Raipur, February 25, 2010
In past six years, corruption has taken a giant stride and has become a buzzword in government departments. State government has completely failed to control corrupt officials. This is an evident indicator that the government is deliberately protecting them. Leader of the Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Ravindra Choubey levelled these allegations against the government on Thursday in the House during his discussion budget.
“Instead of implementing developmental schemes, the government officials are busy in searching lands for industrialists and signing MoUs. Several schemes launched by the state and Union governments have still not reached to actual beneficiaries. Even the ministers are fed-up with the attitude of the officials,” he charged.
Does state lacks efficient officers?
Pointing towards the arrival of officials on deputation from other states, Choubey asked whether the state lacked efficient officers or the government do not trust the existing officials. “It is strange that the government has given contract appointment to one official who resigned from the Central government’s job. He has been given the charge of Secretary Energy department in the state. Interestingly, this official was given the contract appointment before his resignation was accepted by the Centre,” he asked.
It is not a result-oriented budget
“The CM had termed last year’s budget as result-oriented one but ironically the result is coming in the form of IT raids in the houses of government officials. One IT raid in an IAS officer’s house has shown the trailer of this movie called result-oriented budget,” he said.
Unkept promises
“In his last year’s budget speech, the CM’s had announced to develop several parks in for specific sectors like apparel, metal, food processing, herbal, IT, textile, industrial, etc but none has come into existence. Similarly, many more announcement were made last time but they were not fulfilled,” he said.
No provision for poor & farmers
Choubey said the government had completely ignored financially weaker section except making a provision of Rs 1000 crore for distribution of rice to BPL families. Similarly, the budget has nothing for women and farmers, he said. Choubey was apprehensive that the government deceive the farmers for the third time not keeping its promises giving Rs 270 bonus and free power connection. “In this budget, the government has made a provision of land transaction for farmers up to five acres but I doubt that it will keep its promise,” he said. Choubey alleged that the government was more interested in establishment of power plants and steel industries than promoting cottage industries and agriculture based industries.
No relaxation in VAT
Regarding value Added Tax (VAT), Choubey said the budget had nothing for common man. “The government should have reduced VAT in ration, petrol, diesel, cloths, medicines used by the farmers, farm products, infrastructure related items, etc.”
Take action against liquor contractors
Choubey demanded from the government to take action against liquor contractors. “A number of liquor contractors are from other states with criminal record. Illegal liquor is being openly sold everywhere, especially in rural areas. If the government wants to promote liquor then why did not it create vacancies for ‘sharabkarmis,” he said.
Agri lands being given to industrialists
Quoting BSP MLA Sourabh Singh that 95 percent land of Janjgir-Champa is used in irrigation, Choubey said, “In spite of being aware about this, the government has done MoU for establishment of 22 power plants in the district. In Janjgir, about 23,000 hectare land from which the farmers take double crop would be acquired by the industrialists. Now, who should be blamed? The Agriculture Minister or the CM?” asked Choubey.
Civic bodies lack facilities
Training his guns towards Urban Administration Minister Rajesh Munat, Choubey said he should focus on implementing Centre’s schemes meant for urban areas. “No work has been commenced related to housing in Raipur Municipal Corporation. Similarly, problems of water supply are still creating problems in civic bodies,” he said.
Take action against human traffickers
Choubey demanded from the government to take action against the people involved in human trafficking. “A number of placement agencies are active in and around Jashpur, Kunkuri, Sitapur and Sarguja areas who take about 1000-1500 girls from these places to Bombay and Delhi. The Collector, SP and policemen of the respective areas aware about human trafficking but they are not taking any action. Some cops even take commission from the placement agencies. This should be stopped,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment