Agencies, Patna
RJD chief Lalu Prasad today demanded high level inquiry, alleging that Rs 10 crores from state exchequer was being siphoned off in every district during ‘Vikas Sameeksha Yatra’ of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as fund was being spent like water for the Yatra by district administration on the directive of state government, flouting all established norms.
Mr Prasad told media persons here that Mr Kumar, currently on ‘Vikas Sameeksha Yatra’ to review progress of various development projects in the districts, was infact engaged in bolstering his image at the state expenses.
All arrangements including public meetings were being organised at government expenses and instructions to concerned officials had already been issued in this connection, he added.
RJD chief while releasing a letter issued by Principal Secretary of state cabinet coordination department Brajesh Mehrotra, said that instructions had been issued to all Zonal Inspector Generals, Deputy Inspector Generals, Divisional Commissioners, District Magistrates and District Police Superintendents to make all required arrangements for the ‘Vikas Sameeksha Yatra’ of the Chief Minister.
“Altogether 4,000 women are to be brought to venue of the public meeting by the local administration in every district,” Mr Prasad said adding that criteria for selection of the women had also been defined in the letter.
Women selected to attend the public meeting should not be above the age of 60 years and she should not be pregnant, he said quoting the letter and added that children accompanying them also should not be less than 15 years.
RJD chief said that vehicles would also be provided for transportation of the women to venue and arrangement for lunch would also be made for them by the district administration. Besides, such women would also be paid Rs 75 by the district administration for attending the event, he added.
Mr Prasad said similar instructions had also been issued to ensure presence of Jeevika volunteers. It was a mega exercise being carried out at government expenses aimed at bolstering the image of Mr Kumar, he said adding that funds were being spent under different heads without following the established norms.
“Even by conservative estimate, there is scam of atleast Rs 10 crores in every district during ‘Vikas Sameeksha Yatra’ of Mr Kumar,” RJD chief said and demanded a thorough inquiry into the scam to assess quantum of fund being siphoned off and also those involved in it.
Mr Prasad said his party would make aware the people about how Mr Kumar was trying to improve his image at the expenses of government fund. RJD workers would not sit idle and expose the failures of Nitish Kumar government on all fronts, he added.
