CPIML Demands Special Bihar Assembly Session to Discuss Burning Issues
In a statement issued on October 1, CPI(ML) Bihar State Secretary Com. Kunal condemned the anti-people attitude and unwillingness of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to address pressing public concerns. He pointed out the workers and toiling masses of Bihar are facing several serious issues, but the government has completely failed to address them.
Bihar is currently grappling with severe floods, which have caused widespread devastation. The government should have proactively called for an all-party meeting to discuss relief efforts, compensation for crop damage, and a long-term solution to the flood crisis. However, there has been no indication of such a move from the administration.
Furthermore, despite the ongoing protests by Jeevika workers (workers of Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society) against the government's arbitrary decisions, the administration has failed to take any initiative to listen to their demands.
Comrade Kunal added that during the Mahagathbandhan government, there was an agreement to provide ASHA workers a minimum honorarium of Rs. 2,500, but the promise remains unfulfilled to date. The government is unwilling to engage in dialogue on this issue either.
Additionally, the land survey being conducted across the state by the government has turned into a campaign to displace the poor and bulldoze their lives. Recently, on 18 September, under the garb of such a land survey, criminal-feudal elements associated with land-mafia attacked and burned down a whole Mahadalit hamlet in Nawada. Kunal demanded that the land survey be halted until all related issues are resolved. He also called for immediate action to prevent incidents of violence and attacks.
The Massive Loot through Electricity Smart Meters
A major issue that is hitting the people hard is the widespread loot under the garb of smart electricity meters. People have been receiving exorbitant and unjustified bills after the government had forcefully implemented smart meters. Recently, CPI(ML) Member of Parliament from Arrah Comrade Sudama Prasad flagged the Smart meter loot case from Bhojpur’s Jagdishpur, where a person received a bill of whopping 34 lakhs. Explaining the case, Comrade Sudama Prasad said that in Jagdishpur's Ward No. 3, the smart meter was forcibly installed at the house of Mohammad Mustafa Panwari 18 months ago, despite his opposition. At the time of installation, all his previous electricity bills were cleared, but within two months, due to a steep rise in his bills, his electricity connection was disconnected. Despite this, his smart meter continued generating a daily charge of Rs. 9,527 and by September 14, 2024, his disconnected smart meter was showing a bill of Rs. 34,57,334. Sudama Prasad raised the matter of unjustified and fraudulent bill amount with electricity department officials and the District Magistrate of Bhojpur. The bill was corrected to Rs. 1,718 on September 26, 2024.
Comrade Kunal said, this specific case from Jagadishpur is just one such example of loot under the name of Smart meters. There are growing demands from various corners of the state for the government to halt the implementation of smart meters. However, the government has not taken cognisance of the matter till now.
Protest March to Raj Bhawan by CPIML MLAs
In light of these issues, CPI(ML) has demanded that the state government immediately call for an all-party meeting and a special session of the Bihar Assembly to address these critical concerns. In this regard, CPI(ML) Legislative Party Leader Mehboob Alam send multiple requests to meet the Chief Minister to discuss these matters, but received no response.
As a result, the CPI(ML) legislative party has decided to organise a protest march to Raj Bhavan on October 4, 2024. They plan to urge the Governor to pressure the state government to convene an all-party meeting and a special assembly session to address the burning issues facing the state.
