Arjun Munda: ‘(On Hemant Soren issue) no one will support corruption, and more evidence is coming after seizure of crores’

Excerpts:

* One year has passed since eruption of violence in Manipur, but many tribals complain that the Union tribal minister hasn’t said anything about it.

This is not the context of this interview. We will talk about it later.

* As the agriculture minister, is there any proposal to give a legal guarantee to MSP for crops, or anything being done to ensure assured income to farmers since many of them are turning into labourers with the climate change exacerbating the crisis?

The basic thing is that by MSP the farmers will get a minimum income for their produce in an open market. However, it is not that all produce will be procured by the government. So the government has given MSP for major crops. We have formed a committee for a long-term solution and their suggestions will focus on the issue of increasing produce in India and reducing the dependency on pesticides and chemical fertilisers. Unlike the last government, we are not working to do any favour to farmers but on how do we raise the potential of farmers and the farming community. Regarding giving MSP a legal guarantee, there is an expert committee which will look into it.

* Tribals generally suffer from malnutrition and anaemia. And in Jharkhand, too, there has hardly been any improvement on these indicators?

We have started to analyse the root cause of anaemia in the tribal areas of the country. Is there any food supplement deficit or is it genetic? We have started the tests for seven crore people from tribal communities to find sickle cell carriers and the disease, and we have the results of one crore people.

In Khunti, we had conducted mass testing of more than 60,000 people where 80% were found to be anaemic.

Funds have been allocated to all governments with direction that all districts start health camps. We are conducting research through the CRISPR system and Rs 61 crore has been given to ICMR for research to find a solution such as how to rectify the diseased cells and regenerate. The next phase is how to manage data: for example, I am a carrier of sickle cell, and a carrier is more towards the anaemic side, but if both the parents are carriers then the offspring will be diseased with sickle cell anaemia. Both will have different medications. The medicine Hydroxyurea–for treating sickle cell anaemia patients—is now available in India at a much cheaper price, introduced during my tenure.

* There seems to be tribal sentiments in the state, even in your constituency, against the jailing of JMM leader and ex-CM Hemant Soren. Will this go against you or the BJP in this election?

I don’t think anyone will support corruption, and now more evidence is coming after the seizure of crores in cash from the rented house of a minister’s PA. The PA does what the minister wants. So, the corruption issue is now public and people see how it has spread its tentacles like an octopus.

* As compared to other BJP leaders such as state BJP chief Babulal Marandi, you seem to be less critical of Hemant Soren on social media.

Personal criticism is not my nature and I use positive energies around me. When I was in opposition to Babulal Marandi, I never used to comment on him either. Personal politics does not have any place (for me), and I deal with ideology. The country’s agenda should be around policies.

* As an MP, what has been your report card for Khunti?

I have worked to regain respect and glory of Khunti – a place which is of historical significance – and worked towards its development. We are trying to make eco villages in Khunti, because people in ancient times lived in eco villages. People have moved to cities and they think they are civilised, but the reality is otherwise. People living in the villages strengthen the environment and that is why I have selected 254 villages in my constituency for their development. This is a national project, and the Jharkhand state has been given funds but the work is too slow, the funds have reached the districts but the implementation is very slow.

* In your constituency, the Mahato community’s vote plays a key role and there has been a demand by Kudmi Mahatos to give them Schedule Tribe (ST) status. Is there any plan to do so?

Kudmi communities have played an important role in the state, and they have shown patriotism during the Lok Sabha elections… The demand is there, but I don’t see it from the political lens. We need to see what lies at the root of the demand. However, the implementation is not just the function of one institution. The state government plays a very important role in preparing a report on this issue with facts. Only after this, other institutions will deliberate. It is a constitutional issue and we don’t want to rush for the sake of formality.

* The Pathalgadi movement had earlier affected voter turnout in several booths of Khunti constituency? This time those engaged in it may come out and vote. Do you expect them to vote for the BJP or you?

The Pathalgadi was such a movement where a simple society was encouraged towards a wrong direction, and today many people are realising the same. This country is for all of us, and we should contribute to it. I hope that people (who were part of the movement) will vote for the benefit of the nation. The way Narendra Modi has worked on giving facilities to the people, my area has been benefited too.

* Earlier, booth relocation used to happen in various parts of Jharkhand, including Khunti, due to Left Wing Extremism (LWF) and lack of infrastructure. This election it has been reduced by 50%. However, basics like clean drinking water, pucca roads, electricity are still a dream for many households. Locals also complain about your visibility?

If we talk about statistics, then as an MP I have 1700 days to visit a total of 5000 revenue villages and their colonies. As an MP we visit villages, but we cannot visit all… The lack of facilities is because the state institutions are not working. The Central government deals with policies and resources, but the implementation has to be done by the state, which is lacking.

* The lack of implementation had remained a challenge during the BJP government during 2014-19 as well?

Aren’t you able to see how the institutions are working under this (JMM-led) government in the households of a minister’s PA (ED raids on premises of a house help of minister Alamgir Alam’s PA). The institutions have been made corrupt.

* You are facing Kalicharan Munda, the brother of BJP’s Khunti MLA Neelkanth Singh Munda. Kalicharan is said to be getting some logistical support from his brother. Your comments?

There are six candidates against me, why only name one. Regarding the logistical support, I have no information. Neelkanth Singh Munda is a loyal BJP worker and he is working hard in this election for the BJP.