Ranchi: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has vowed to fight for the rights of the 1.5 crore investors from the state whose money is locked in the Sahara group, accusing the central government of neglecting the issue. Speaking at a press conference, JMM’s central general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey demanded an immediate return of the investments and questioned why the central government, under the leadership of Union Minister Amit Shah, has failed to ensure payment to the investors.
Pandey targeted the Union Ministry of Cooperation, led by Amit Shah, for being responsible for the ongoing crisis faced by the investors. He alleged that the Sahara group, through its multi-state cooperative society, had carried out a massive financial scam, and despite the government’s awareness, the funds have not been returned to the investors. “Amit Shah, as the cooperation minister, is responsible for the plight of 1.5 crore investors in Jharkhand. Why is their money still not being returned?” Pandey questioned.
He also criticised Amit Shah for making promises during his visit to Jharkhand that if the BJP government is formed, the investors would get their money back. “What kind of deal is this? Is it only when the BJP forms the government in Jharkhand that the money will be returned? This is entirely a matter for the central government. Why is the payment being delayed?” he added.
Pandey further alleged that the central government had ignored the investors’ plight, despite a Supreme Court order that led to the sale of Sahara’s assets to recover Rs 25,000 crore. “Despite the sale of Sahara’s assets, why has Amit Shah not ensured that this amount is distributed among the investors?” he asked.
Pandey reaffirmed that JMM would not back down from its commitment to fight for the investors, even though the state government does not have jurisdiction over this issue. “We are ready to take on the central government at every level and fight for the rights of Jharkhand’s investors. The state may not be directly involved, but we will ensure that the central government is held accountable,” he said.
He recalled a statement by Amit Shah on July 19, 2023, in which the Union Minister promised that the investors’ money would be returned within three to four months. A web portal was set up to accept applications from investors, but according to Pandey, 90% of the applications had been approved without any progress in the actual payments. “This is tragic. While the Sahara family members are enjoying their wealth abroad, thousands of investors are suffering, with many having taken extreme steps, including suicide. The central government has done nothing to address their distress,” Pandey remarked.