Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Dec 28: Rome was not built in a day or, for that matter, no other country or state. From a burning desire, passionate dreams and through struggles, revolts and martyrdoms through centuries, the land for, of and by the people was realized two decades ago – a reality – Jharkhand. Slowly but steadily, development has been seeing the light of day and the several governments that have come and gone, dreams and visions of the generations have come to be evolved in the realms of reality.
The Hemant Soren led government completes one vital and challenging year in office on Tuesday, December 29. The vital factors are development, development and development of all sectors from the farmlands to cottage industries, from self employment to industrial development, from education to unemployment solutions. The challenges that the one year old state government has had to face are numerous but the biggest of them all was the COVID factor where the state outperformed many others. Political bickering is an essential factor in a democratic setup but in spite of all negative approaches resorted to by the opposition and allies, the fact remains that the youthful and dedicated Hemant Soren has made it clear that he means business on economic and social development spheres.
A recent case in point is the announcement of waiver of farmers’ loans to the extent upto Rs 50,000. However, a clause may have upset the applecart of many expectations in the sense that the waiver would not include loans that have been marked Non Performing Assets (NPA). But there is hearting word that the state government is doing a rethink on the NPA factor and there is bright hope that such NPA accounts may also be included in the waiver plan.
The unemployment problem may have been compounded by the arrival of migrant workers from other states to their hearths and homes but with the implementation of central and state schemes especially in rural segments has seen an upbeat even among the most diehard pessimists whether they own up or not. The urban zone has not been lefty unattended either. Be it central or state plans and programmes for employment, the Hemant government has been ensuring strict compliance that reflects the commitment of the Jharkhand government towards eradication of a socio economic curse that unemployment is.
Closer to Jamshedpur, the industrial area sector where a majority of concerns are ancillaries to big industries are employing skilled and semi skilled workers where, through the state government’s intervention, a mass of unemployed hands are being enrolled. It might be less in comparative ratio but a beginning has been made and that should get full marks for the Hemant Soren government in its one year’s progress report. But as things stand and as morning shows the day, the government’s determination to eliminate the joblessness curse can only yield better results as calendar pages turn.
The health sector too has pink on its cheeks. The strenuous COVID times did not deter the state government from making the best out of limited resources and the results are there for all to see. Jharkhand is one of those rare states where the death, infection rates are comparatively low but the recovery rate is reassuringly high. Similarly, nutrition for children, expecting and lactating mothers are being given a place under the sun of priority. Moreover, the Sadar, other government hospitals, health centres and sub centres are dispensing top end medical services to people who cannot pay for treatment or medicines. And the lot of these people are uncountable.
The pension schemes, no matter how small or smaller are being provided to all eligible segments and where there have been slips officials concerned have been given solid soundings so that such slips do not recur.
Yes, there has been a partial blotch-up in law and order situation in Jharkhand. But if compared with the teething years, in spite of what the opposition hollers, the situation is in an improving mode. But sooner the better should be a byword for this determined government which has lived up to its motto of meaning business on all fronts. But expectations of ‘better’ have been omnipresent down the ages and it will remain so. Efforts and intents are what matter and Captain Hemant Soren and his team has shown promise through one year of legitimate governance.
