Allaying apprehensions of tribals, Chief Minister-designate Raghubar Das has said that his Government will soon review over 6,000 petty offences lodged against the tribals, which are keeping them in jail. He also revealed his special plan to ensure all-round development of the three tribal-dominated districts every year.
Das, in an exclusive interview, said that a large number of innocent tribals have been “unfairly” jailed in the State. “We had raised the issue earlier in the Assembly too. So, we will do something urgently to ensure justice to innocent and unfairly jailed adivasis,” Das, who has been appointed the first non-tribal chief minister breaking free from the calculus of tribal politics in its quest for stability and development, pointed out.
The CM-designate also revealed that he has a blueprint ready to fully develop 12 tribal-dominated districts in the State. “We will give special focus on three districts every year, covering all the 12 within next four years,” he added. Das said that he was inheriting a legacy of major problems in every field, be it law and order, health, education, and for that matter industrial growth. “The Jharkhand ‘namdhari’ parties (read JMM) exploited the sentiments of tribals and virtually destroyed them. They are forced to fetch drinking water, particularly in Santhal Pargana from drains. It is a big challenge as how to bring the tribals and other underprivileged sections of the society at par with their well off brethren,” he said.
Das pointed out that we have got the decisive mandate on the planks of development and stability. “Tribal-non-tribal CM was not an issue. Everybody wants development. People voted for Narendra Modi rising above caste, creed and religion. But regional parties indulged in vote bank politics. Now, it’s time to dump divisive politics and look for development,” he added.
The CM designate said that his government will be committed to provide corruption-free Government. “The anti-corruption wings like the Vigilance Bureau and lokayukta will be strengthened and given a free hand. We are going to open more special courts for speedy trial of the corruption cases,” he added. He also said that the SC order for transferring the IAS and IPS officials will be followed in letter and spirit.