While expressing worries over practice of alcoholism and its growing influence in rural areas, Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced greater encouragement for self-help groups working to tame it. The CM announced that a village becoming free of the menace due to the efforts of a SHG would be rewarded with Rs2 lakh instead of one given as of now.
Addressing a gathering of SHG and NGO representatives at Dumka, the CM also advocated for women participation in local governance. “I am here not to enjoy power but to bring in good governance and this would be done through people’s participation. Women should be promoted in politics. I announce here that a village electing woman as mukhiya unopposed would be rewarded with Rs 1 lakh,” said the CM on Monday. He is on three-day trip of Dumka that comes to an end on Monday.
He stressed that bureaucracy alone cannot bring the change in the society and people participation in administration was a must. “That is why I am going village to village to get a feel of the local problems at ground level. At this point I urge you not to hinder with the education of the girls by marrying them in tender age. Girls’ education is the most important thing in a progressive society,” said Das.
Speaking about employment in rural areas, the CM stressed on horticulture, animal husbandry along with farming. He said for that purpose 40 animal hostels would be opened in villages along with promotion of village and cottage industries.
Welfare Minister and local MlA louis Marandi said, on the occasion, that the Government wanted to solve the problem of the people by examining those at grass root level. “Our priority is to bring smile on the faces of those who have been at the lower strata of the society. We want to promote small industries at local level to generate employment in bulk,” said the Minister. She also appealed the SHGs and NGOs present to connect as closely as possible with common man to help them solving their problems.
Representatives of 105 SHGs and 45 NGOs, who took part in the interaction, informed the CM and the Minister about problem they face in executing welfare schemes. They also underlined growing role of middlemen in getting bank loans and other financial assistance from Government side.
Earlier, the CM met primitive Paharia people in Upparmurgathali village of Dumka block and interacted with them. On the occasion, the CM said that members of the primitive tribe would be given free education up to graduation and seventh passed Paharias would be recruited in police. Dedicated offices for the tribal community would be set up at Palamu and Dumka.