Allegations of corruption are swirling around Ranchi’s PDMC scheme, as reports indicate that 12 companies previously blacklisted for supplying sub-standard agricultural tools have received fresh work orders. Ajay Singh of the CPI has strongly condemned this development, accusing departmental officials of disregarding official reports and acting with impunity. Singh argued that such actions undermine Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s commitment to eradicating corruption in Jharkhand. He detailed how these companies were penalized in 2023 after a CIPET report classified their irrigation system components as non-standard, resulting in a five-year ban and financial restrictions. However, Singh asserts that the ban was inexplicably lifted within a week, enabling the companies to continue their operations and allegedly dominate 60% of the agricultural department’s current contracts. The CPI is demanding accountability for officials who allegedly facilitated this, and for the companies that have reportedly cheated farmers and damaged the government’s reputation.
