the state,” he alleged.

“Change of government is necessary to change the fate of Jharkhand. Parivartan Yatra will bring a change, which is certain. BJP will come to power in the state,” he asserted.

On Thursday, Chouhan had visited tribal areas in Netarhat and interacted with members of various tribes.

During his visit, the Union minister also had tribal food of Gondli Rice, Corn Ghatta, Bhapal Salad, Futkal Chutney, Bamboo Kareel Bhujia and Bar Bodi Dal with them.

The BJP’s ‘Parivartan Yatra’, launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to cover 5,400 km across 81 assembly segments in 24 districts of the state before concluding on October 2, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be present.