Jamshedpur: Jharkhand Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma here on Saturday said that the development of extremism-hit villages of the state depended on the willpower of the people living there.
She said the picture and fate of these villages and its people could change for the better only if they summon their courage to fight all odds.
Verma was speaking at the Vikas Mela organized at Guda Picket of the extremism-hit Gudabandha block in East Singhbhum as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, she said the courage shown by the people of Gudabandha was exemplary.
She said the local villagers had closely seen and faced Naxalites and given them a tough fight. �The bravery of Gudabandha villagers is a source of inspiration for the entire state. Police personnel deployed here have also given their best in ending the menace of Naxalism here. Development will change the face of this region forever,� she said.
The CS distributed loans among the beneficiaries after inaugurating the Vikas Mela. She said the rays of development will reach every household under the able leadership of Chief Minister Raghubar Das. She said the villagers needed to unite and be determined to make the dream of development of the state�s leaders, martyrs and visionaries come true. She appealed to one and all to come forth and play their role in the development of the state.
�The government officials are a medium of taking the development schemes to the villages and households. Everyone should join this journey and do their bit by reaching out to the government and voicing their concerns and demands at the right platform at the right time,� said Verma.
Verma underlined the need for empowering the Gram Sabhas and termed them as the first link of the democracy. She asked all Mukhiyas to form gram sabhas wherever not formed yet.
She said the Sakhi Mandals in the villages will be given every possible help by the government in developing the basic infrastructure. She requested the farmers to sit in the village �chaupal� regularly and make sure that they do not leave their agricultural land barren.
She further advised the farmers to utilize barren lands for sowing pulses. She assured them of basic amenities such as electricity, water and road.
Also present on the occasion was Principal Secretary, Home, Principal Secretary Rural Department, DIG of Kolhan, directof of Fishery Department, Jharkhand, the deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum Amit Kumar and DDC Suraj Kumar.