Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu
Soren today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and
asked for a special financial package for the state which has
been reeling under drought.
"Following the severe drought, the state has provided
relief to farmers and labourers from its resources. Centre
should consider a special package for the state," an official
release quoted Soren as saying to Singh in New Delhi.
The state was declared drought-hit during the spell of
President`s rule in the state.
Stating that the 12th Finance Commission had
recommended Rs 482 crore for Jharkhand, Soren said the funds
could not be released because of non-holding of Panchayat
elections.
Panchayat elections, he said, could not be held as the
case had been pending before Supreme Court.
"Now that the apex court pronounced its judgement last
week, elections to the local bodies would be held soon," Soren
said.
The release said Prime Minister had assured Soren that
he would talk to Union Finance Ministry over it and that he
would favourably consider the state`s demand.
Soren was accompanied by two Deputy Chief Ministers,
Sudesh Mahto and Raghuvar Das, Principal Secretary Sukhdeo
Singh and son Hemant.
-PTI
