Jharkhand looks forward to Finance Commission largesse

RANCHI: Jharkhand has urged the 14th Finance Commission to assist the state in wiggling out from its underdevelopment with adequate allocations, considering problems of unemployment and Left-wing extremism.

The Y V Reddy-headed Commission, which got a feedback on the state's problems from Chief Minister Hemant Soren, departmental heads and political leaders during its three-day visit here, assured all possible assistance to address them, official sources said here.

Speaking to the Commission yesterday, Soren drew its attention towards Jharkhand's irony of being rich in mineral resources yet lagging behind in infrastructure development, growing unemployment and numerous other problems, an official release said quoting the Chief Minister.

Stating that the people of the state face environmental/noise/river pollutions due to mining activities, he highlighted, among others, as to how people living near uranium mining areas faced birth defects.

He stressed on adequate funds to improve the condition of Jharkhand.

Stating that Left-wing extremism has been a hurdle in development, Soren said Saryu and Saranda Action Plans to develop extremist-hit villages in Latehar and West Singhbhum districts could be extended to other districts as well.

The Commission, which met political leaders of different parties today, also heard problems from the Congress, JMM, Left parties, AJSU party, BJP and several others, whose leaders put forward demands ranging from according special status to the state to raising royalty on coal and iron ore.