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Ranchi, Jan 24 :Development had not reached many parts ofJharkhand, Chief Minister Arjun Munda admitted after an extensive road trip across the state and said candidly that progress and a better quality of life would help in stemming the influence of Maoist guerrillas on the rural populace.
"I admit that development has not reached many parts of the state," Munda, who undertook a three-phased 'sadak yatra' through Jharkhand and promises to go on one every three months, told IANS in an interview.
"I undertook the 'sadak yatra' as means to travel in rural areas. My second and third 'sadak yatra' was in Maoist infested districts. I personally viewed the condition of the roads and social welfare schemes."
Answering a question on the Maoist influence in the state, where people in rural areas turn towards the guerrillas instead of government, Munda said: "I feel if panchayat bodies know their rights and work in the right direction, a majority of issues in rural areas will be solved.
"Development will help in fighting the Maoist menace. We are suffering for 50 years neglect of the region."
He said his road trip had helped him understand "ground realities" of this largely forested state of 30 million people.
"Now we will evolve a system to monitor the social securities schemes from the state headquarters. I will go for a 'sadak yatra' every three months to monitor the conditions of the roads and development going on in rural areas."
"I do not believe in dark politics. I believe in development. Politicians making tall promises is not a new thing but my agenda is to ensure social security to the people," said the 45-year-old politician.
The three-time chief minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started his yatra last November, during which he covered the seven districts in the Santhal Pargana region.
In the second phase last December, he inspected roads and developmental works of five districts in Palamau region.
The third phase kicked off Jan 19 and covered six worst Maoist-hit districts -- Ranchi, Lohardagga, Gumla, Simdega, Khuti and West Singhbhum.
"Before the budget session, I will try to visit all parts of the state by road. The fourth phase will begin next month in Hazaribgah. Based on the inputs given by the people, we will plan the budget," said Munda.
During the trip, he stopped in villages and interacted with the locals, enquiring about their problems.
"Sarkarein gaon jaa rahi hain (governments are going to villages)," he explained. "People come out with their problems."
"I am taking a first hand account of the ground reality of the state. The focus of my yatra is to understand the people's problems and how we can redress them. Schemes are conceived and introduced in large numbers, but their implementation is a big cause of concern," he said.
"There are two parts of development -- first is fund flow and second is utilisation," Munda said, adding that his aim is to put all social welfare schemes online to ensure transparency.
Asked how he would ensure that social security schemes reach the people, he said: "Awareness is must. Now, panchayat bodies have been elected and they have been given financial powers. It is their duty to ensure proper implementation of the schemes."
The Jharkhand government has also appointed one minister per district to review the developmental works. "There are so many issues which should be redressed at the district level," he said.
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