‘Next priority is to make Steel City an education hub’

Incumbent Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency candidate MP Bidyut Baran Mahato is hopeful of retaining the seat and believes that the opposition’s mahagathbandan does not pose any challenge. The 56-year-old MP tells TOI’s B Sridhar that JMM’s Champai Soren is no match for him as his connect with the voters and PM Narendra Modi government’s people-oriented schemes are all that is needed for his win. Excerpts:
Q: What do you consider as your achievements in the last five years?

A: The foundation laying of the ambitious Dhalbhumgarh airport is one of the achievements of my tenure. It took time and effort but with the support and cooperation of chief minister Raghubar Das and minister of state for civil aviation, Jayant Sinha, the project got off. If all goes well, the airport will become operational by the end of 2020. Besides resolving long-standing issues in local air connectivity, it will also boost investment potential in the area. Moreover, opening of closed mines in the Ghatshila sub-division is another significant achievement. Jadugora and Narwa uranium mines were closed for nearly four years while Chapri and Rakha mines (both copper mines) were closed for 14 years and 19 years. Kendadih copper mine was closed for 11 years. Together, they offer employment to 20,000 people. When people go to vote, all these will weigh heavy in their minds. Voters have realised the need for a strong PM to keep the momentum of India’s growth story and national security.

Q: What about MP LAD funds?

A: People elect MPs for doing development works and it should not surprise you that I have spent 90% of MP LAD funds on infrastructure development works such as road, drains, culverts in the rural areas.

Q: The opposition claims that under the NDA regime, jobs have shrunk. Your comments?

A: Government data suggests otherwise. In my own area, the SMEs in Adityapur industrial belt alone generated over four lakh jobs in the last five years. EPFO numbers also indicates an encouraging number of jobs that are created across the country in the last five years.

Q: The merger of government primary schools in the state is an issue the opposition is exploiting in this election. How do you plan to counter it?

A: The CM has already assured that there shall not be the merger of the schools. Soon directions will be issued in this regard. The whole idea was to provide quality education to students, and not just have schools without students.

Q: What will be your immediate plans if re-elected for a second term?

A: Our city is in an expansion mode and in the coming years, reputed institutes of engineering, medical and other professional courses will open here. I’m keen to develop the constituency as an education hub to cater to the needs of the local industries that would also see a growth. I want to mention that the first ever all-women university of the state has made its debut here.

Q: Any regrets?

A: Yes, I would have heaved a sigh of relief if the Ranchi-Tata NH-33 road widening project had finished on time. It is one of the lifelines of the state. Nevertheless, both the Centre and the state governments are pursuing it with utmost priority.