Keeping pace with the Centre and also putting development first, the Government has mooted a State Development Council (SDC) in Jharkhand. The forum tasked to suggest ways for comprehensive development of the State by utilising its resources in best possible manner would work in tandem with the erstwhile Planning Commission at the Centre which has been given a new shape with National Institute for Transforming India or ‘Niti Aayog’.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das unveiling about the forum said on January 1 that the SDC would constitute of all the 14 MP’s of the State, MlAs, senior administrative officials, specialists of concerned sectors, stakeholders and specialists of inclusive growth. It has been laid out that the Council would be entrusted with preparing plans keeping in view the local needs, social fabrics and various impacts and also to ensure optimum use of the available resources.
“We are seeing change taking place at national level as far as think tank for development in the country is concerned. Similar thing was needed here as well as there is no such forum where direction of development can be discussed in concerted manner with different stakeholders. The SDC can be one such mechanism in Jharkhand,” said a senior official of the Planning Department.
Apart from its advisory to be issued time to time on the issues relating to the socio-economic development of the State, the Council would also suggest ways and means for increasing capital investment in different economic activities. “It is not only important for fast pace of development in the State but also to stop over exploitation and illegal exploitation of natural resources available. If all this happens then only the issue of unemployment can be tackled in the State,” said a senior educationist in Ranchi University.
As per indications the Government would come up with a list of professionals with experience in developmental economics, planning and management, experts in industry and farm sectors who would be tasked primarily to suggest measures before it could be discussed at the summit level of the SDC. The forum would not confine itself to suggest ways and moot ideas for development but would also be responsible for monitoring their implementations.