Censuring political instability and rampant corruption in Jharkhand since its inception in 2000 for truncated growth scenario, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has expressed full confidence to resurrect things during the five-year tenure. The CM also pointed out areas where his Government had already started working and also those projects which are in the pipeline.
Speaking at State Development Summit organsied to discuss recommendations of the three-member Bibek Debroy Committee formed way back in 2011, the CM admitted that nothing substantial could be done on the part of implementation. “The recommendations made were for short and long-term measures for the development of the State which could not be implemented due to political instability and corruption. We will do it now. We have taken lots of steps in three months’ time. Now my confidence is very strong. We would become a developed State in five years,” said Raghubar Das on Wednesday.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda had formed the committee in the chairmanship of noted economist Bibek Debroy four years ago that had submitted its detailed report recommending several short, medium and long term measures need to be taken for the development of Jharkhand. Debroy, now a member of the Niti Aayog, country’s highest plan making body, was present on the occasion.
The CM went on saying that since the regime change, perception of officers, ministers and common people had also changed and a wind of optimism was blowing across the State. He, at the same time, also stressed on reforms which included restructuring of departments.
“We have too many departments. I have formed a committee headed by the Chief Secretary and would act according to its report so that fast action can be taken. We also want that lesser number of matters come before the Cabinet for its approval. By April end we would also constitute State Development Council comprising all Cabinet Ministers, all 14 MPs, PSUs and experts. It would meet in every three months and report as per the changing scenario,” said the CM and informed that Tribal Development Council was next in line for 12 scheduled areas of the State by end of this month.
Bashing the phased-out Planning Commission, the CM said that it had created an army of unemployed during successive 11 Five-Year Plans. “That is why here is Niti Aayog. As we have member of the Aayog present here I want to plead that States should be given freehand to make their own plans and schemes. We also need continued assistance under police modernisation and BRGF for underdeveloped Jharkhand.”
Minister Saryu Roy stressed for a relook on the recommendations made by the Debroy committee. “Are we in a position to implement the recommendations made as Bibek Debroy himself termed some of them irrelevant nowIJ Also in the lights of the Finance Commission’s recommendations we would be getting 42 per cent fund as untied fund from the Center thus we have to make schemes accordingly for the State,” said Roy. Cabinet Ministers Neera Yadav, Amar Bauri, louis Marandi, Randheer Singh and Ramchandra Chandravanshi were also present besides Secretaries of almost all departments.
Debroy reacting on the fate of his report expressed hope with the new Government at the helm would initiate some. “I do not see any of the committee’s recommendation getting implemented so far. But hope this Government would start acting on those. It has to fix priorities and find areas to work primarily,” he said.
Some of the Secretaries also presented their views and an action taken report was also laid out for various departments. Additional Principal Secretary Sudhir Prasad pointed out lethargy of coal companies in following the mines closure plan while Principal Secretary to the CM Sanjay Kumar talked about better governance to regulate things. Rural Development Secretary NN Sinha complained about poor telecom connectivity in rural areas which hamper delivery mechanism through panchayats.
DGP DK Pandey informed Bibek Debroy that 10 more core areas in the lines of Saranda, Saryu and Jhumra had been identified for focused development. On April 25, the CM would inaugurate 4th as Parasnath Development Plan where PDS services, health, irrigation, education etc would be strengthened,” said the DGP.