Opposition MLAs protest in front of the state Assembly in favour of several demands before the start of the day’s session on Monday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Jan. 3: The second supplementary budget of Rs 1,858.35 crore was today passed in the state Assembly by voice vote, but not before the Arjun Munda government was repeatedly pushed to tight corners both by the Opposition and treasury benches.

While senior JMM leaders Simon Marandi and Teklal Mahto questioned why rules related to use of MLA fund for work exceeding Rs 25,000 were so cumbersome, BJP’s own Raghubar Das demanded that the chief minister should clarify whether their local area development (LAD) funds should be abolished immediately.

During a debate on supplementary budget, a majority of members expressed concern on the “disregard” shown to the legislature. They claimed that the bureaucracy seldom took the advice of local representatives during execution of welfare and development schemes and even dumped aided recommendations involving use of LAD funds. At times, they cited rules, saying open tenders ought to be floated for projects exceeding Rs 25,000.

Consequently, funds could not be used and on an average, each MLA has accumulated over Rs 3 crore of unutilised money. Further, the MLAs said they were clueless about how many blankets were being distributed among the poor in their respective constituencies.

Chief minister Arjun Munda said a three-member cabinet sub-committee had already been set up to examine the cases. If necessary, rules will be amended accordingly.

But Munda was rendered speechless when the Speaker C.P. Singh asked why different parameters were being adopted by government officials in different districts. He even asked whether the government would take appropriate action against the officials concerned. The chief minister, however, remained non-committal.

JJP’s Bandhu Tirkey said former Kolhan University vice chancellor Beni Ekka was taken to task for allegedly drawing Rs 20 lakh and returning it after realising his mistake. But at Ranchi University, the finance officer has been booked for alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 33 lakh while the registrar and vice chancellor have been spared.

JVM MLA Samresh Singh asked why university teachers were not being paid as per UGC’s revised payscale and their retirement age had not been raised to 65 years despite the government’s approval. On the other hand, JVM legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav objected to finance minister Hemant Soren reading out a written speech on the floor of the House. Hemant repeatedly forgot his speech despite being advised by the Speaker to give direct replies.