Jhumra: 100 villages have electricity now, thanks to DC Sunil Kumar (below)

The district administration is getting ready to unveil development projects worth Rs 50 crore in Maoist infested zones of Bokaro, Jhumra and Upar Ghat, the initiative timed to take advantage of the ongoing internal strife in rebel ranks.

The district administration is, therefore, constituting Jhumra Area Development Authority (JADA) in Gomia block and Upar Ghat Area Development Authority (UGADA) that will oversee various projects focussing on roads, rural health and rural electrification, besides setting up more PDS outlets, employment generating schemes and educational institutions.

Bokaro deputy commissioner Sunil Kumar explained the rationale behind the idea. “Once unemployed youths and women are given jobs to earn their livelihood and villagers are provided with motorable roads, health centres, educational institutes and other basic needs, they will themselves join in the development process,” he told The Telegraph.

On roads, the deputy commissioner said work on the 14km concrete road between Rahawan to Jhumra was going on in full swing. It was expected to be completed in a year, while the rural engineering organisation (REO) department and Public Works Department (PWD) have been told about starting work on other link roads of Gomia and Nawadih blocks.

Kumar said a meeting of all officials of Jhumra and Upar Ghat had been convened on June 15 to prepare a master plan for the two authorities. “Already, electricity has reached more than 100 villages in these two blocks,” he said, adding that the civil supply department had been asked to set up 100 PDS outlets for local villagers.

More health centres were also being opened in Naxalite infested areas of Nawadih, Gomia, Kasmar, Petarwar and Bermo blocks, while Bokaro civil surgeon had been asked to convene regular medical camps in these areas.