Uproar in House over job card distribution

Patna, Dec 13(UNI) Opposition voiced discontent in Bihar Assembly today over distribution of job cards under Employment Gurantee Scheme (EGS) and removal of slum dwellers under master plan.

Reacting to the reply of Bihar Rural Development Minister Baidyanath Prasad Mahto, who informed about distribution of 14877 job cards in Barsoi block and 5994 in Balrampur block of Katihar district and creation of 2,15,000 man days at an expenditure of Rs 2.43 crore, the entire opposition created uproar in the House alleging that no job card had been distributed under the EGS and the scheme was in shambles all over the state.

RJD leader Ramchandra Purvey said the government had no work to provide to the card holders as it had not made any work plan.

Another RJD leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan said the government should announce a timeframe for providing jobs to the card holders.

Meanwhile, the entire opposition was on its feet and was seen indulging in heated exhange with the ruling party MLAs.

Intervening into the situation, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the expenditure and creation of man days in Barsoi and Balrampur blocks indicate that job cards were being distributed and the government had to pay 25 percent of the minimum wages to the card holders in case they were not given work within fifteen days of applying.

Dissatisfied with the government's reply, the entire opposition trooped to the well and shouted anti-government slogans.

The members, however, considered the request of the chair and resumed their seats.

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