NEARLY two years into the pandemic, with extreme financial misery throughout, that is one set of payments the Jharkhand Cupboard may have completed with out: over Rs 42 lakh from distributors for 2 unofficial cricket matches involving MLAs and mediapersons held in March, together with one through which Chief Minister Hemant Soren was man of the match.
In accordance with information obtained by The Indian Categorical from the Division of Tourism, Artwork, Tradition, Sports activities and Youth Affairs beneath the Proper to Info (RTI) Act, these payments stay “beneath course of”. A senior official instructed The Indian Categorical that the set of payments was not cleared twice earlier — as soon as on the Departmental stage after which on the Cupboard stage.
Of the overall quantity, RTI information present that the price of new kits alone added as much as Rs 33 lakh — tracksuits, t-shirts, caps, equipment luggage, socks and footwear. Each the matches have been tennis-ball cricket video games, which often don’t require protecting gear, equivalent to pads, gloves, guards and helmets.
In accordance with the official, the sports activities items procured have been distributed to over 100 folks, together with State Meeting officers and staff, all of the 82 MLAs, and mediapersons. Solely 33 individuals truly took to the sector, the official mentioned.
The official mentioned the “work order” for the products was not issued by way of tendering, which is why the proposal to pay was signed by Sports activities Minister Hafizul Hassan and despatched to the Cupboard for approval. When contacted, Hassan, who’s an MLA from Madhupur, mentioned: “I don’t wish to say something on this matter.”
Sports activities Division Secretary Amitabh Kushal was not accessible for remark. Official sources mentioned these matches are “performed yearly, and that is nothing new”.
Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav, who performed one match, mentioned: “We performed to provide a message to folks to advertise sports activities. It was additionally like a get-together. No matter we bought was of very top quality and I’m nonetheless utilizing the footwear…I don’t have any concept how a lot the payments got here as much as.” The Congress is a part of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand with Soren’s JMM and RJD.
The primary match was performed on March 18 between the Chief Minister’s XI, together with Soren, and the Speaker’s XI, led by Speaker Rabindranath Mahato. The Speaker’s XI scored 74 runs in 10 overs to beat the CM’s XI, which had earlier scored 73 in 12 overs. Soren, who made 11 runs, was declared man of the match.
RTI information present payments totalling Rs 30.85 lakh have been raised for this match performed on the Jharkhand State Cricket Affiliation (JSCA) stadium, together with Rs 23.99 lakh for tracksuits, t-shirts, caps, equipment luggage, socks and footwear; Rs 3.17 lakh for dinner packets and snacks; and Rs 1.29 lakh as provide gasoline for the lights, other than payments for different gadgets.
The second match was performed on March 22 on the Birsa Munda athletics stadium the place the CM’s XI made 191 for 4 in 15 overs and restricted the rival crew, Media XI, to 153 for 2 in 15 overs.
RTI information present that payments totalling greater than Rs 11.33 lakh have been raised for this match, together with Rs 9.37 lakh for tracksuits, t-shirts, caps, equipment luggage, socks and footwear, other than payments for different gadgets.
Talking on the situation of anonymity, Sports activities Division officers mentioned Cupboard clearance was sought as per prescribed norms for quantities over Rs 1.5 lakh.
A type of who obtained a brand new cricket equipment was Vinod Singh, the CPI (M-L) MLA from Bagodar.
“I had gone to look at the match for a couple of minutes and my helper obtained a bag with tracksuits, footwear and different gadgets. I didn’t wish to take it however because it had already been given, I didn’t return it. My helper took it with him. However the concern stays that the federal government shouldn’t spend such quantities on such matches for present. It ought to spend cash on the panchayat stage for strengthening the state’s sporting tradition,” Singh mentioned.
