PNS
Ranchi
The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday dismissed Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi’s remarks on the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) fund during his Chaibasa visit, terming them “politically motivated” and “misleading.”
Jharkhand Congress General Secretary and Media Department Coordinator Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo accused Marandi of attempting to mislead the public over the state government’s handling of mining-affected areas. He said the Hemant Soren-led government is committed to the overall development of mining-affected regions and the welfare of tribal and indigenous communities.
Shahdeo alleged that the problems faced by Chaibasa and the Saranda region are the result of policies pursued over the past 25 years, particularly during BJP governments at both the state and Centre. He said Marandi should also explain why the Centre has not released Jharkhand’s pending ₹1.36 lakh crore mining dues, claiming that timely payment of these funds would significantly accelerate development across the state.
Responding to Marandi’s criticism of the utilisation of DMFT funds, Shahdeo alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government has repeatedly amended the rules governing the fund, reducing the role of state governments and placing greater control in the hands of the bureaucracy. He said these changes have created procedural hurdles in implementing development projects at the local level.
Despite these challenges, Shahdeo said the state government is continuing to improve roads, drinking water supply and education facilities in Chaibasa and other mining-affected areas with the resources available.
He also pointed out that Marandi himself had acknowledged that several of the region’s problems existed 25 years ago. Since the BJP had governed Jharkhand for most of that period, including during Marandi’s tenure as chief minister, Shahdeo said the party must accept responsibility for issues such as iron-contaminated drinking water.
The Congress leader asserted that the state government functions with complete transparency and welcomes any audit or investigation into the utilisation of public funds. However, he alleged that Marandi’s demand for a probe into DMFT expenditures was driven by political considerations ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections rather than genuine public concern.
