Jharkhand Assembly Debates: CAG Report and Budgetary Uproar

Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore of Jharkhand presented the CAG report in the Assembly, sparking immediate reactions. The report detailed significant outstanding revenue figures, indicating potential financial challenges for the state. The report showed that ₹84.72 crore in revenue was outstanding as of March 31, 2024. A substantial portion, ₹38.91 crore, was overdue for more than five years. A portion of the outstanding amount, ₹7.72 crore, was tied up within the Excise and Prohibition Department, awaiting resolution in courts and other appellate bodies. While revenue receipts for fiscal year 2023-24 grew by 9.57% compared to the prior year, they fell short of budget projections by 10.58%. Revenue expenditure increased by 14.99%, although it remained below the budget estimates by ₹7,999.58 crore. The state managed a revenue surplus of ₹11,252.08 crore. During the same period, the state received ₹165.63 crore in GST compensation. Concurrently, the supplementary budget presented by the state government faced strong opposition. BJP MLAs Satyendra Nath Tiwari and Raj Sinha initiated a cut motion. When the Speaker rejected Raj Sinha’s proposal for a ₹10 cut, the ensuing disruption led Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato to adjourn the session until 2 PM. The House had earlier reconvened on Monday afternoon, with opposition members quickly resuming their protests regarding the Surya Hansda encounter. The ruling party members also joined the protests in the well of the House.