AJSU to start reconstruction of Jharkhand - Mahto

Jamshedpur, Oct 5 (UNI) AJSU president and former Jharkhand Minister Sudesh Mahto today called upon the party activists to devote themselves to the reconstruction of the state.

Talking to newsmen here during the party's three-day 10th convention, which began here yesterday, Mr Mahto said, '' We fought for the creation of a separate Jharkhand state but now our second goal is to reconstruct the state as the objective of bifurcation of the state from Bihar is not fulfilled even after seven years of its existence.'' Mr Mahto lamented that the condition of the common people remained unchanged despite the sacrifice of many, who visualised that the new state would usher in a new era. He said the biennial convention would bring resolution aimed at strengthening the party and building a prosperous Jharkhand for which the state was created.

Mr Mahto said the party had decided to prepare documents to mete out justice to those, who took part in the Jharkhand movement and dedicated their lives for the cause of the state, and hundreds of them were still languishing behind bars.

He said a committee was also formed to make the documents.

AJSU spokesman Dev Sharan Bhagat said the party had focussed on rural education and decided to launch ''shikshadan Abhiyan'' in all the villages of the state. He said without imparting education to the poor and downtrodden no development was possible.

Mr Bhagat said, ''We have taken it (educating the people) as challenge, and to fulfil the mission the party would form 'Gram Shikshan Samity' in every block of the state for the smooth running of the education campaign in rural Jharkhand. '' Mr Mahto said apart from political resolutions the party would announce its policies on rehabilitation, displacement, issues like ''Jal, Jungle, Jamin'' in the next two days.

AJSU's state Kishan Cell President Vijay Ranjan said agriculture should be given the status of an industry and stressed on the constitution of a Farmers' Commission, which would help the farmers get proper price of their products.

Mr Ranjan said at present due to the presence of brokers and the middlemen the farmers were being deprived of their due prices.

UNI