Speaking at a State-level Workshop on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Multidimensional Poverty Index by Niti Ayog Chief Minister Hemant Soren today said that NIti Ayog should help in strengthening the rural economy of the State making development plans as per the need of a particular region.
“Before making an action plan for any State, it is necessary to understand the state of mind of the people residing in that State. It would not be appropriate to apply the same formula across the country. It can also be progressed through its civilization and culture. There are more than 40 per cent of malnourished children in Jharkhand, more than 30 per cent are living below the poverty line. According to the data, 10 lakh workers of Jharkhand go to other states to work, in many districts the agricultural land has been exhausted. And 80 per cent of the people are dependent on agriculture. In such a situation, how do we give them a way to move forward? There is a need to make an action plan on this,” he said.
The CM said that proceeding on issues like education, health, pure drinking water, increasing people's income, gender equality is challenging. In the past, the focus was only on mining and minerals and the Dalits, deprived and tribals of the State were left with many questions. Plans and budgets are made but the reality is different. Resources with the government are limited. Talking about sustainable development, at present there is a need to strengthen the root and not the twigs and leaves. It needs to be considered as to how we can increase the purchasing power of the villagers, he added.
The CM said that the State Government cannot do development work in the field of Coal India. People of mining affected area are compelled to drink red water. Children are born with disabilities in uranium mines. Is this a blessing or a curse? If all these are properly managed then this State cannot be stopped from progressing.
The CM said that Jharkhand has the lowest remuneration under MGNREGA, due to which the villagers do not like to work under MGNREGA and move to the cities. The price of forest produce is fixed by the Central government, which is very little. Tribals have been living in the forest for centuries. Forest is also their means of livelihood. In such a situation, if the tribals are found with forest produce, then the police take action against them under the law made regarding forests, due to which they are getting troubled.
Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh, Development Commissioner Arun Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajiv Arun Ekka, Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Kumar Choubey, NITI Aayog Advisor Samyukta Samana and others were present in the workshop.