Farmers Movement Archive

Jharkhand CM takes DVC auto-debit row to Bermo bypoll pitch

Bokaro: Chief minister Hemant Soren attacked the BJP-led government at the Centre during an election rally at Dughda in Bermo on Wednesday for auto-debiting Rs 1,417.50 crore from the state’s account with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Union government had recently asked the RBI to deduct the amount to clear the dues of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). Notably, the Chandrapura power plant of the DVC is located 3-4 kilometres from the rally site. “The money given to the DVC has stalled the pace of development in the state and this cannot be tolerated,” Soren said, adding that the Centre did not wait to get the consent of the state before deducting the money. Soren then warned the Centre and said: “The entire country would plunge into darkness if the state decided to give a befitting reply to the Union government. So do not try to provoke us, as we Jharkhandis have a record of forcing economic blockade. The coal from here lights up the entire country but the BJP government is trying to keep us in darkness.” Soren also said that BJP was favouring capitalists and selling government institutions to a select few. “One such example was the double-engine government of former chief minister Raghubar Das that sold Patratu Thermal Power Station. Moreover, some people sitting in New Delhi are trying to divide the country along the lines of caste and religion. But people should not fall in their trap.” The Jharkhand CM also criticised BJP over the farm bills and the delay in publishing the results of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). “Results for JPSC exams did not come out during the tenure of Raghubar Das. Moreover, the former government appointed teachers but the court has given a verdict against those appointments. However, we are trying to save the jobs.” The meeting was also addressed by Congress ministers Banna Gupta and Badal Patralekh.

The Times of India

2020-10-29

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