Ranchi, Jan. 11: The state government has directed the Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Corporation (Jinfra) to shoulder the responsibility of undertaking seven major projects.

At the maiden meeting of the board of directors of Jinfra here today, the projects were approved and handed over to Jinfra. Chief secretary M.K. Mandal chaired the meeting as the chairman of the seven-member board of directors.

Jinfra will be responsible for preparing the project reports, inviting and finalising bids, overseeing quality and ensuring timely completion of the projects.

The seven projects include establishing an industrial centre in Barhi, setting up a hazardous waste disposal plant and an auto-component park in Adityapur, a horticulture complex (venue undecided), a five-star hotel, a sports complex and a food park in Ranchi.

According to sources, the state government has asked Jinfra to implement the projects due to its poor track record.

Industry department officials said the state government would not be able to undertake these projects, as all of these require massive funding.

“The government procedures to finalise bids for projects is cumbersome and takes time. There are inordinate delays in the completion, too. But such bottlenecks would not be present with Jinfra and the projects would be actualised faster,” said a senior government official.

Jinfra, a 50:50 joint venture between the state government and the IL&FS, was formed last year to give impetus to projects in Jharkhand. Both parties involved in the creation of the infrastructure development body have created a corpus fund by donating Rs 1 crore each.

Such private-public partnerships involving the IL&FS and state governments are working successfully in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal.

Referring to the discussions in today’s meeting, industries director Rahul Purwar said the board has also decided to appoint a company secretary and auditors for Jinfra.