Ramesh inaugurates facility to monitor progress in Saranda

Union Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh today inaugurated an Integrated Development Centre (IDC) at Digha in naxal-affected Saranda in West Singhbhum district.
Established by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the IDC would be of help in monitoring the progress of the Saranda Action Plan (SAP), a union government programme, being implemented in 56 villages in Saranda.
Appreciating the SAIL for setting up the Rs five crore IDC, Ramesh said the building was to be completed by the previous state government but it failed to meet the deadline.
The task was than given to SAIL, which completed it within the stipulated timeframe, he said.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the tardy pace of implementation of SAP by the previous BJP led coalition government in the state, he said out of the 13 road construction projects under the SAP, the progress of nine was slow but the development work would now get impetus under the present administration.
Jharkhand is under President's rule since January 18.

The Centre was committed to carry out development in these villages after they got rid of naxal activities and there was no intention to drive political mileage, he said.
Later, Ramesh discussed with officials of departments of agriculture, health and energy about the situation.

The minister also interacted with the villagers and distributed solar lamps, medicated mosquito nets, agriculture equipment etc.