Jharkhand Government to Request Equal Cost Sharing for Rail Bridges from Railways
In a significant development during the state assembly session on Wednesday, Minister Sudivya Kumar announced that the Jharkhand government will formally write to the Indian Railways, requesting that the expenditure for constructing rail overbridges (ROBs) and rail underbridges (RUBs) be done on a 50:50 sharing basis. This move aims to address the financial burden currently borne disproportionately by the state.
Current Cost Structure and State's Financial Burden
Replying to questions raised by MLA Kalpana Soren regarding the share of expenditure, trespassing on railway tracks, and passenger facilities, Minister Kumar provided detailed insights. He stated that while the railways currently provides 50% of the civil construction cost for ROBs and RUBs, the state government bears the entire cost of approach roads and land acquisition. This arrangement results in the overall expenditure for the state reaching approximately 65% of the total project costs, creating a substantial financial strain.
Additional Requests to Railways
Beyond the primary issue of cost-sharing, the minister outlined several other key points that will be included in the communication to the railways:
- Construction of RUBs in High-Trespassing Areas: The railways will be requested to build rail underbridges in locations where a significant number of people are observed illegally crossing railway tracks, thereby enhancing safety and reducing accidents.
- Enhancement of Passenger Facilities: Given Jharkhand's substantial contribution to railway revenue, the state government plans to raise the issue of improving passenger amenities and infrastructure within the state to better serve commuters and travelers.
Other Key Discussions in the Assembly
The assembly session witnessed several other important debates and announcements:
Appointment of Vice-Chancellors: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishana Kishore addressed allegations raised by MLA Pradeep Yadav regarding the appointment of outsiders as vice-chancellors of state universities. Kishore stated that the government has taken cognisance of these concerns and will discuss the matter with the higher education secretary before submitting a detailed report. This follows a notification from the governor's office on Tuesday appointing VCs for Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Jharkhand State Open University, and Jamshedpur Women's University.
Heated Exchange Over West Asia Conflict: The session faced a temporary adjournment of about half an hour after opposition MLAs demanded that a statement by Minister Kishore be expunged. Kishore had alleged that India's prestige had been compromised in the ongoing West Asia conflict, specifically referencing the Israel-Iran war. The minister countered by claiming that the central government had "sold India's prestige to the US," leading to heated exchanges between treasury and opposition benches before Speaker Rabindranath Mahto adjourned the House to restore order.
Housing Scheme Discussion: MLA Hemlal Murmu raised questions about the higher demand for houses under the state's Abua Awas Yojana compared to the central government's PM Awas Yojana. Minister Deepika Pandey clarified that this disparity is due to the higher grant of Rs 2 lakh provided by the state under Abua Awas Yojana, as opposed to the Rs 1.20 lakh grant under the PM scheme. She revealed that the state has repeatedly requested the Centre to increase the PM Awas Yojana grant to Rs 2 lakh to ensure parity and better support for beneficiaries.
Procedural and Budgetary Matters
During the morning session, Speaker Rabindranath Mahto directed officials to ensure that replies to questions raised by MLAs are both accurate and provided in a timely manner, emphasizing the importance of accountability and efficiency in legislative proceedings.
In a significant legislative action, the assembly passed the budgets for several key departments after thorough discussions. The approved budgets include:
- Home, Prison, and Disaster Management Department
- Health Department
- Food and Civil Supplies Department
These budgetary approvals reflect the state government's priorities in areas critical to public safety, healthcare, and essential supplies, marking a productive conclusion to the day's legislative agenda.
