Concerns raised over lack of transparency and representation in decision-making
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Dec 19: Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy has taken a stand in the Assembly, urging the government to reconsider its recent decision to declare Jamshedpur as an industrial city. In a motion presented during the Assembly session on Tuesday, Roy emphasized the need for immediate communication with the Assembly when significant policy decisions are made.
Following the commencement of the Assembly session on December 15, the government made the decision to confer industrial city status upon Jamshedpur. However, Roy pointed out that the Assembly had not been officially informed about this decision, raising concerns about transparency and procedural adherence.
Referring to Article 243Q of the Constitution, Roy highlighted the criteria for declaring an area as an industrial town, specifying the involvement of the Governor in determining the size based on population and municipal services. The Constitution allows for the public notification of such decisions in areas where municipalities have not been formed.
Roy drew attention to the government’s resolution, designating the entire land area of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee as an Industrial Area Committee. While the wards to be included were mentioned, Roy noted the absence of information about the election of officers and the role of representatives in this proposed Industrial City Committee.
Addressing the Assembly, Roy asserted, “I have read the resolution and notification draft of declaring Jamshedpur as an industrial city by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Jharkhand and have come to the conclusion that various Durga Puja committees formed to conduct the Durga Puja activities have better draft rules than the draft notification decided by the Council of Ministers.”
Roy urged the Assembly Speaker to ensure representation of legally elected representatives from various wards in the Jamshedpur Industrial Area Committee. He also requested the government to present the Council of Ministers’ notification before the Assembly, allowing for consideration and potential modifications in the public interest.
Emphasizing the importance of public participation, Roy called for the government to reconsider the decision, ensuring democratic rights for the citizens of Jamshedpur in the proposed Jamshedpur Industrial City Committee. Additionally, he advocated for provisions to guarantee transparency in the sharing of expenditures between the government and Tata Steel Limited, including proper accounting and audit procedures.
