Even if the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has been made public and it has been placed before the Parliament, it will be interesting to wait and watch – What next? The issue of ‘Illegal Mining’ is not something ‘new’ which has been brought to the notice of the Central Government. The income leakage or seepage is not a ‘strange thing’ to happen in Jharkhand! Not any more! No wonder, so many Industrial Houses have signed numerous MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Jharkhand Government during past eight years and they are waiting anxiously ‘on the wings’ for the ‘take off’! Availability of basic raw materials, cheap labour, easy land, no Government control, income tax and excise duties (?!?) ……………. What’s more one needs to prosper at the expense of the ‘common man’ and ‘Casual Governmental Administration’! So much of irregularities, misappropriation, mismanagement ……..so on so forth have been reported to the Government in the past as well. We, as citizens of India are entitled to know – what happens after such reporting? Don’t we? Why the culprits are NOT punished and made accountable for the ‘misappropriation’ and ‘losses? In our country, there is no punishment for ‘Collective Irresponsibility’! Unfortunately, everything is covered up with the passage of time. After all, public memory is too short. In fact, they have better things to do i.e. to make both ends meet and to ensure two square meals for the family! IF such income and funds allotted are ‘utilised’ for the so-called development of Indigenous Peoples in right perspective – would they still be called backwards, illiterate, undignified boors……..? Who is to be blamed? Even after sixty two years of Independence and eight years of Statehood, Jharkhand is still reeling under under-development status! Ironically, we blame the ‘Indigenous Peoples’ but WHO had the rein of administration in the State? Why the big-wigs of BJP and Congress parties do not own the responsibilities of their failures and take appropriate plan-of-action to do the needful? What a wishful thinking!!!!! - John Denis Horo Mumbai
