Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcements yet to see the light of day even after 18 months as Bihar still awaits the bounty of Rs 1.25 lakh-crore announced by him during the poll campaign in October 2015 elections.
Ironically, the promises which were made during Bihar polls are yet to be completed even PM announcing sops to lure voters ahead of Uttar Pardesh polls. During election rallies Modi assured that if the BJP came into power they will waive off farmers’ loans in first cabinet meeting.
“About the Rs 125,003-crore special package for Bihar, announced by PM for August 18, 2015 Parmar’s terse reply said that ‘the projects/works will be completed in a phased manner’ though not a paisa has been released till date,” RTI activist Galgali said.
Anil Galgali filed RTI with the Union Finance Ministry in December 2016 seeking details of Modi’s assurances on massive financial aid or development packages to various states.
A similar situation prevails on the Rs 80,068 crore aid package Modi announced on November 7, 2015 for Jammu and Kashmir, where the BJP is a junior partner in the ruling coalition.
It was intended to be used for long term relief and development after the state was hit by devastating floods that year, the RTI reply indicates.
That’s not all. An aid package of Rs 43,589 to enhance tourism infrastructure sought by Sikkim on June 15, 2016, is yet to be disbursed even as the tourism season is around the corner.
Galgali said this delay was hardly surprising since Sikkim, ruled by Chief Minister PK Chamling since December 1994, would face assembly elections only in mid-2019.
In fact, in recent months, several leaders from various parties have been criticising the manner in which promised financial aid packages for various state governments, announced with an eye on local elections, have not materialised.
