Bribe to Build a Home? Are Hemant Soren's Promises Just for Show? The Truth About JMM's 'Abua Awas Yojana'

The 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections are underway, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), once again focusing on tribal rights and welfare as its primary agenda.

However, the question remains whether the party, which claims to be the strong voice of tribal communities, has genuinely brought about any significant change in their lives during its tenure.

Key promises and schemes announced by the Hemant Soren government, including the 'Abua Awas Yojana' (Our Housing Scheme), land rights, education, healthcare, and employment, are under scrutiny. Has the tribal community benefited from these initiatives? The BJP has raised questions about the Abua Awas Yojana in particular, accusing the JMM government of corruption and inefficiency.

BJP Criticism of Abua Awas Yojana

BJP's co-in-charge for Jharkhand, Himanta Biswa Sarma, criticised the scheme, stating, The Jharkhand government's Abua Awas Yojana has turned into a Babu Awas Yojana. Without bribes, no one can get a house.

Objective and Reality of the Abua Awas Yojana

The Abua Awas Yojana, launched on August 15, 2023, promised to provide more than 2.5 million residents of Jharkhand with permanent housing under the scheme. Beneficiaries were assured a three-room house for ₹2 lakh, aimed primarily at ensuring safe, affordable housing for tribal communities. However, on the ground, the reality appears grim. Reports indicate that tribal beneficiaries often face hurdles, including being forced to pay bribes to avail of the scheme's benefits.

While government data claims that thousands of tribal families have received housing under the scheme, transparency is lacking. The official website does not provide clear statistics on completed houses.

The government has stated its commitment to providing housing for all homeless and vulnerable families by 2026. Yet, questions remain about how many homes have been built so far.

Corruption and Allegations of Mismanagement

Corruption has emerged as a major barrier in the implementation of the Abua Awas Yojana. Many tribal families have reported having to pay bribes to local officials, contractors, and village leaders to get their housing funds sanctioned or to expedite construction. Without these payments, progress is stalled, leaving the beneficiaries in the lurch.

Ground reports reveal widespread dissatisfaction among tribal families, who say they are entangled in lengthy bureaucratic processes and forced to pay bribes at every stage. Despite claims of swiftness and efficiency by the government, the scheme's impact remains minimal, with corruption and administrative inefficiency undermining its goals.

Administrative Negligence and Violation of Rights

The Abua Awas Yojana is also marred by allegations of administrative negligence. Transparency is almost non-existent, and beneficiaries often complain of a lack of information regarding the scheme. Many are forced to endure prolonged delays due to excessive documentation and red tape. This not only violates their rights but also reflects poorly on the government's ability to uphold its commitments.

Are Tribal Communities Truly Empowered Under Hemant Soren's Government?

Hemant Soren's government has frequently announced initiatives for tribal welfare. However, the delivery on these promises has fallen short. Tribal communities, instead of benefiting, are often forced into situations where they must pay bribes to access their rightful entitlements. This has led to widespread disillusionment and resentment among the tribal population.

The Abua Awas Yojana is not the only scheme under scrutiny; other initiatives, including land acquisition policies and employment schemes, have also faced criticism. Many tribal families feel that instead of addressing their grievances, the government has added to their struggles.

Growing Discontent Among Tribal Communities

Discontent among tribal communities has increased under the Hemant Soren government, with unmet demands and unfulfilled promises leading to protests and demonstrations. Many feel that the government has failed to uphold their rights and is exploiting their issues for political gain.

Political Impact on Jharkhand Elections

As the Jharkhand elections progress, these unresolved issues will play a significant role in determining the fate of JMM. Will tribal communities continue to trust JMM as their voice, or will they view it as another political tool that failed to deliver? The election results will be a critical measure of the party's success in addressing tribal concerns and fulfilling its promises.