Chief Minister Raghubar Das stressing on consistence growth continuing in the State claimed that the dispensation under him had been without any blot of corruption so far. He, at the same time, also sought support from one and all, including masses of the State in the journey.
Addressing media persons after his Budget speech on Tuesday, the CM said the annual estimate for the financial year 2018-19 was a reflection of improving economic health of the State. “We have been able to fulfill promises made to the people despite various odds. Ours has been a stainless Government in these three years. The Budget is reflecting improving economic condition of the State. It is aimed at a new Jharkhand which is a prerequisite of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call of new India,” said the CM.
He went on highlighting areas described mainly in the Budget focusing on SC, ST, women and other deprived sections. “The section has been denied of its rights since Independence. We believe that new Jharkhand cannot be built by neglecting this section and that is why we have kept 52 per cent of the Budget outlay for them this year,” added the CM who in the House began his speech with the contributions of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary.
The CM, at the same time, called for the contribution from common people in making the schemes success. “People’s participation in making the schemes successful is important. We have formed tribal development committees in every village where the fund would go directly so that the villages can chalk out plans as per their need. We also want to raise income of the people which can be done through skilling women and youths in large number,” stressed the CM. On being questioned over slow expenditure of the funds meant for developmental schemes, the CM expressed hope that the picture would improve in the next three months. “We would be able to achieve our target and at least 90 per cent of the Budget allocated this fiscal would be spent in the next three months,” said he admitting that the decisions taking control over liquor shops and exemption of stamp and registry duty for women had hit the State financially. The CM also set a target to eradicate poverty from the State by 2022. “I think we need 4-5 more years to make Jharkhand a developed State. Anyone putting aspersion over that should know about our intent and ambition first,” said he. He also presented an Action Taken Report that suggests that out of 142 announcements made by him on the last occasion, 121 have been completed and the rest 21 are at different stages.