Banna Gupta Aide Alleges MLA Is Pushing a Contractor’s Pending Bill Payment
Key Points:
- Om Prakash Singh addresses press conference in Jamshedpur on Sunday
- Mayor Sudha Gupta’s camp questions purpose of July 27 demonstration
- Saryu Roy has issued no official response to the allegations
JAMSHEDPUR – A political row has erupted in Mango over sanitation, days before a sit-in announced by the local MLA for July 27.
Om Prakash Singh addressed a press conference on Sunday. He works as private secretary to Banna Gupta, the former health minister.
Singh levelled corruption allegations against Saryu Roy. He also attacked the working style of Krishna Kumar, the deputy commissioner of JNAC.
Moreover, he claimed the legislator was building pressure through the announced agitation. The purpose, he alleged, was to release a favoured contractor’s withheld bill.
“This entire exercise is about one contractor’s dues,” Singh said. He added that residents of the locality were being misled.
However, Singh went further on the political motive. He said gains were being sought behind the shield of public interest.
Meanwhile, supporters of Mayor Sudha Gupta have opened a front of their own. They have raised questions about the intent behind the July 27 protest.
Singh asserted that cleaning work was under way on a war footing. The drive, he said, is being run under the mayor’s leadership.
Besides, he pointed to a new entrant in the area. Tata Steel Utility Services has begun operations across the locality.
The company is clearing drains at a rapid pace, according to him. In such circumstances, he argued, an agitation over garbage and waterlogging was not justified.
On the other hand, Singh said the MLA’s objection itself raised doubts. Questions arise over the intent behind the movement, he said.
Roy represents the Jamshedpur East assembly constituency. He has repeatedly raised municipal issues in Jamshedpur in recent weeks.
In addition, he had earlier taken up the dues of sanitation workers. He had also sought action on pending projects in the area.
The Mango Municipal Corporation has been at the centre of that criticism. Sanitation and drainage have remained the recurring themes.
No official reaction has come from Roy so far. His side has not commented on Sunday’s charges.
Meanwhile, political activity has continued to build in the locality. Preparations for the Gandhi Maidan sit-in are in their final stage.
Utility work in the wider steel city has also drawn attention lately. Elected representatives have held review meetings with Tata Steel UISL on water, roads and sanitation.
