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Ranchi : In a move amplifying the ongoing confrontation between the Jharkhand government and the Centre, the state has issued directives to all departments, instructing them not to respond directly to queries from central agencies or hand over documents independently. This development coincides with Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s repeated summons by the Enforcement Directorate, creating a tense backdrop.
The Jharkhand government’s communication, framed as streamlining processes, explicitly directs departments to refrain from answering central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the Income Tax department directly. Instead, officials are instructed to report all queries to the Cabinet Secretariat or the Vigilance Department for proper processing.
While the state government asserts its objective is to prevent the dissemination of incomplete information, experts view this as a form of non-cooperation with central agencies. The move is seen as a strategic response to recent actions by central agencies, with concerns raised about the potential misuse of such entities in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
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The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, a key player in the state’s coalition government with the Congress, is part of the INDIA alliance at the Centre. This move adds another layer to the political dynamics, with echoes of criticism from alliance members, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of misusing central agencies.
A confidential letter from Principal Secretary Vandana Dadel to all departments outlines the revised SOP. Officials are now required to inform their immediate heads upon receiving notices from agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, or the IT Department. The information will then be channeled to the nodal agency, the Department of Cabinet Secretariat and Vigilance, which will coordinate legal advice before sharing information with the central agencies.
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged corruption and illegal changes in land ownership. The summons, which Soren has reportedly skipped seven times, adds to the escalating tensions between the state and central authorities. The ED has also issued summonses to Soren’s press adviser and Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner in a case related to alleged illegal mining in the state.
