Giving assurances of potable water through pipeline to all and development of the state in the next five years, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghuvar Das today sought time to fill the "potholes" left behind by previous governments during the past 14 years.
"The poor people of the state have suffered a lot due to lack of development. I appeal to the people as well as political parties not to politicise the issue of development, but get involved in the development process," Das said, while addressing a public meeting at Juri ground, 12 km from here, after inaugurating two roads between Hata-Swaspur-Musaboni and Potka-Kudada in East Singhbhum.
"I need some time to fill the potholes left behind by previous governments during the last 14 years," he said.
"We are blessed with abundance of mineral resources to become the number 1 state of the world in the next ten years, but we need to change our mindset," he said.
"The road development department has been given a target for constructing at least 1,500 km roads and 50 bridges in the current financial year and Rs 3,000 crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose," he said.
"The government has plans to develop
Jamshedpur-Ranchi-Dhanbad as a golden triangle industrial corridor with PPP participation and ADB assistance," Das said adding, his government has already approved the preparation of a DPR for the purpose and also for the proposed Ranchi-Bokaro-Dhanabad Expressway.
The chief minister said initiatives have been taken to ensure that people get drinking water through pipeline by 2018.
"I do not want to criticise anyone including the political parties, but there was no accountability of funds released under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during the previous regime," he said adding, 75 per cent of roads to be constructed under PMGSY were incomplete and he was unaware of how the funds meant for the scheme were utilised.
Stating that the priority of his government was to provide development-oriented corruption-free good governance, the chief minister said the state government has already prepared a "blue print of development" and working to improve education, health, road and rail infrastructure sectors.
Development of rail and road network would help the state to achieve development on all fronts including economy and industry as well as improve the standard of life of the rural masses, Das said.
He also announced that adequate number of teachers would be recruited to improve the education system by November 15.
