Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday attributed "administrative failure" as the major cause behind Naxalism and assured to provide development-oriented schemes and good governance in the State.
Addressing his maiden Press conference in his home town after becoming the Chief Minister, Das noted: “I don’t think Naxalism is a major issue in Jharkhand. I am not hesitant to say that administrative failure led to rise in Naxal activities. If poor villagers were deprived of basic amenities including water, road, electricity etc they are ought to move away from the mainstream.”
“It is really shocking that even after six decades of independence people in villages are deprived of basic amenities like road, electricity and water”, he said, adding that these are the reasons for increase in Naxal activities. "Who are the naxalsIJ They are part of our society, they too need employment and basic amenities like others. They were misguided youths who were lured to pick up arms for survival," he said.
The first non-tribal chief minister also assured the tribal bogey that the government was not going to amend Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act. “His Government will not take any step that will go against the interest of tribals of State,” he reiterated. “let me make it clear that we are not going to amend CNT and SPT Acts. All round development and growth of the State is our only priority and we will focus on it,” said the Chief Minister.
Answering a query, the Chief Minister sounded confident and said that the government is equally keen to see the industry and agriculture develop with a similar speed. “The government can never neglect agriculture growth and will work for its development,” he added. “I have started reviewing the issues concerning various departments to pave way for development. We want to develop Adityapur Industrial Area as manufacturing hub of the State. Steps would also be taken to set up land Bank to meet the land crunch,” said Das.
He also said that government has decided to set up Jharkhand Development Council comprising MPs and MlAs to suggest ways and means for all round development of the state. "The council will prepare plans keeping in view available resources and their better utilisation and promote industries,” the Chief Minister said. He added that the Government will also develop Jharkhand as IT hub.
Das said the government would work efficiently in bringing speedy development, providing basic amenities and improving policing. He also said that ensuring corruption free governance will be his foremost priority. He also emphasised that his government would be accountable and ensure rapid development by utilising the abundance of natural resources.
Ensuring more employment opportunities in the State, he announced that the teachers' recruitment process will begin in next two months and 17,000 policemen will be appointed in a couple of months. The process has already begun in this regard, he said. He also said the government will go ‘door to door’ to address issues plaguing Jharkhand. It has been decided to hold next cabinet meeting in Dumka and then in Chaibasa (West Singhbhum).