Ranchi: With Jharkhand celebrating its 12th foundation day tomorrow, figures show that development has been slow, but Chief Minister Arjun Munda contends that it is a continuing process since the state was carved out from Bihar on Novemver 15, 2000.
Official records show that only 14,667 villages have been electrified which is just 45 per cent of the total 32,620. While only 8,484 villages are connected with roads, there is only eight per cent irrigation facility on 18.04 lakh hectare out of the total 38 lakh hectare cultivable land.
"There has been enough progress and development is an ongoing process," Munda, who heads the eighth government in the short history of the state, told on the eve of the statehood celebration. "Has traffic problems been solved in the national capital Delhi even after construction of the Metro? Therefore, development is an ongoing process and things are moving in the right direction under the (BJP-led) coalition government in Jharkhand," he said.
Pointing to the mineral wealth of the state, he said that it possess over 32 per cent of the country’s total coal and 25 per cent of iron ore and copper, besides also having deposits of uranium, mica, bauxite, granite, graphite, magnetite and others.
"But what has the state got from the Centre in return despite repeated requests for special status?" Munda asked while expressing disappointment over Jharkhand not getting special status that could have enabled an economic package.
"Instead, we have got pollution and people suffer displacement following exploitation by PSUs," Munda said, referring to the large-scale pollution from mining in the state and long-pending displacement problems.
Munda said his government has focused on providing infrastructure, education, health services and taking steps to generate employment to the youth.
PTI