A day after joining as Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, Rajiv Gauba has disclosed that dealing with the Maoist menace in the State would be one of his priorities. Terming left Wing Extremism (lWE) a subject closer to him, the Chief Secretary said he would call a high-level review meeting comprising Home Secretary, DGP and senior police officials to take stock of the present situation in the State.
In his first informal interaction with the media on Wednesday, Gauba, who has been serving during most part of his career so far on Central deputation and has replaced Sajal Chakravorty at the top post, stressed on his expertise to deal with the menace. “I am aware of the situation and understand that Naxal problem is the basic issue in the State. I will review the matter in two-three days and interact with the top officials, including the Home Secretary, the DGP and others from the police department. Dealing with lWE would be my priority here,” said the CS.
Notably, the Jharkhand Police is continuing with ‘Operation Karo-II’ against the Maoists and other splinter groups active in various parts of the State which, as per indications, has yielded some good results. Gauba’s predecessor Sajal Chakravorty was also very particular about anti-Naxal operations and had set three months’ time for the outlawed to surrender or perish just before given the marching order.
Gauba, however, chose not to comment upon the un-ceremonial exit of the ex-Chief Secretary but mentioned that he has special and detailed study over the issue while working with the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Centre.
“I have studied the problem in details and know the changing dimensions of it.” When asked about reforms in the State and over all governance, the seasoned bureaucrat selected his words cautiously. “Reform is a continuing process. As far as governance is concerned the emphasis is on simplifying the process and cut down the complications for the people,” he said, adding that fiscal situation of Jharkhand currently was not different from the previous year as far as expenditure of budgetary provisions is concerned. At the same time he also made it clear that radical changes in the system were not expected and things would come into fore gradually.
Gauba also stressed on greater degree of communication between the Government and the people and underlined even the role of the social media into this. “Government at the Centre is also engaging the social media now-a-days for having prompt communication,” said the CS.