Unresolved issues dominate election campaign in six East Singhbhum assembly seats

Navneet Mishra

Jamshedpur, Nov 12: As the electoral battle heats up ahead of the November 13 voting in East Singhbhum district, candidates are focusing on addressing long-standing issues that have remained unresolved for years. Voting will be held for six assembly seats in the region: Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West, Potka, Ghatshila, Jugsalai, and Baharagora.

One of the major concerns raised by voters in urban areas is the issue of ownership rights for 86 settlements. Despite efforts by former Chief Minister Raghubar Das to address the issue, administrative challenges, including impractical rules and incomplete paperwork, led to the failure of the initiative. This longstanding issue has been pending for over 25 years, leaving thousands of families in Jamshedpur East directly affected.

Another issue that has been highlighted during the election campaign is the closure of the local cable company. While candidates have promised to restart the company, no concrete steps have been taken, and the company remains shut down. Additionally, matters such as the third voting right for urban citizens, the construction of a Higher Education Centre and Health Centre, and the regularization of illegal colonies in railway areas continue to be unresolved.

The long-pending issue of Dhalbhumgarh airport is also a significant concern. Despite correspondence going on for the past five years, the airport remains a distant dream. This lack of an airport forces residents to travel to Ranchi or Kolkata for air services, which has also hampered the preparation of land for large industries in the region.

Another longstanding demand of the people is the creation of Ghatshila as a separate district. Despite protests and efforts by former MLA Laxman Tudu, who raised the issue in the assembly, Ghatshila remains a subdivision. The distance of Ghatshila from the district headquarters, Jamshedpur, is 45 kilometers, and smaller subdivisions in the state have already been granted district status, further fueling the demand for Ghatshila’s elevation.

As the election draws closer, these unresolved issues are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the voters’ decision in the upcoming assembly elections.