Jharkhand's Health Minister, Irfan Ansari, found himself at the centre of a political storm on Monday after the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit launched a scathing attack, accusing him of constitutional violations and misusing his office. The minister, however, dismissed the allegations, stating that steps taken within his department were purely an internal matter.
BJP's Allegations: Jobs for Money and Ground Reality
BJP spokesperson Rafia Naaz led the charge, alleging a severe deterioration in the state's healthcare system. She directly targeted Minister Ansari, claiming he had failed to fulfill his mandate. The core of her accusation revolved around statements allegedly made by the minister.
"The recent repeated statements made by the health minister that he can provide jobs at Rs 3 lakh per month salary or arrange postings at will is a direct violation of the constitutional system and service rules," Naaz asserted. She emphasized that no legal provision allows a minister to directly give jobs or make appointments based on money or influence.
Legal Ramifications and Budget Misuse Claims
Rafia Naaz outlined the potential legal consequences for such actions. She stated that if a minister violates the Constitution and service rules in this manner, he is guilty of misuse of office under Section 13(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She further warned that ministers, MLAs, and officials found guilty under Section 13(2) could face imprisonment ranging from 4 to 10 years along with a hefty fine.
Beyond the corruption allegations, the BJP leader also raised serious questions about financial management in the health department. She pointed out that the state's total health budget is around Rs 7,427.50 crore, with an additional supplementary budget of Rs 729 crore. Shockingly, she alleged that more than 10% of these funds are not being effectively utilised at the ground level, crippling essential services.
Chaibasa Incident Highlights Systemic Failure
To underscore the alleged neglect, Naaz referred to the grim situation in Chaibasa. She accused the health minister of being preoccupied with "reels and rhetoric" while basic health facilities remain out of reach for common people. "Operations are conducted under torchlights and children and patients are dying due to lack of timely medical assistance," she claimed, painting a picture of a healthcare system in crisis where even ambulances are not reliably available.
The confrontation sets the stage for a heated political battle in Jharkhand, with the opposition BJP demanding accountability for both alleged corruption and the deplorable state of healthcare infrastructure, despite the allocation of thousands of crores of rupees.
