Jharkhand: “Diesel filling in e-rickshaw, petrol vehicles,” newspaper report citing irregularities in ACWT sparks row

A row has erupted in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in payments of several dues linked to the Asian Women Championship Trophy (AWCT) 2023 held in Jharkhand’s capital, Ranchi between October and November last year.

The controversy over alleged irregularities of payments has erupted after a local daily newspaper published a report hinting at dubious payments of several bills linked to the championship, stirring a political row in the already charged-up political atmosphere of the state.

According to the claims made in the report which has been doing rounds on social media, a payment for diesel filling in a battery-operated e-rickshaw has been made by the Sports Directorate. Astonishingly the report also mentioned a similar payment made for filling diesel in a petrol car.

The paper cutting of the report which is being widely circulated by netizens and opposition leaders, further states that a whopping payment of Rs 19000 per plate has been made by the directorate linked to a State dinner organised during the games.

Furthermore, irregularities in the payments made for the LED screen has also been highlighted in the report. It’s been claimed that the department has paid 12 days rent for the screens while the tender document issued for renting of the screens talks about 8 days only. The report also pointed out about the adjustment made by the officials to allot the tender to a particular company.

The unearthing of the report ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections has provided another opportunity for the opposition who has been constantly training guns on the Jharkhand Mukti Morch led coalition government over corruption.

Taking to X, former Chief Minister and state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Babu Lal Marandi while sharing the paper cutting said that “the Jharkhand Sports Ministry has also played its part (Khel Mantralaya ne bhi Khela kar diya).”

झारखंड खेल मंत्रालय ने भी 'खेला' कर दिया है। राज्य के खेल निदेशालय ने :

– पेट्रोल कार में डीजल डालने के बिल का भुगतान कर दिया

– बैट्री से संचालित ई रिक्शा में भी डीजल भरने के बिल का भुगतान कर दिया

– 19 हजार रुपये प्रति प्लेट की थाली गटक गए

– चहेती एजेंसी को टेंडर देने के लिए… pic.twitter.com/BhD8lrdYlG

— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) June 13, 2024

While highlighting about the irregularities unearthed in the report, the BJP state president requested the Enforcement Directorate to take cognizance into the matter. “Sports Ministry has committed huge irregularities while organizing the Asian Women’s Hockey Championship. Just like the 2011 National Games held in Ranchi, a huge scam has been committed.”

Other than Marandi, several leaders of party also slammed the coalition government for promoting rampant corruption in the state. Targeting the government over the revelation made, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jharkhand state assembly, Amar Kumari Bauri said that “After coming to power, the ‘thug’ alliance government of Jharkhand is busy doing ‘Khel’. They have left no stone unturned in looting sports and sportsmen. Their first aim is to commit scam in everything.

संक्षेप में समझिए पूरा माजरा ⏬

• 550 मेहमानों के रात्रि भोज का खर्च ₹20.10 लाख, इसके ताम-झाम पर ही खर्च हो गये 83.78 लाख रुपये !

• पेट्रोल कार में डीजल भरवाने का किया गया बिल भुगतान

• वीआइपी डिनर पार्टी में गेस्ट के खाने पर करीब 19 हजार रुपये प्रति प्लेट के हिसाब से खर्च… pic.twitter.com/bDnKaV5Adu

— Amar Kumar Bauri (@amarbauri) June 13, 2024

“This useless and scam-ridden government has put Jharkhand’s reputation at stake by committing fraud in international sports events. Such hunger for money has been never seen before. It is shameful”.

After the report pertaining to irregularities goes viral, it also prompted reactions from the Sports Directorate who while refuting the allegations linked to the State dinner and LED screens informed that a committee has been formed to investigate about the alleged irregularities linked to diesel filling in e- rickshaw and petrol vehicle.

दिनांक 13.06.2024 को समाचार पत्र के माध्यम से ऐसा मामला प्रकाश में आया है झारखण्ड AWCT-2023 में State Dinner के दौरान प्रति प्लेट 19000 रूपये के दर से खाने का भुगतान किया गया।

यहां स्पष्ट करना है की आयोजन समिति की बैठक में लिए गए निर्णय एवम प्राप्त निर्देश के आलोक में State…

— Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Jharkhand (@SportsJhr) June 13, 2024

It is noteworthy that the incumbent JMM led coalition government of Jharkhand has been on the receiving end after revelations pertaining to alleged illegal stone mining scam and land grab scam have surfaced during ED’s investigation in the mineral-rich state.

Notably the former Chief Minister of the state, Hemant Soren is also lodging in jail after he was apprehended by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged land scam in January.

Other than the former CM, several close aides of Soren, including the former press advisor, Pintu Prasad and MLA representative, Pankaj Mishra are also in Jail for their alleged involvement in the land grab of around 8.5 acres and illegal stone mining scam worth 1000 crores as claimed by the ED.