Jharkhand is about to witness the completion of 1000 days of unbroken rule by a Chief Minister. The milestone coincides with the fact that Mr. Raghubar Das heads the state’s first majority government that is gearing up to celebrate the occasion in a grand way. ‘Developing India Mirror’ caught up with Mr. Sanjay Kumar who is Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and also P.S. (Information and Public Relations). In an interview with Ranchi Chief of Bureau Binay Kumar and Senior Correspondent Abhishek Kumar, the visionary bureaucrat dwelt on the regime’s prime achievements and the way forward.
Q. How would you describe this unique journey?
A. It is indeed a milestone for the state. The Chief Minister’s tenure is one of political and administrative stability, development, hope and better law and order. The regime has accorded importance to employment generation so that denizens do not migrate and in order to create job opportunities investment is being attracted. A global investors’ summit was organised under the Momentum Jharkhand initiative in which 210 M.o.U. having potential of Rs. 3 lakh crore were inked and have the capacity to result in employment for 6 lakh people.
Q. Initiatives in the skill development sphere are being termed as a life-changer for the youth. How exactly?
A. The Government, which desires to engender jobs as per market needs, has an ambitious programme through the medium of which the expertise of 20 lakh youngsters would be enhanced in the next half a decade. Related agreements were signed with industrial heavyweights including Siemens and Hewlett-Packard (H.P) . A budgetary component of Rs. 700 crore has been earmarked. Jharkhand is among the states that boast an integrated single-window system for business so that industrialists do not have to approach separate offices to obtain certificates, clearances or approvals. We pioneered in establishing a single-window system for agriculture.
Q. Education and health have been labelled as key focus areas. Elaborate on the changes effected in these sectors.
A. These feature as the topmost linchpin domains for the regime. Basic infrastructure is being developed at schools in the form of providing bench and desk facilities along with electricity arrangements in government schools. Particular attention is being paid to higher learning and we are working to raise gross enrollment ratio in universities – which is at 13 % – above the national average. A college shall be set up in every constituency while private varsities are also being encouraged to launch their campuses here. Work has commenced for three medical colleges in Hazaribag, Palamu and Dumka and efforts are underway so that three more such institutions can come up in other districts. Apart from that; polytechnics, I.T.I. and engineering colleges are being opened.
Q. How has the Government of this predominantly-agrarian state been able to improve the condition of peasants?
A. Exertions are on to improve irrigation facilities. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’s execution helped remove insecurity among farmers. Coupled with that, dairy and food-processing industries are being accosted more importance. The regime decided that 50,000 B.P.L. families would have two cows each. We are about to become self-sufficient in fisheries and envisage sending fish to other states in the near future.
Q. Women are in special focus. What steps have been taken for empowerment and improvement in conditions?
A. The Tejaswini, Ujjwala and M.U.D.R.A. schemes turned out be a game-changer as far as emancipation is concerned. In another landmark decision, if property is purchased in a woman’s name and is worth up to Rs. 50 lakh then it would be registered at a token fee of Re. 1. Through the State Livelihood Promotion Society, S.H.G.s are being encouraged, which is adding economic strength to the lives of rural women. Moreover, the Government decided to distribute a lakh smartphones among women S.H.G.s.
Q. How has I.T. been able to help realise the dream of providing a transparent, answerable and corruption-free administration?
A. The Government believes that first of all there is a need to control graft and, without its eradication, development projects cannot be given shape. The Vigilance Bureau has been renamed A.C.B., new rules framed and bureau offices are being set up at divisional level. Laws at the district and secretariat levels have been simplified. For finer transparency, I.T. is being utilised and – under the Right to Services Act – in excess of 200 services are being provided.