Opposition's introspection needed: Hemant Soren urges opposition to rethink accusations as assembly session concludes; Highlights scholarship challenges and state development plans

Ranchi: Opposition parties should first introspect and consult their top leadership before accusing the Jharkhand govt on various issues, including the delay in disbursement of scholarships to students, chief minister Hemant Soren said at the closing of the state assembly’s winter session on Thursday.He further said that during the session, his minister explained how the delay in the release of its share by the Centre impeded the scholarship payment, adding that the step-motherly treatment of Jharkhand by the BJP-led Union govt was not new.He said that the state govt was prepared to give detailed replies if the opposition parties asked meaningful questions. He added that instead of moving a cut in the supplementary budget, the opposition should have demanded an increase.He alleged that the BJP-led govt shut down schools in the state while the Centre reduced the amount of scholarships for minorities at pre-matric and post-matric levels and other heads. He added that his govt increased scholarships for students and that free coaching is being provided to weaker section students for competitive examinations.He said that a new chapter is being written in the education field with the opening of several new universities. He said that the 25-year roadmap of the state govt would remove all hindrances in education.On the debate on Vande Mataram in Parliament, he asked how many poor people would benefit from such a step, adding how much employment it would create.He said that the Centre has deployed most of its forces in the tribal and forest areas of the country with the aim of handing the land over to the capitalists in the future.He also raised questions over the Covid vaccine, saying that after its use, the rate of diseases has increased, and people are getting affected by cancer and heart problems.In the concluding remarks, speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto said that as many as 301 questions, comprising short notice, starred, and un-starred, were accepted for the session. He said that the five-day proceeding would speed up the development of the state.The speaker also mentioned that during sharp exchanges in the proceedings, unparliamentary language was used and hoped that it would not occur in future sessions. He announced that the assembly session has been adjourned sine die.