Chief minister Hemant Soren has said that the state government is committed to ensuring social and economic justice to the people of Jharkhand and is working on a new local resident's policy to reserve 75 per cent jobs for locals.

During his address in Dumka after hoisting the Tricolour on the 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday, Hemant said that the state government had declared 2021 as the year of recruitments.

“The real purpose of the Constitution will be achieved when everyone has access to social and economic justice. This government is committed to it,” he declared. “We are working towards a new local residents’ policy to reserve 75 per cent government jobs for locals,” said.

Notably, the Raghubar Das government had in 2016 come up with a similar policy which was then criticised by JMM and others in the Opposition for being “pro-outsiders”.

Stressing on filling vacant positions in the administration, he said, “We have come up with Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Examination rules for the first time in many decades so that different recruitment agencies can now conduct round-the-year recruitment tests.”

For residents of Dumka, Hemant promised them a state-of-the-art convention centre. “It will serve as an integrated platform for artistes for promotion of local arts,” he said, adding that a 500-bed hospital would also be ready soon.

In his 40-minute speech, Hemant said that women’s safety was always a key priority for his government. “We have set up a centralized 181 helpline integrating police, ambulance and other services for women's help,” he said, adding that in every district Sakhi centres for the rescued and rehabilitation c women were currently operational.

Chief minister also spoke of how his government had walked the extra mile to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time fight financial crunch to fulfil many of the poll promises made to voters. “Our covid management has been one of the best in the country,” he said.

Hemant also cited the launch of the Marang Gomke Scholarship Scheme to send select students to foreign countries for higher studies and farm loan waivers as some of the key achievements of his government.

In Ranchi, governor Droupadi Murmu hoisted the Tricolour at Morabadi ground amid a gathering of 3,000 people. The Republic Day function at Morabadi was without the usual cultural programme and Prabhat Pheri. Only 10 platoons of state police and para military forces took part in a parade.

Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu salutes the national flag after unfurling it during the Republic Day celebrations at the Morabadi ground in Ranchi, on Tuesday. Picture by Manob Chowdhary

Murmu appealed to the public to take a vow to stand united to safeguard the constitutional values of the nation. “Let’s everyone come together and stay united to fight against social evils and issues of terrorism, crime, etc for a better society and nation,” she said.

Later, Hemant called on Murmu at Raj Bhavan as is the custom every Republic Day. But this year, the annual beating retreat at Governor House was also cancelled due to the pandemic.