In a dramatic move highlighting public discontent, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Raj Sinha initiated an indefinite strike on Monday, targeting the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC). The protest, staged at the main gate of the civic body's office, accuses the municipal authority of complete inaction and a stark lack of development projects within the urban circle for several years.
Allegations of Inactivity and Indifference
MLA Raj Sinha, accompanied by his supporters, launched the sit-in demonstration, expressing severe frustration with the DMC's performance. He charged the corporation with becoming inactive and indifferent towards the fundamental needs of Dhanbad's citizens. Sinha pointedly stated that for the past six years, the city has seen a virtual freeze on all essential civic works.
No new streetlights have been installed, no roads constructed, drainage systems have been left unrepaired, and no new civic projects have been initiated, according to the MLA. He condemned the paradox of the DMC continuing to collect user charges from residents despite this prolonged period of infrastructural neglect, calling it a grave injustice to the people.
Probe as an Excuse and Financial Crippling
Sinha linked the current administrative paralysis to the ongoing Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into a major Rs 200 crore tender scam that allegedly occurred during the tenure of former mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal. He claimed that this probe has become a convenient excuse for the DMC to avoid performing its basic duties.
Furthermore, the BJP MLA highlighted a critical financial angle to the crisis. He alleged that the lack of funds is a primary reason stalling all development work. Sinha explained that the state government's diversion of funds to schemes like the Maiya Samman Yojana has left the DMC financially crippled. This financial mismanagement, he asserted, has brought all development activities in the district to a complete standstill.
Public Protest Demands Action
The indefinite strike by an elected representative underscores the deepening rift between the citizens of Dhanbad and their civic administration. By taking his protest directly to the DMC's doorstep, Sinha aims to force the corporation into accountability and action. The situation brings to the forefront critical issues of urban governance, fund allocation, and the tangible impact of corruption probes on daily civic life. The protest continues as citizens await a concrete response from the municipal authorities regarding the resumption of long-overdue development work.
