Chief Secretary Sajal Chakraverty has said that the things are drastically bad in Saranda which needs to be built from scratch. Chakraverty was on a two day visit of Saranda to take stock of the ongoing development plan in the area.
Interestingly the Jharkhand High Court had taken suo-moto cognizance on the basis of media reports revealing condition drinking water availability in Saranda and sought an explanation from the State Government and steps taken by in this regard.
“Things are drastically bad in Saranda and the CRPF boys are the only people who are doing well in the area, who actually understand the problems of the locals there and have won the hearts of the villagers living there,” said Chakraverty.
According to the Chief Secretary, there is a total lack of supervision and the civil administration seems to be totally absent in the area. “Water schemes are not at its place, children are malnourished and people of the area are deprived of the civil amenities as if they are not the citizen of India,” said
Chakraverty. He directed the Chaibasa DDC to look into the matter and make available drinking water to the people. Saranda Action Plan, a brainchild of Jairam Ramesh, which is in wayward situation, said the CS and lamented over the role played by the district administration which was the actual implementing agency on grounds. “Delivery system has to be geared up in Saranda,” added the CS.
“Condition of drinking water is really in a very bad shape. Projects have been built against the plan and what I felt that the PHED has gone out of control there,” he said.
Chakraverty, spotting a bridge built on drain in Jambai Buru, which actually was to be built on the river, directed the local administration to lodge an FIR against the concerned BDO and the contractor.
The Chief Secretary, during his visit to the area has ensured that the administration is serious about the condition of drinking water in the area and the problem will be sorted out soon by taking adequate administrative measures. He said it is important to prevent water of Karo and other subsidiary rivers of getting polluted.
Despite being funded under several welfare schemes, Sarnada, also a Maoists hot-bed is going through acute drinking water problem where most of its inhabitants are still dependent on rain water and have to travel to several kilometers to fetch water.
Chakraverty alleging the state government as well as the administration for the rise of the Naxal organisations in Jharkhand said that the officials citing the Naxal threat avoid going to the remote areas despite the fact that the Naxals do not have any track record of harming administrative officials.He said Digha is said to be a VIP village but after visiting the place, I found that no development work has taken place in the area. He also said that despite Naxal threat in the area, he will continue his work for the welfare of the people of the area.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner and other concerned officers of the area to take proper steps to ensure improved water supply in the area. The Chief Secretary also directed to run mini-water supply scheme and also get those hand pumps repaired which are lying unused in the area. Chakraverty also asked the DC and other concerned district officials to visit the area and try to understand the ground realities and find out solutions for them.