BJP targets Hemant Soren govt. over CAG report on health

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren during the Budget session in Ranchi.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday targeted the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand, over a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report indicating irregularities in the release of funds and furnishing of utilisation certificates related to the health departments.

It also accused the State government of indulging in appeasement politics.

At a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said that the CAG report on the performance of the health departments was presented in the State Assembly on February 27. He alleged that as per the report, there was no account of ₹19,125.88 crore, while 5,209 utilisation certificates had not been submitted.

Stating that the Congress always kept the State Health Ministry portfolio with it, Mr. Sinha listed several other alleged irregularities, including shortage of medicines, and highlighted key vacancies in the departments.

He accused the State government of issuing an order, because of which the coverage of the Ayushman Bharat programme would reduce drastically.

‘Illegal immigrants’

While referring to an incident of violence and clash between two groups during Holi celebrations in Giridih district on March 14, he alleged that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were being allowed to settle down in some districts of Jharkhand.

“Now, terrorist activities have also increased in these areas…we believe that many terror modules are being started in Santhal Pargana,” he alleged.

On the charge of “demographic distortions”, he said the Jharkhand High Court has ordered constitution of panel — comprising representatives of both the Central and State governments to study the reasons.

“However, the panel has not yet been set up due to non-cooperation of the State government…does Heman Soren want to turn the land of Birsa Munda into that of Aurangzeb?,” he asked.