MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, July 12: Senior BJP leader Mahesh Poddar, who recently completed his six-year term at Rajya Sabha, said that successive governments in Jharkhand have failed the state by completely disregarding the work done by the previous government.
Speaking at length about his experience and learning from his peers in Parliament to lagatar24.com, Poddar said, “Continuity is missing in the state. The next government should pick up from where the previous government left after making some progress.”
“If there are complaints and issues of corruption, it can follow the normal procedure of investigation and punishment, but there should be an attempt to look at the outcome of the various efforts made by the previous government like Momentum Jharkhand.”
The former Parliamentarian said that in the 75 years of India’s independence and in the last seven years, the rest of the country has grown tremendously with visible and increasing pace of development leaving a wide and deep gulf with less developed Jharkhand.
“The government has no concrete plans to create jobs. Mohandas Pai is right when he says western and southern states create more jobs than their workforce but lose out on their central share due to the larger population of northern and eastern states.
“There’s no point in complaining. It’s a fact that people from eastern India migrate to do menial jobs. We need to respond and take corrective steps. There may not be an easy solution. The state cannot do ‘cut and paste’ on policy matters, it has to customize.”
The BJP leader said that it is unfortunate that jobs, education, health and development have never been poll agendas in the state. Instead, sentimental issues like religion and social equation have taken the front seat and have kept the whole society busy.
“If Jharkhand remains undeveloped and unpromising, the flight of capital and talent will pick up pace. And, talent includes entrepreneurs. Businesses will move out of the state. Not just the children, even their parents want their kids to live a better life,” he said.
Poddar said that the Prime Minister has identified technology as the only answer to avoid corruption and improve accessibility of people centric services to the public. But Mahilong panchayat, hardly 10-12 kms from Ranchi, does not have internet, he said.
“There is resistance and opposition in using technology for land mapping and records. About 75 per cent of houses in Ranchi do not have a sanctioned map. The city is growing in a haphazard way. There is no system. Maps are sanctioned as per pick and choose.
“Affordable healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat was launched first in Jharkhand to improve the health services in collaboration with the private sector. Though many did get the services, there are many more who are yet to avail these health benefits.”
The BJP leader said that he does not find the politicians and bureaucrats in the state giving due respect to businesses or hearing their issues. Individual relations may be good or bad but overall the environment is not favourable to business, he said.
He said he was pained to meet the startup entrepreneurs as he could not resolve their issues. They came with a dream and they should be respected, and not treated like a land mortgage bank. Many may fail but some will surely find success, he said.
“Like other states in the country, people of Jharkhand also deserve a better life. Currently we are not moving in the right direction. One has to take a holistic and a long term view. We need major reforms in policy and administration, and need it quickly,” Poddar said.
Finally, on the stability of the current government, Poddar said, “It can complete its full term unless there is a major disruption within its own rank and file and partners. Any alliance government is susceptible to such mishaps. BJP has no role to play.
“If the investigative agencies are doing their job, it’s due to their own doing. Fortunately, the country has a very strong judicial system. Even if you blame the agencies like ED for carrying out the probe, the courts are there to provide justice,” the BJP leader said.
