Patna: A delegation of JD(U), RJD, Congress and Independents supporting Nitish Kumar on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi seeking stay on implementation of policy decisions taken by Jitan Ram Manjhi government since February 7 till confidence vote.
The delegation urged the Governor to direct Manjhi to only look after routine work and not to take policy decisions.
Emerging from Raj Bhawan after submitting memorandum to Principal Secretary to Governor Brajesh Mehrotra, senior JD(U) leader Vijay Chaudhary told reporters that the decisions taken daily by Manjhi would have "serious adverse impact" on administrative and financial system of the state.
"A grave financial problem is looming large due to such policy decisions of Manjhi," Chaudhary said.
Besides Chaudhary, JD(U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh, RJD Legislature party leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Congress state president Ashok Choudhary, Independent MLA Dulal Chand Goswami and legislators of all these parties marched to Raj Bhawan to submit the memorandum.
Chaudhary who is JD(U) Legislature Party leader in the Assembly, said similar curb was imposed in Uttar Pradesh during Jagdambika Pal minority government.
In Jagdambika Pal case even the Supreme Court gave a ruling that only routine work should be carried by a government which does not have majority and not take any big policy decision.
"The Governor himself has referred to Jagdambika Pal government case in support of his decision to call for trust vote on inaugural day of session (February 20 in Bihar). So, implementation of vital decisions of Manjhi government shall be put on hold," Chaudhary said.
"Its surprising that Manjhi who does not have any written support of any party in the Assembly, is still sticking to the CM chair," Chaudhary said.
"The policy decisions taken by a minority government was not in accordance with constitutional and democratic tradition," he added.
February 7 onwards Manjhi government has taken many serious decisions like providing free power to farmers owning upto 5 acres of land, reservation in work to SC/ST contractors upto Rs 70 lakh, lowering attendance of school students from 75 per cent to 60 per cent for general category and 55 per cent for SC/ST in different welfare programmes like cycle and uniform.
Manjhi government has also announced pension scheme for mediapersons and okayed a proposal to construct press club building in 36 districts.
While 23 agendas were given green signal during cabinet meet on February 10, eight agendas were okayed today during special cabinet meet.
JD(U) Legislator and state party spokesman Niraj Kumar has filed a PIL in Patna High Court against such vital decisions by the Manjhi government. The date of hearing has yet not come.
