Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said that the State Government was keen to bring back the youths, who have adopted wrong track for some reasons, into the mainstream and very soon going to bring a new surrender policy.
"I am quite confident that it will help in bringing back our brothers and sisters from forests to the society in large numbers," the Chief Minister said while inaugurating the first open jail of the State in the premises of JP Central Jail Hazaribagh. Hemant was here to participate in a Vikas mela and interact with the village leaders at a function as part of the Statehood fortnight celebrations.
He arrived here at about 12 noon and immediately went in a huddle with the senior officers of all the seven districts of North Chotanagpur division, besides ministers Rajendra Singh, Annapurna Devi, Mannan Mallik, Yogendra Sao and JP Patel at the Circuit House and took stock of the ongoing developmental works.
He, thereafter, visited the open jail premises where he first took a close look of the facilities and infrastructure then inaugurated it.
He talked with the chosen inmates of this open jail and wished them all the best for a new beginning in their life. He announced a help of rupees three thousand per month to every inmate till they become well trained and skilled enough to earn livelihood.
The 'open jail' is an initiative by the Government to accommodate jail inmates with good track records, and give them a chance to identify themselves with the mainstream.
To give it a human touch, it has been renamed as Open jail-cum-Rehabilitation Centre. According to the guidelines of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), it is mandatory for every state to establish an open jail. This will be the first ever jail of its kind for both the states of Jharkhand and Bihar.
In another function at Hazaribagh stadium, the Chief Minister announced to give Rs 10 lakhs to each panchayat during this fiscal year and Mukhiyas will be responsible for the proper utilisation of this amount. They will have to select the work after consulting the other village local body members and the contractor should be of the panchayat.
The village local body members of North-Chotanagpur division participated in the workshop meant to discuss their rights and duties.
Hemant said that the government was committed to develop the villages because without the development of villages neither towns nor the State could develop. Consoling the para-teachers who were regularly raising their voice during the inauguration and foundation laying ceremony, the CM hinted that their demands can be fulfilled within the ongoing statehood fortnight.
Regarding problems raised by the ministers and MlAs during the programme, the CM said that origin of problem and its solution is a continuous process. "So don't become so excited. His government is keen to step ahead on the path of development and there is no need and time to look back," he maintained.
Ironically, the village local body members, who were in the stadium since 12 noon, became restive many times due to mismanagement and maltreatment.
They stood up finally when CM was addressing and started shouting that they did not want a 'lollipop' of Rs. 10 lakh. "Rather they want their rights, honorarium etc. So please say clear cut on these issues," they said. It disturbed the function and CM concluded his speech in minutes and left the dais.
In the development fair the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of 2,313 schemes and inaugurated 142 schemes of about Rs 200 crore. In his absence, ministers Yogendra Sao, JP Bhai Patel, MlA Saurav Narayan Singh distributed KCCs, agricultural tools, benefits of different government schemes etc. of worth Rs 300 crores.They also felicitated the students of government schools and some village local body representatives for their good performances.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Surendra Singh welcomed the guests. Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar were also present on the occasion.