TT: Citizens’ Foundation works in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Assam. Working closely in so many states, what would you say is the main deterrent to development in Jharkhand? 

GR: Fractured mandates. No political party or combine before now had got a simple majority since the creation of the state, resulting in pressure politics from certain corners that made governance less effective  

What would be your suggestion to the new government? 

Be policy-driven, keeping the needs of the masses in mind 

Where has Jharkhand failed the most in the last 14 years? 

It is not a policy-driven state but a chair-driven one. Governments may come and go, but institutions like Panchayati Raj should function normally. Ideally, governance should carry on irrespective of political instability. That hasn’t happened 

Who is to be blamed for the mess — the BJP, the Congress or the JMM? 

Everyone. But now, we should all forget past debacles and hope for better days ahead. Beyond politics, parties should perform their roles positively whether in power or in Opposition 

Which sector needs immediate attention? 

Education and health are important to develop human resource. Urgent work is needed in the irrigation sector to provide water to farmers and prevent unchecked migration to cities

As a development sector man, what to you is most pitiable in rural Jharkhand?

State-run health and education sectors

Give instances? 

Both sectors need major revamp in bare minimum facilities, be it timely distribution of textbooks under Sarva Siksha

Abhiyan or 24/7 healthcare services in centres and sub-centres 

Will the situation improve?

A strong and concerned government can bring pivotal change in a year or so 

What is your message to the new government? 

Political representatives must be for people first and foremost

Ideally, what is the government’s role in a democracy?

That of a facilitator 

As told to amit gupta