Governor Syed Ahmed praised the BJP-led coalition Government for the work done in areas of irrigation, education and social sector while addressing Budget Session of State Assembly, on Monday.
Schemes such as Ladli Lakshmi Yojna, bicycle for girl students and Bills brought for Service Delivery to the common man and maintaining transparency, were given special attention in the address by the head of the State.
“The Government is committed to provide positive leadership, social justice and harmony, political stability and bringing all sections of the society into mainstream of development. I am happy that the Government is meeting with the expectations and aspirations of the people,” said the Governor reading out the speech.
Ahmed mentioned that about 7.5 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity had been generated till March 2011 by increasing the capacity of various reservoirs under small irrigation schemes. Work of Subarnarekha and Chandil has also been completed and farmers can now take benefits out of them, said the Governor. He also talked about LAMPS/PACS for purchasing record paddy production, which Jharkhand has witnessed this time.
The Governor also talked about drought-affected Palamau where work of 450-metre-long barrage on the Amanat river at Panki has been completed and canal construction work is also in progress. Coming on job oriented education and training, the Governor said that four ITIs in Naxal-affected districts were being developed as ‘centre for excellence’.
“Providing technical education and skill development has been included in our priorities. Task of opening ITIs for women in every district is in its last phase. Dropouts and BPL youth are being given free technical education. Making available land for Knowledge City near Ranchi-Khunti is also in the last stage,” he said.
Syed Ahmed said that the Government was willing to distribute 2,31,500 bicycles among High School girls during 2011-12 and setting up ‘Ashram Schools’ in nine Naxal-affected districts. These schools would admit children in Class VI to XII. Around 597 middle schools have been upgraded into high schools under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan. Similarly, process is on for upgrading 297 middle schools. English-medium model schools are also being established in 203 educationally backward Blocks, while building girl hostels have also being planned.
“Bitia Varsh and Bachpan Bachao is one of the ambitious schemes of the State Government. The Government on the occasion of 12th statehood day has started Mukhyamantri Laadli Lakshmi Yojna for the BPL families earning less than Rs 72,000 as annual income to educate and secure future of newborn girl child,” said the Governor. Health and sanitation scheme for adolescent girls and providing supplementary nutrition programme to them also got the State Government’s attention.
Setting up Medical Colleges in association with PSUs, providing jobs under MGNREGA and linking rural areas with banking outlets were also mentioned in the address. “Jharkhand is the first State to extend facility of National Health Insurance Scheme to MGNREGA labourers,” Ahmed said.
He also talked about 7,000 km road that has been built under the 1,340 schemes of PMGSY, Panchayat Bhawan buildings, extending legal assistance to STs and various schemes for improving urban amenities and extending livelihood to vendors. Governor said that the Government was committed to provide uninterrupted energy to all during the 12th Plan. He also mentioned the conservation of natural resources and promotion of organic silk, the specialty of the State.
Talking about Naxal menace, he said that efforts were being taken to control these and considerable dip had been recorded in the incidents. Electronic Service Delivery Act and Right to Services Act were also mentioned by the Government. He also termed MoU with Centre on six railway projects and improving Deoghar airport as milestones.
source: http://www.DailyPioneer.com / State Editions> Ranchi / PNS, Ranchi / March 05th, 2012