Agricultural development is our top priority: Jharkhand Guv

RANCHI: Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu today said development of agriculture was the top priority for her government though industrial progress was also necessary to make the state progress.

Unfurling the national flag during her 67th Republic Day address, Murmu said development of agriculture was the state's priority.

Industrial development was also necessary to make the state prosperous, she said adding, the government was focused to provide a balanced, inclusive and environment-friendly development.

All possible efforts were being taken to develop education, health and finding solutions to unemployment, she said.

"...Efforts are on in setting up ITI and two development centres each in 10 naxal-affected districts of Chatra, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, Palamau, Latehar, Garhwa, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Lohardaga and Gumla," she said.

To make the state investment-friendly, she said labour laws were being simplified and the state had already put in place Jharkhand Industrial Park Act 2015, Food Processing Industry Act, 2015 and Jharkhand Feed Processing Industry Act, 2015.

These efforts, she said, resulted in the World Bank ranking Jharkhand third among the three states in the country in the category of 'Ease of Doing Business'.

For women self-sustenance in villages, the government is providing cows with 90 per cent grant, she said.

The government has already completed 810 of the 1,110 km road network target for 2015-16, she said.

The Governor said a total of Rs one crore would be given under the 'Chief Minister Panchayat Encouragement Prize Scheme' to encourage Swacch Bharat Mission, eradication of superstitions like witchcraft and abstaining from alcohol to the best Panchayat/Panchayat Samiti/district.