"We are taking up development work scheme-wise and committed to complete it within the stipulated timeframe," he said at the concluding session of the 7th Santali and Regional Film Festival, organised by All India Santali Film Association (AISFA) at Gopal Maidan here this evening.
Das said "our forefathers had sacrificed their lives for separate statehood but unfortunately, the schedule tribe community did not develop as much as it should have been. I do not want to blame anyone for it and rather focus on achieving rapid all-round development with the participation of the people," he said.
The focus of the government was to ensure all round development of tribal-dominated Santhal Parganas, which was the most backward region of the state, Das said.
"Mineral-rich Jharkhand is rich but its people are poor because of prevalent illiteracy," he said, adding that Littipara is the most backward area of the state.
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He said the number of drop-out students was more than two lakh and the government has launched 'School chale-chalayein campaign' to bring these students back to schools in one year period.
Besides, the government has included nine local languages in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, Engineering and other entrance examinations to curb "outsiders" from getting the jobs meant for locals, he said.