Arjun Munda in a sombre mood as the condolence message is read out in the Assembly. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Aug. 17: The action taken report tabled by the government today on the first day of the Assembly’s monsoon session has little to show in terms of “action taken”.

The voluminous 857-page report has raised the hackles of Opposition leaders who say the government has made a mockery of the issues raised in the House during the previous session that concluded in March.

“Does the ATR reflect the action taken by the government on the questions raised during the previous session? To me the ATR appears to be a bunch of another set of assurances,” remarked Opposition leader Stephen Marandi.

Sample these:

*On March 20, Ramchandra Chandravanshi drew the government’s attention to the broken boundary wall of Bisrampur police station, which had been attacked by Naxalites many times. The minister concerned, replying to the question, assured that the government would begin construction of the wall soon after securing the proposal from the executive engineer, building construction department. Five months hence, the ATR says almost the same thing — “The department is yet to submit the proposal. The superintendent of police has been asked to begin the work after the proposal is secured.”

*BJP’s Bhushan Tirki drew the attention of the House to the government’s failure in providing jobs to the dependants of those killed in Naxalite attack in Gumla in 2000. The minister concerned replied: “The government is committed to provide jobs to the kin of the deceased under Home Department Resolution, 2279.” The ATR, surprisingly says the same thing: “Actions are underway to provide jobs to the dependants of Gumla victims.”

*Congress’s Pradeep Balmuchu raised the issue of a dependant of Guruwa Murmu of Jaradumri village in West Singhbhum district killed in a Maoist bomb blast on March 3 through a question. The minister concerned replied: “We will provide jobs and all other facilities to the dependants of Murmu.” The ATR says: “Naukri deneki karwayee chal rahi hai (The process is underway to provide job).”

*RJD’s Ramprakash Ram, on March 23, wanted the government to explain why the construction of a power grid at Latehar was still pending though chief minister Arjun Munda laid its foundation stone a year ago. The minister concerned assured the House through his reply: “The government has secured the tender to begin work. It will begin in July 2006.” The ATR says: “The tenders secured for the grid are being examined.” Surprisingly, it doesn’t say how long the department will take in examining the tenders and begin work.

RJD legislator from Sarath Udai Shankar Singh alias Chunna Singh shifted the blame on what he described as “parasite babus”. “The House sends the minister’s assurances and replies to the departments concerned for action. But these babus sit over them instead of executing. The government has no control over the bureaucracy,” said Singh.