Ranchi, Dec. 28: Completing his first year in office today, the Raghubar Das government promised to take adhikar - loosely the fruits of development - to the last citizen of the state in the next four years of the five-year term of the BJP led full-majority NDA government.
" Aanewale char varshon mein samaj ke antim vyakti ko uska adhikar pahunchana lakshya hoga (In next four years, it would be priority of the government to uplift the lives of people who are on the last rung of society)," Das said at his Kanke Road residence during a formal function to mark the completion of one year of his government this sunny afternoon, his mood radiating optimism. "This government will ensure water, power, irrigation facilities, education and other basics to people on the last social rung."
He stressed there was no lack of political willpower to perform "the best". "For me, politics is not a milestone or destination but a road to take people along," Das, flanked by cabinet colleagues and senior bureaucrats, said during the hour-long event.
Ministers C.P. Singh, Ramchandra Chandravanshi, Amar Kumar Bauri, C.P. Choudhary, Neera Yadav and Neelkanth Singh Munda; as well as chief secretary Rajiv Gauba, development commissioner R.S. Poddar, additional chief secretary N.N. Pandey, CM's principal secretary Sanjay Kumar, planning-cum-finance secretary Amit Khare and commercial taxes secretary Nidhi Khare, among top bureaucrats, were present.
Conspicuous by their absence were ministers Saryu Roy, Louise Marandi, Raj Paliwar and Randhir Kumar Singh.
In a year, the Das government signed 10 MoUs mainly in food processing, cement, power among other sectors, with the likes of Adani group, Ultratech Cement, NMDC Ltd, among others, which are at initial stages of execution.
"My government won't tolerate any form of corruption," the chief minister stressed, adding there was need to improve functioning of government officials across all tiers.
Asked about the government's take on much-awaited local residents' and employment policies, the chief minister agreed this was a sensitive and contentious issue.
"I have taken views from the political parties, intellectuals, social workers, among others. But there is a need to reach a consensus acceptable to all. During meetings, political party leaders say something, but outside (read while talking to media) their version changes," Das said.
To avoid misunderstanding, Das said the state personnel department had asked the Opposition to give their views in writing. "But, so far we have not received any response. Today too, I appeal to political leaders to give their views of the issue in writing so that the government can act," he said.
Chief secretary Gauba said the biggest achievement for the government was a "positive climate". "The government has decentralised and delegated powers in many forms. During the last year, government departments have come out with new policies and all-round action on implementation front."
Stressing on the catchphrase 'ease of doing business', Gauba said: "It is not only for industry but also to make people's lives hassle-free. Departments are working faster and in tandem. Out of Rs 31,690 crore plan budget this fiscal, we have been able to spend around 50 per cent so far."
In what may or may not have been a veiled barb, the chief minister's principal secretary Kumar compared the number of cabinet meetings and decisions held during this government's tenure and the last. "Between July 2013 and October 2014 (read Hemant Soren's regime) there were 29 cabinet meetings with 491 decisions. But this government in a span of one year has held 42 cabinet meetings with 814 decisions," Kumar asserted.
On the Opposition, Das maintained a statesmanlike stance. "My government wants to take them along on the path of state's progress. I'd like the Opposition to play a constructive role," said Das, who called on JMM patriarch Shibu Soren for his blessings.
A booklet, Badalta Jharkhand - Ek Varsh Seva Wah Prayas Ke, was also released at the function.
