Jharkhand Finance Minister Slams Centre Over Rs 13,000 Crore Funding Shortfall
In a heated budget debate in Ranchi on Saturday, Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore launched a sharp critique against the central government, accusing it of withholding approximately Rs 13,000 crore in funds owed to Jharkhand for the 2025-26 financial year. The minister detailed that this amount comprises Rs 5,161 crore from the state's share in taxes and Rs 8,558 crore in grant-in-aid, which he claimed has severely hampered the state's fiscal operations.
Impact on State Revenue and Schemes
Kishore emphasized that Jharkhand's own tax collection currently stands at 81%, but he asserted it could have surged to 90-95% within the remaining 15 days of the fiscal year if the central funds had been disbursed. He labeled the Union government as non-cooperative, highlighting that the delay has directly affected critical state initiatives.
Adding to the financial woes, Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation and Excise, Yogendra Prasad, pointed out that the central government has failed to allocate funds for the Nal Jal Yojna (NJY), a key scheme aimed at providing clean drinking water. Prasad revealed that Rs 6,270 crore under NJY is pending, with no allocation in 2025-26 and only Rs 70 crore in 2024-25, leading to significant implementation delays.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Corruption
During the debate, Kishore disclosed an inquiry uncovering that fixed deposits from the tourism and energy departments with two public sector banks were not repaid. After the state government ceased deposits with these banks, one agreed to repay Rs 45 crore out of Rs 50 crore, with plans to escalate the issue to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Furthermore, Kishore announced an investigation into Rs 10,000 crore of public funds allegedly missing from 2000 to 2022. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi echoed concerns, alleging corruption in the excise department and claiming that Rs 9,737 crore allocated to various departments from 2001 to 2022 remains unaccounted for.
Broader Issues Raised in the Assembly
The discussion also touched on other pressing matters. In response to MLA Roushan Lal Mahto's query on drug abuse, Prasad assured that special teams would be formed to prevent youths from using banned substances. Marandi criticized the state government for failing to install 4G jammers in prisons over the past year, allowing mobile phone use by inmates, and accused organized crime groups of extorting traders.
Additionally, MLA Neera Yadav called for the implementation of an act to protect journalists, underscoring the need for media safety in the region.
The debate highlighted ongoing tensions between the state and central governments over financial support, with ministers urging prompt action to address the funding gaps and ensure effective governance in Jharkhand.
