Saryu Roy criticizes Banna Gupta and Ajoy Kumar during protest at DC Office over delayed development projects
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, October 1: Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy led a sit-in protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, accompanied by hundreds of workers, to address the slow progress of development projects in the city. During his protest, Roy criticized Health Minister Banna Gupta and senior Congress leader Dr. Ajoy Kumar. The demonstration was also attended by members of Janata Dal (U) and Bharatiya Jantantra Morcha.
In his speech, Roy emphasized that he had implemented schemes worth ₹155 crore over the past three years. However, projects worth ₹30 crore remained stalled despite the funds being allocated to the district. Roy pointed out that after announcing the sit-in protest, the Deputy Commissioner became active and sought a written explanation for the delays from all concerned.
Response to Dr. Ajoy Kumar’s Criticism
Roy responded to Dr. Ajoy Kumar’s queries regarding unemployment, stating that it was the Congress-JMM government, of which Kumar’s party is a part, that should be answering such questions. Roy clarified that he had presented a proposal four times in the assembly regarding ownership rights, but the state government never accepted it. He accused Dr. Kumar of lacking knowledge on these matters and simply raising questions without proper understanding.
Roy further criticized Dr. Ajoy Kumar for not holding Tata Steel accountable for certain public issues, highlighting that Tata Steel only established a water treatment plant in Babudih due to the pressure his team applied. While pipelines have been laid, water supply has yet to commence, which is why Roy and his supporters are protesting.
Municipality Issue in Jamshedpur
Roy also addressed the absence of a Municipal Corporation in Jamshedpur, the only major city in India without one. He called for the merger of Tata Steel UISL (formerly Jusco) and the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) to form a Municipal Corporation or, at the very least, an Industrial City Committee. Roy noted that the proposal for an Industrial City Committee had been passed, but Banna Gupta had obstructed its formation by insisting on becoming the chairman, which led to a stalemate.
Health Minister’s Interference
Roy accused Health Minister Banna Gupta of stalling the formation of the committee due to personal ambitions. Gupta pressured the cabinet to pass a resolution making the local minister the chairman, but Roy asserted that such a move violated the law. Roy blamed Gupta for the lack of cleanliness and other municipal services in the area, stating that his selfish motives were hampering progress.
The protest was aimed at ensuring these stalled development projects were completed, and Roy expressed hope that action would be taken soon to address the city’s pressing issues.
Minister closes two roads in Kadma, Saryu Roy criticizes move
Jamshedpur, October 1: Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy has criticized Health Minister Banna Gupta for closing two Tata Steel roads in Kadma, causing significant inconvenience to local residents. Roy stated that people living in flats were now forced to take longer detours due to these closures. When a local resident, Sanjeev Acharya, raised the issue, an FIR was lodged against him, causing him to back down in fear.
Roy emphasized that the ongoing sit-in protest also aimed to push the Deputy Commissioner and JNAC to implement pending development schemes worth ₹30 crore. He urged them to hold Tata Steel and Jusco accountable for not completing their assigned work.
Additionally, Roy announced that a long-pending project, a bridge over the Swarnarekha River from Litti Chowk to Bhilai Pahadi National Highway, along with a 4 km road, had been approved after persistent efforts. The foundation stone for the project will be laid by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on October 4.
