Avoid populist budget, ensure efficient spending: Jamshedpur MLA Saryu Roy to Jharkhand Finance Minister

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: In a press conference at his Bistupur residence, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy made a significant announcement regarding the formation of Public Facilities Committees for the Mango Municipal Corporation and JNAC areas. These committees, as per Roy, will be open to anyone interested in addressing local issues like water, electricity, roads, drains and garbage. He emphasized that members need not belong to any political party, as long as they have a deep understanding of their area’s problems and are committed to finding solutions.

“I want to involve the community directly in resolving local issues, irrespective of their political affiliations. These committees will play a crucial role in improving our city’s basic infrastructure,” said Roy.

He also voiced his concerns about the state of the Mango Municipal Corporation, stating that the corporation has no office and questioned the logistical challenges surrounding its upcoming elections. Roy noted that despite a court order mandating the elections within four months, the corporation lacks a proper administrative setup. He expressed urgency, stating, “Where will the winners sit if the elections are held without basic infrastructure?”

Furthermore, Saryu Roy appealed to Jharkhand’s Finance Minister to avoid falling into the trap of populist budget and urged the government to allocate resources effectively. He said, “The state government must ensure that the allocated budget is spent efficiently. Right now, we see the situation where budgets are being surrendered in December and reallocated to other departments. This will not help improve the economy.”

Roy also criticized the weak administrative structure in Jharkhand, explaining that despite receiving central funds, the state struggles with spending them. “The administration must take responsibility for the unused funds. Ministers and secretaries need to be held accountable for their departments’ inefficiencies,” he stated.

Addressing concerns over Jharkhand’s economic situation, he pointed to the failure of the state government to auction and license iron ore mines, which was part of their responsibility. Roy stressed that these issues need immediate attention to boost the state’s economy. “The state government should not engage in unnecessary conflicts with the Centre. It should coordinate with the central government to move the state forward,” he advised.

Additionally, Roy questioned the government’s claim of owing Rs 1.36 lakh crore from the Centre. He urged the government to clarify the details of this debt and explain the real financial situation to the public. “Simply asking for the money won’t work. Transparency is key,” he added.

Finally, Roy called for Jharkhand to transition from a consumer state to a producer state, which would lead to more sustainable growth and avoid losses in GST. He emphasized, “We need to create internal resources, not depend solely on external funding. Only then can we expect real progress in our state.”