Steps taken for industrial growth, job creation: J'khand Guv

Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu on Saturday hailed the state's efforts to create a conducive industrial environment, making way for more investments and job opportunities. The government has initiated a constructive approach to deal with naxalism by linking security measures with development, which resulted in reduction in naxal activities in the state, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said at another programme in Dumka.

Murmu, unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 70th Republic Day at Ranchi, said, Jharkhand is continuously making efforts for rapid industrial development. "In the last four years, it has taken several steps for industrial growth... widening the path for investments and generating job opportunities," she said.

To reduce unemployment and migration, the Governor said the state government had organised the Global Skill Summit, 2019, and given jobs to more than one lakh youth. Chief Minister Raghubar Das had earlier this month claimed that it became the first state to achieve the feat of giving jobs to over one lakh youth in the private sector.

Murmu said that terrorism and extremism are challenges for the state and the country, and Jharkhand has taken several initiatives to tackle Left-wing extremism. She also appealed to the ultras to shun the path of extremism and contribute in the development of the nation.

Speaking about literacy, the Governor said her government is committed to make the state "100 per cent literate from the present 81.25 per cent". Hoisting the national flag at Dumka, the chief minister said terrorism and naxalism have been the biggest challenge before the nation and the state government has taken a stern action to deal with naxalism in the state.

The government initiative has resulted in decreasing naxal activities and their number in naxal-affected districts have come down to 19 from 21 and extremely naxal-affected districts from 16 to 13. He said the security personnel are now participating in development work along with their routine anti-naxal operations.

A network of roads were being laid on priority basis in naxal-affected areas and the government has been receiving full support from the local people, Das said. The chief minister also announced that a "Mukhyamantri Bike Ambulance Yojana" was being launched in hilly and naxal-affected areas of the state.

All facilities of an ambulance would be provided on a motorbike under the scheme and a baby care kit would also be provided on the birth of child, he said. In view of the shortage of doctors in the state, he said seats in medical colleges are being raised to 900 from the current 300..