Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Monday laid foundation stone for providing free electricity connections in all census villages, habitations and households in East Singhbhum district under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana at Moubhandar.
Addressing, a gathering Pratibha Manch ground in copper township of Moubhandar in Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum, Das announced a slew of infrastructure development programmes. He also warned ‘misguided’ youths to either mainstream or face action.
“Our Government is focussed on a time-bound program to improve infrastructure both in rural and urban areas. Roads, electricity and water are our priority areas along with improving infrastructure in schools and we are working on these areas. We are confident to complete the projects as per our plans,” said Das
The Government plans to ensure road connectivity across village, blocks and districts in the state by December 2017, providing free electricity connections across villages and habitations by March 2018, a massive rainwater conservation measures with construction of one lakh mini-ponds, 2000 ponds using machines across state by June 15, 2016, provision of electricity connections at all State-owned schools by July 2016 and arrangements of bench and desk of branded companies at all State-owned schools by 2018.
He said: “We are paving way for better tomorrow with the laying of foundation stone of rural electrification project wherein by March 2018 all village will have electricity connection”.
Das added said “We are incurring a loss of `200 crore every month in transmission of electricity. This amount could have been spent on development of infrastructure.”
The Chief Minister informed that due to lack of forest clearance by Union forest ministry, the laying of foundation for the 4000 MW unit power plant of Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam limited (a joint venture company of National Thermal Power Corporation and Jharkhand Government) was delayed.
“An important meeting of Union forest ministry is scheduled on May 5 at Delhi and we are expecting the clearance soon and hopefully the power plant foundation stone laying would be held online by the Prime Minister in the first week of June during the foundation stone laying of bridge at Sahebganj over River Ganga,” said Das.
“We have also sanctioned all the recommendations given under Yojana Banao Abhiyan for construction of small ponds and ponds and also renovation of old ponds in April itself. By June 15, 2016 around one lakh mini ponds and 2000 ponds will be constructed across state and through MGNREGS 50,000 old ponds will be renovated so that monsoon water is conserved and we do not face water crisis in 2017,” said Das.
The Chief Minister also informed: “Directive has been issued to the State electricity board to provide connections to all schools in State by July 2016. This apart by 2018 all State-owned schools will have benches and desk of branded company.”
In the end, the CM also motivated youths to shun violence and join mainstream for better on tomorrow.