Jai Ram, Agnihotri spar over Jan Manch programme

Issue crops up during question hour

SHIMLA : Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri on Monday sparred over state government’s flagship public grievances redressal programme, Jan Manch, as the latter taunted the government saying such a scheme was also taken up during Congress’s regime.

The issue cropped up during the question hour in the ongoing budget session, when Rampur legislator Nand Lal sought information on the expenditure incurred on Jan Manch programmes (JMP) in the last one year.

“JMP is not a new concept, such type of programme with Prashashan Janata Ke Dwar name was also held during the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government,” Agnihotri said while accusing the Bjp-led state government of misusing official machinery.

Replying to the opposition’s charge, the chief minister said no programme similar to JMP had been launched by any other government.

“Previous government too had started administration at people’s doorstep. Funds were spent on those programme as well. I have myself attended Prashashan Janata Ke Dwar programme during time when we were not in power. However, Jan Manch is an entirely different program,” Thakur said.

Blaming the opposition for unnecessarily raking up the issue, he said the programme has been a success and with no misuse of funds. In between the session , the CM, who is known for handling situations with calm, lost his temper and asked an opposition member to sit as he reacted to one of his replies, while BJP members countered the opposition legislators.

Addressing deputy speaker Hans Raj, who was in chair in the absence of speaker Rajiv Bindal, the CM said, “No member can intervene like this. You have provided me time to speak and no member can intervene time and again like this.”

The chief minister said the minimum money required for erecting tents, providing water and simple food to participants during Jan Manch Programmes was being spent and it would continue. “This is public money and entire expenditure is being audited and instructions have been issued to ensure no extra amount is spent on JMPS,” he said.

Earlier replying to Nand Lal’s question, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said a total amount of ₹1.61 crore have been spent on 95 Jan Manch Programmes held in various parts of the state till January 15.

“Around ₹2 lakh is spent on one Jan Manch programme,” he said.

The chief minister said during such programmes, similar arrangements, particularly food, are made for both the officials and people who attend the programme. Kinnaur legislator Jagat Singh Negi asked if the government will order an audit of the expenses incurred so far following which the opposition started raising a demand for the same.

CONG DEMANDS WHITE PAPER ON SCHEMES ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR

Leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri demanded the state government to issue white paper on thirty schemes it had announced in the last budget.

Initiating a debate on the budget presented by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur last Saturday, the leader alleged that work on the most of schemes has not started yet.

“The government has announced 18 new schemes in the budget this year while implementation of the previously announced 30 schemes is yet to begin,”he said.

The leader further charged the government for depending on external funding instead of generating new sources of income in the state. He said instead of making policies to increase the revenue, the government planned to borrow ₹ 5,069 in the next financial year, despite huge debt.

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I have myself attended Prashashan Janata Ke Dwar programme during the time when we were not in power. However, Jan Manch is an entirely different program JAI RAM THAKUR, Himachal Pradesh chief minister

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JMP is not a new concept, such type of programme with Prashashan Janata Ke Dwar name was also held during Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government. MUKESH AGNIHOTRI , leader of opposition