Jharkhand to develop 4,000 tribal-dominated villages in 4 years

JAMSHEDPUR: Jharkhand government will develop 4000 villages with 80 per cent tribal population in the next four years, Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said.

To start with the plan, the state government will identify such villages and will develop 1000 villages every year from August 15, Das told PTI.

These villages will be developed under Anusuchit Janjati Gramin Vikas Yojana (Schedule Tribe Rural Development) Scheme, he said adding that while 1000 tribal-dominated villages will be taken up this fiscal year, total 4000 such villages will be covered in next four year time.

The Gram Panchayat Committees will be given the responsibility to achieve the target and involve women self-help groups (SHG) for the purpose, he said.

The government will allot Rs 2 lakh to the SHG, he said.

The educated youth of these villages will also be given Rs two lakh each and trained under 'Schedule Tribe Welfare Fund' scheme for self-employment.

The state government also has plans to impart skill development course in the school curriculum from next year to promote self-employment, he said.

"We have abundance of mineral and human resources and have potential to become one of the developed state of the country in next ten years time", the chief minister claimed.

Referring to his two-day visit to Chotanagra, in the mid of naxal stronghold Saranda forest last month, Das said a huge crowd of tribals gathered on the occasion demanding for basic amenities such as water, electricity, road, education, health etc.

The government was committed to improve the infrastructure in these rural pockets, he said.