The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly’s special session, held to mark 25 years of statehood, witnessed intense political drama as Congress leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition Bhuwan Chandra Kapri accused the ruling government of widespread corruption. Kapri alleged that a 15 per cent commission is being charged on MLA fund allocations, sparking a heated debate that briefly disrupted the House proceedings.
Our correspondent reports that Kapri made the remarks during a discussion on governance and transparency, asserting that corruption has only deepened over the years despite repeated promises of reform. “Transparency has become a slogan, not a practice,” Kapri declared in the House. “Across departments, from development projects to constituency funds, a commission system has taken root. At least fifteen per cent of the sanctioned amount never reaches the ground.”
His allegations triggered uproar among the treasury benches. Several members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stood up in protest, demanding that Kapri either produce evidence or withdraw his statement. The Speaker intervened to restore order, allowing the opposition leader to continue.
Our correspondent adds that Kapri claimed many elected representatives across parties face difficulties in executing local works without agreeing to pay a cut. He argued that such corruption discourages honest officials and undermines public trust. “How can we talk about a developed Uttarakhand if even MLA funds are trapped in a commission network?” he questioned.
In response, members of the ruling party strongly refuted the charges. Cabinet ministers maintained that the government follows strict audit procedures and has zero tolerance toward corruption. “If anyone has proof, they should submit it formally. Unverified statements malign the system and demoralise honest officers,” one minister said during the discussion.
The exchange led to a brief adjournment as tempers flared. When proceedings resumed, BJP legislators highlighted the state’s progress under the current government, pointing to achievements in investment, infrastructure, employment, and public welfare. They emphasised that Uttarakhand has topped several national indices, including the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals rankings.
Our correspondent adds that opposition leaders used the opportunity to broaden the discussion to issues such as alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, land use violations, and tender-related corruption. They accused the government of selective accountability and failing to act against officers facing serious allegations.
Political observers believe that the controversy marks an early glimpse into the narrative for the next Assembly election. The opposition is expected to sharpen its attack by linking the corruption issue to economic distress and unemployment, while the ruling side is likely to project the allegations as politically motivated attempts to distract from developmental success.
The special session, convened to celebrate 25 years of Uttarakhand’s formation, was originally intended to reflect on the state’s progress since 2000. However, the debate over corruption overshadowed much of the proceedings. The government presented its report on achievements in tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, while the opposition focused on lapses in governance and transparency.
Our correspondent adds that the Speaker later clarified that all members have the right to raise concerns but must avoid general accusations without substantiation. The matter of MLA fund utilisation is likely to be referred to the Public Accounts Committee for review.
The session concluded with the ruling and opposition parties exchanging sharp words but agreeing on one point — that the next phase of Uttarakhand’s journey must be guided by accountability and clean governance. As the state celebrates its Silver Jubilee, the demand for integrity in public spending has once again come to the forefront.
