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Jharkhand supplementary budget passed amid chaos

Opposition UPA members twice stage walk-out in State Assembly

Ranchi: The Opposition UPA in Jharkhand on Monday staged walk-out twice on separate issues -- protesting against Home Minister Sudesh Mahto's reply on security-related matters followed by uproarious scene decrying the Government's move to pass the first supplementary budget.

The BJP-led NDA passed the Rs 529-crore supplementary budget by voice vote following a three-hour discussion on it during which Finance Minister Raghubar Das conceded to the allegation of spending only 18 per cent of the budget allocation in the past five months even as what he termed as better than previous UPA Government in the State.

As the House reassembled after the question hour to take up the passing of the budget, Girinath Singh (RJD) moved a cut motion saying there was no need of the supplementary budget.

Mr Singh suggested that whatever the funds allocated for developmental projects, the Government should ensure that it is implemented properly. The Government had failed to use the Central funds, he said questioning the need of passing the supplementary budget.

Radha Krishna Kishore (JD-U) from the Treasury bench alleged that in the past five months the Government had not been able to spend more than 18 per cent of the total budget provision.

Raising questions on budgetary provision for Home department, Mr Kishore said slow disposal of pending cases on all fronts, including deterioration of law and order, were causes of concern.

Leader of Opposition Sudhir Mahto also echoed the same and demanded that the budget should not be passed.

In his reply Finance minister Raghubar Das admitted that the Government could spend only 18 per cent in the past five months and claimed that the rate of development was far better than the UPA Government while in power. Then he gave a list of various developmental projects undertaken by the Government.

Protest against reply

When the voting was taking place, the Opposition made a hue and cry protesting against the minister's reply before leaving the House.

Earlier, during the question hour the entire Opposition walked out as they were not happy with Home Minister Sudesh Mahto's reply on a security related matter.

Replying to a starred question by Pradeep Balmuchu (Congress), Mr Mahto said police picket at Ghanghari in Chatra district would be returned but he did not specify when. The Opposition who pressed hard for a specific reply finally left the House. UNI

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Jharkhand supplementary budget passed amid chaos

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