JOHAR!

Today, on this auspicious day, our beloved Jharkhand completes 21. For us human beings, 21 is the age when we transition into youth.

At this point, we are full of energy, vision, ambition, goals, and aspirations. This age is that stage of our life where we can dream and achieve all that we commit ourselves to. Our beloved state, Jharkhand has attained that age today. Being the Chief Minister, I too have an encompassing vision for Jharkhand. I want to take our state to new heights, achieve prosperity within the ambit of the overarching sustainable development goals. I have a firm belief in my people and with their contribution, soon, our state will be shining at the top.

Today, first of all, I would like to wish my fellow citizens of Jharkhand on the joyous occasion of our state’s foundation day. This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. I offer my prayers to Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Our celebration will be incomplete without remembering his struggle and those countless brave martyrs, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible for us to get a separate state for our people. Our brave ancestors attained martyrdom while blowing the trumpet of Ulgulan for our rights. Truth is that the foundation of Abua Jharkhand was laid on the blood and sweat of our Ulgulan heroes.

Our ancestors have fought a long battle for the formation of the separate state of Jharkhand. But, even after so many years, those revolutionaries could not get their due respect which has been long due for 20 years. No government could take any concrete step in this direction. For the first time, the incumbent government has taken steps to felicitate our heroes, our leaders, revolutionaries of Jharkhand Andolan and honour them for their sacrifice. This will add a new dimension to the social harmony of the state. I feel privileged to announce that we have added provisions for reservation in government jobs for the dependents of the revolutionaries and introduced pension schemes for them.

With the vision of a prosperous and developed Jharkhand, the government is working tirelessly for the people of the state. Focusing on social welfare and an inclusive development agenda, we are working for the development of poor, deprived, women, farmers, minorities, strengthening our health infrastructure and transforming our public education system, fostering youth empowerment, creating employment opportunities, ensuring social security and facilitating new avenues for sports and tourism.

The past two years have been difficult due to the global Covid-19 pandemic causing unprecedented human loss. Our state was no exception. We all suffered during the spread of the pandemic and lost our dear ones. I pay homage to all the lost souls and pray for the families who lost their dear ones.

We cannot deny the fact that Covid-19 has created a crisis in our lifestyle and livelihood. Industries have been affected, people had to leave their jobs and were forced to return. The rural economy too experienced a major setback.

However, despite all the odds, resources have to be mobilised for the betterment of the state. Aspirations of the people have to be fulfilled. It is undoubtedly challenging, but we are ready to take upon this challenge. The government has a long-term plan, the result of which will be far-reaching. We are committed to safeguarding both life and livelihood.

I believe that policies formulated in the last two decades targeted short-term benefits, which has hampered progress in achieving our long-term development goals. This is the reason that this time we undertook an Outcome budget. The foundations of a self-reliant country or a state are built on a robust and thriving rural economy. Towards the same, we need to pay attention towards the needs of this rural economy, we need to empower our rural population and our farmers on a priority basis. They are the backbone of our economy. We need to increase the purchasing power of our rural population and mobilise economic resources for them.

The state government is taking multiple steps to financially empower the rural population and increase their purchasing power. Towards the same, the wage rate of MGNREGA was increased by the state government and this year the budget has been increased by 11 per cent to strengthen the rural economy.

Initiatives have been taken for the empowerment of farmers. In the budget, we have proposed farm loan waivers. Kisan Credit Cards are being provided to the farmers of the state. Farmers are being linked with agriculture as well as animal husbandry so that they have an additional source of livelihood. We endeavour to create a positive environment in rural as well as urban spaces. We will work towards a certain goal every year and one by one we will achieve these goals with full vigour.

When I travel to the remote areas of the state and interact with the people, I realise, there is an urgent need for industrial development in those areas. We have launched the Jharkhand Industrial Investment and Promotion Policy 2021 to attract more investments and to further develop industrial sectors. Since the launch, we have been receiving many proposals for investment in the state.

This will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for the hardworking and talented youth workforce here. With this policy, the government aims to expand industrialisation in the backward and most distant parts of the state. We are committed to resolving all the issues faced by industrial houses in setting up new units. It will create new employment opportunities for the people living in that area.

I abide by the fact that the year 2021 will be the year of employment. Many decisions have been taken in this regard and in the coming future, more such decisions will follow. Regarding the future of the youth of Jharkhand, for the first time in history, the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Rules 2021 have been formulated and enacted.

Cabinet approval for the amendment in appointment rules has been undertaken to remove the bottlenecks in the appointment rules of different government departments. It was necessary to cancel a few of the appointments, as the youth of our state was facing the brunt of these appointments conducted under irregularities. The efforts of the government are to connect the youth with employment through world-class vocational training. Thousands of young individuals are being trained and skilled, thereby increasing their employability in different sectors across the nation.

Jharkhand is doing exceedingly well in the field of sports. We have hosted two national-level hockey tournaments. In the recently concluded Olympics, the daughters of Jharkhand have performed exceptionally well as part of the national hockey team and made the entire country proud. Keeping in view the possibilities of sports in Jharkhand and to encourage players, they are being directly appointed to government jobs.

Last but not least, ensuring the delivery of government schemes at the doorstep of every citizen across the state is one of our primary objectives. To ensure the benefits of government schemes are being availed by every citizen in the state, today onwards there will be panchayat/ward level service delivery government camps till December 28. I’m committed to ensure that “your government will be at your doorstep to ensure you avail your rights”.

Friends, Jharkhand has completed a journey of two decades. We are now entering a new phase. Let’s decorate it together. With cooperation from the people of the state, we can transform the vision of Inclusive prosperous Jharkhand into reality. Once again, let me take this opportunity to wish you all on the occasion of State Foundation Day.

Jai Jharkhand, Johar Jharkhand!

Hemant Soren is chief minister, Jharkhand