JMM hits back at BJP’s state chief

RANCHI: JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya late on Thursday night retorted back to BJP MP and party’s state president Deepak Prakash’s allegations of middlemen and profiteers derailing the public distribution system (PDS) under the Hemant Soren government’s protection.

The JMM leader said the licences of over 150 ration shop dealers have been suspended and notices have been served to several others against whom government received complaints.

He underlined that most dealers against whom actions were taken were BJP workers and the reaction of the party leadership was thus on expected lines.

Bhattacharya also questioned the lifting of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which government was protecting the capitalists and hoarders and slammed the BJP for raising fingers on the JMM-led coalition government that has become a ‘role model’ for other states during the pandemic.

He also highlighted the understanding reached between the Border Road Organisation and the state regarding employing Jharkhand youths to build roads and bridges along the China border.

He said the BJP should not create confusion by resorting to mud-slinging without knowing facts and should rather play the role of a constructive opposition party.

Pooh-poohing Prakash for his statement that development has taken a back seat in the state and nothing except MNREGA was visible, Bhattacharya said the Hemant government has launched three schemes - Birsa harit Gram, Nilambar-Pitambar Jal Samriddhi Yojana and Poto-Ho Khel Yojana while struggling with the pandemic.

Criticising prime minister Narendra Modi, he further said, “Five kg of free ration to those in need till November is welcome, but where are the jobs. The PM should also have informed the nation about job creation,” he said.