A Jharkhand committee that met once since inception

By IANS,

Ranchi : The Jharkhand steering committee, formed by the state United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to run the Madhu Koda government smoothly, has held only one meeting since its inception.


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The chairman of the committee, set up Nov 13, 2007, is former central minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren.

The 11-member steering committee was provided office by the government. While inaugurating it, Soren announced holding of the committee’s meeting twice a month.

The committee was formed to review the working of the state government, resolve any crisis among the UPA partners and suggest to the government to undertake people related efforts. In Jharkhand, the Madhu Koda government is supported by JMM, the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Incidentally, the lone meeting held till date was boycotted by the Congress.

“There is no need for such a steering committee in the state UPA. The Koda government is not addressing the issues raised by the Congress. We are fighting on corruption issue and concerned about the development of the state. Unless both issues are addressed, there is no meaning of any such committee,” said Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, a member of the committee and state Congress president.

RJD legislator and committee member Annapurna Devi said: “There is no meaning of (such a) steering committee.”

“When the committee meeting will be convened, only then any issue can be discussed. The committee should be strengthened and meeting should take place on a regular basis so that people and government related issues can be discussed,” said Stephen Marandi, deputy chief minister and a committee member.

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