Youngest woman MLA’s horse-ride to Jharkhand Assembly on Women’s Day

Oppn corners government on illegal sand mining, lathicharge on protestors at NTPC site

Ranchi, March 8: On International Women’s Day on Tuesday, Congress lawmaker from Barkagaon assembly constituency in Jharkhand, Amba Prasad became the centre of attraction when she reached the assembly riding on a horse.

She said the purpose of riding a horse to the assembly is to send across a message that women are second to none. She said women have proved themselves in every field as and when the need arose.

The horse has been gifted to her by a retired Army officer.

Amba Prasad wanted to go inside the assembly premises riding on the horse, but the security personnel stopped her at the gate citing security reasons.

Talking to media persons, she said, “I am proud to be a woman. Today women have proved themselves in every field. It is my request to the society not to keep women confined within the four walls of the house.”

She also appealed to women to know their rights and duties and use their full potential for the development of the society.

Amba Prasad, 28, is the youngest MLA in the Jharkhand Assembly. Her father Yogendrasao, mother Nirmala Devi have also been MLAs from Barkagaon seat.

The opposition criticised the JMM-led government in Jharkhand in the assembly on Tuesday for allegedly allowing illegal sand mining, saying it was causing a huge loss to the state exchequer.

BJP MLA Biranchi Narayan alleged that illegal sand mining was rampant in the state, some other lawmakers demanded setting up a House committee to probe the matter.

Pointing out that there are 608 sand ghats in the state, AJSU party chief and Silli MLA Sudesh Mahto said “Of the total, 22 sand ghats are operated by the corporation (Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation). I would like to ask the government as to who has been operating the remaining 586 sand ghats for the past two years.” The AJSU party chief said that in the absence of legal operation of the sand ghats, huge revenue loss was being incurred by the public exchequer.

“In 2019-20, as many as 888 sand vehicles were seized and a sum of Rs 409 lakh was realised. In 2020-21, 1,082 vehicles were seized and Rs 248 lakh was realised. A total of 1,325 vehicles were seized in 2021-22 and Rs 268 lakh was realised,” Mahto said.

BJP legislative party leader Babulal Marandi demanded that until the government can find any solution to un-auctioned sand ghats, sand trucks should not be stopped by the police for carrying construction materials within the state.

Independent MLA Saryu Roy, NCP legislator Kamlesh Kumar Singh, and BJP legislator Bhanu Pratap Sahi termed it a serious issue and sought immediate intervention from the government.

Replying to the issue, Jharkhand Minister Badal Patralekh said, “The selection of MDOs (mine developer and operators) is under process for 586 sand ghats, which will be completed within 15 days. Till now, no one is operating them legally.” Badal assured the House that he would write a letter to the police department directing all police stations not to harass vehicles involved in sand transportation and action will be taken if such incidents are reported.

Later, Congress’ Barkagaon legislator Amba Prasad raised the issue of alleged police lathi-charge on agitators, who have been staging dharna against National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for 13 months at Tandwa in Jharkhand’s Chatra district.

The protestors are demanding payment of compensation for crop damage due to coal pollution in the area, suitable action for checking environmental pollution, and employment opportunities for the local people.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Alamgir Alam gave an assurance that action will be taken within 24 hours.