President Ram Nath Kovind lauded the journey of now ‘adolescent’ Jharkhand born 17 years ago in 2000.
The President during his maiden visit to the State after assuming the highest constitutional post of the country also launched schemes and
projects covering vulnerable sections in the areas of health, housing, social security, infrastructure development and employment generation.
The seven schemes worth Rs 3455.89 crore include Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme worth Rs 636 crore, ambulance service costing Rs 290 crore, Rs 1500 crore Johar scheme and four urban infrastructural projects of smart roads and flyovers for capital Ranchi.
The President also handed over tabs to manki, munda and gram pradhans, appointment letters to newly appointed professional, gas connections under Ujjwala scheme, soil health cards to farmers, cows to women, Mudra loans, dwelling under PMAY and unveiled customised postal stamp based on terracotta made Maluti temples. In his address on the occasion, the President pointed out that Jharkhand has become a developed State.
“I am extremely happy that Jharkhand has started performing as per its potential which lies in the form of country’s 40 per cent mineral wealth, forest cover along with rich heritage and culture based at Deoghar, Basukinath, Parasnath and Maluti temples. The State has clocked second highest growth rate in the country and has also shown commendable improvement in the ‘ease of doing’ business ratings. Now, results have started coming and even happier is to know that contribution from women, marginalised and deprived sections is also there,” said the President on Wednesday in the gala event organised at picturesque Morhabadi.
The President also praised the State Government for its works done in the field of recognising villages belonging to freedom fighters and martyrs hailing from Jharkhand.
“It is my privilege that I got an opportunity today to garland the statue of great persons, like Birsa Munda who laid down his life at the age of 25 fighting for equality and social justice. It is heartening to know that the Government is running a scheme for developing native villages of great personalities of the likes of Albert Ekka, Jaipal Singh Munda and several others,” added Kovind.
He also highlighted the potentials in sports, tourism, culture besides, industry while naming cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni, archer Deepika Kumari and others as shining examples. The President underlined in particular some of the steps taken by the State Government in the field of gender equality such as provision of property registry at token cost, inclusion of nearly five lakh women through Sakhi Mandals and over eight lakh gas connections given under the Ujjwala scheme.
Also present on the occasion was Governor Droupadi Murmu who mentioned steps taken in the field of poverty alleviation, removing corruption and making digital workspace.
“The State has registered a strong presence in the field of education, health, women empowerment, agriculture and infrastructure, eliminating corruption and digitalisation. Another feature is added today with Johar Scheme which promises doubling income of over two lakh families through employment generation,” said the Governor.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das stressed that the State entering into its 18th year has been put on the track of growth.
“Jharkhand is heading on the path of growth. Now, even the Opposition cannot charge the Government for corruption. The situation is completely adverse of the earlier one when the State was known for scams. The image has changed since we came into power,” said the CM.
Besides all the Cabinet Ministers in the State Government, two MoS in the form of Sudarshan Bhagat and Jayant Sinha, judges of the Jharkhand High Court, MPs and MlAs and top officials were present on the occasion.