CM seeks FC attention to ‘poor' Jharkhand

Stressing over the need of more resources for underdeveloped States like Jharkhand, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has urged the 15th Finance Commission to pay proper attention to it.

The CM during his meeting with the touring Commission members headed by its Chairman NK Singh on Thursday said that pulling the lagging States up was equally essential for a developed India. “The Finance Commission should focus more on underdeveloped States such as Jharkhand. Only if such States are developed the country can develop which is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said the CM.

Talking about the strengths of the State Raghubar Das underlined scope in tourism sector, which besides being different from mining sector can produce more number of jobs.

“We have world class tourist spots in the State that can generate good number of jobs. This would also bring in foreign currency. At the same time we have certain challenges like 19 out of 24 districts are into aspirational district bracket. We are building new capital along with High Court building, Assembly and many others. The State needs substantial amount of fund for all that,” said the CM. Sources present said that more than Rs one lakh crore in the next five years has been sought from the Finance Commission.

The CM at the same time outlined 14 years of instability in the State for its shaky development record. “Tribal and poor people of the State have put in their lives for a separate State but their dream could not be fulfilled due to prolonged political instability at the top. There is no dearth of natural resources which is now put in together for ensure speedy growth. We need to do lot more to pull people out of deprivation and for that more fund is required,” explained the CM.

He on the occasion also outlined some of the performances under his regime like taking power to all the villages of the State which is now being taken to every household by 2018. The CM also talked about the seven flagship schemes of the Center under which 6512 villages under gram swaraj are being benefited. 

“Farm sector has more jobs but due to lack of irrigation facility we are unable to perform well. Similarly we have worries on the front of mining where large numbers of people are compelled to drink polluted water and catch diseases of different kind. We are utilising DMF to provide piped drinking water to them,” said the CM.

Earlier the team of the Commission was shown detailed presentation from different Departments which placed their specific track records along with demands. Besides the CM, his Cabinet colleagues Ramchandra Chandravansi, Neera Yadav, Saryu Roy, Raj Paliwar, Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Development Commissioner DK Tiwari, Additional CS Sukhdeo Singh, members of the Commission Shaktikant Das, Ramesh Chandra, Anup Singh, Ashok Lahiri and heads of all the Departments with the State Government were present in the meeting.