Vikas Samiksha Yatra Scam

What Is the Vikas Samiksha Yatra Scam?

1. What Is the Yatra
   
   
   
   • Vikas Samiksha Yatra ("Development Review Tour") was launched by Nitish Kumar’s government on 12 December 2017.
   
   
   • The stated purpose was to review the implementation of development schemes across districts - to take a first-hand account of progress in rural development, welfare programs, infrastructure, etc.
   
   
   
   


2. Main Allegations
   
   
   
   • High Spending: Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD) alleged that about ₹ 10 crore was being spent per district for this yatra, using state funds.
   
   
   • Paid Participation of Women: According to Lalu, a Jeevika (state rural women livelihood mission) order showed that 4,000 women would be brought to each public meeting in the Yatra, and they'd be paid ₹ 75 each, plus conveyance.
   
   
   • Image-Building: Critics like Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) called the yatra a "jhansa yatra" (a misleading or deceptive tour), claiming it's more about building Nitish’s image and popularity than actually reviewing development.
   
   
   • Use of State Machinery: Lalu alleged that state machinery (district officials, security, public meeting arrangements) was being used for what is essentially a political exercise.
   
   
   • Political Flags: Lalu also said that at these yatra meetings, JD(U) flags were prominently displayed, suggesting partisan benefit from government spending.
   
   
   
   


3. Counterarguments / Defense
   
   
   
   • The JD(U) defended the yatra, saying that the allegations are politically motivated (“sheer frustration” of Lalu).
   
   
   • On the purpose side, Nitish’s argument (via his officials) was that the yatra isn’t a political rally but a review tour - to assess scheme implementation and fix gaps at the ground-level.
   
   
   • Regarding the 4,000 women, the payment could be justified as a kind of compensation or stipend for participating in an official program, but critics see it as misuse of state welfare funds.
   
   
   
   


4. Political Reactions
   
   
   
   • Lalu Prasad Yadav demanded a formal investigation into spending.
   
   
   • Tejashwi Yadav said that instead of real development, Nitish is touring to gauge his declining popularity, especially after changing political alliances.
   
   
   • Some incidents during the yatra: According to media reports, Nitish’s cavalcade was even pelted with stones.