The Government has mooted an idea to make available potable drinking water to masses by utilising the coffers available in the form of District Mining Fund. Chief Minister Raghubar Das said this during a pre-budget consultation held in Chaibasa on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, the CM underlined the priority of his Government that includes poverty alleviation. “It is not acceptable to us that large number of people remain poor for long. I am here for wider consultation for the developmental programmes since only bureaucracy cannot deal with that alone. People’s participation is all important which was lacking so far,” said the Chief Minister.
He said that suggestions coming from the people would be incorporated in the next year’s budget which is going to be presented before January 26, 2017. “Kolhan region has been neglected since the State was created. leaders and officials became rich out of the minerals exploited from here and left behind polluted water for the people. But we are working in direction of providing piped drinking water to the people within two years’ time and fund carved of mining royalty would be utilised,” added the CM.
Stressing on education sector, the CM said all the divisions would get schools similar to Netarhat School and foundation for four more medical colleges in the State would be laid in near future. “We are also working on skill development and employment under which a shoe making factory would be set up in February, 2017. Urban Haats are coming up in every district for promoting cottage industries,” said he, promising three-year diploma course for nursing and opening such an institute in Chaibasa.
Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma, on the occasion, said that all the districts would get skill development centres while Sahki Mandals would be roped in for generating self-employment.
She also stressed over working for multi-cropping in the region which is largely infertile. Development Commissioner Amit Khare said that DPR for setting up a medical college at Chaibasa is ready. Besides the officials, host of local MlAs such as laxman Tudu, Geeta Koda, Menaka Sardar were also present on the occasion.