Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Bihar government for withdrawing Rs 3,662 crore from the state's emergency fund to finance a pension scheme. He termed the move as a serious financial mismanagement and accused the ruling coalition of playing with public money.
Details of the Withdrawal
According to official documents accessed by the opposition, the Bihar government has withdrawn a substantial amount of Rs 3,662 crore from the Contingency Fund, which is meant to be used only for unforeseen emergencies. The fund, by law, cannot be utilized for regular budgetary expenses without prior legislative approval.
The money has been reportedly diverted to fund the 'Mukhyamantri Vridhajan Pension Yojana', a scheme that provides monthly pensions to elderly citizens. While the scheme itself is a social welfare measure, the manner in which it has been financed has raised eyebrows.
Tejashwi Yadav's Statement
Addressing a press conference, Yadav said, "The Bihar government has resorted to an unconstitutional method to fund its pension scheme. This is a clear case of financial indiscipline and a betrayal of the people's trust. The Contingency Fund is not a piggy bank for the government to dip into whenever it pleases."
He further demanded a detailed explanation from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on how they plan to replenish the fund. "This withdrawal violates all norms of fiscal prudence. The government must immediately restore the amount and seek proper approval from the legislature," he added.
Government's Response
In response, government officials defended the move, stating that the withdrawal was necessary to ensure timely payment of pensions to lakhs of beneficiaries. They argued that the pension scheme is a flagship program and that the government has the authority to use the contingency fund in exceptional circumstances.
However, critics point out that the fund's rules explicitly restrict its use to emergencies such as natural disasters or unforeseen contingencies, not for routine social welfare schemes. The opposition has threatened to raise the issue in the upcoming session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Political Implications
The controversy comes at a time when the ruling Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is already facing criticism over its handling of the state's economy. Bihar's fiscal health has been under strain, with revenue deficits and rising debt levels. The opposition has been accusing the government of profligate spending and lack of transparency.
Tejashwi Yadav's attack is seen as an attempt to corner the government on financial mismanagement ahead of the next state elections. The RJD leader has been positioning himself as a champion of fiscal responsibility and good governance.
The issue is likely to dominate political discourse in Bihar in the coming days, with both sides gearing up for a bitter war of words. The state's taxpayers and pensioners alike will be watching closely to see how this financial controversy unfolds.
