Dismissing criticism as nonsense, Koda dishes out success story

Ranchi, Nov 14 (UNI) In the wake of mounting criticism from the Opposition and some ruling allies of the UPA, particularly Congress, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today dismissed the charges as ''nonsense'' saying his one year term in office saw swifter development than that of his predecessors during the past six years.

Mr Koda on the eve of the seventh state foundation day said the UPA government addressed the core issue of unemployment as about 27,000 youths were given engagement to earn their living by his government.

Addressing a news conference here at his oficial residence, the Chief Minister said 5300 youths were appointed under NREGA scheme while 15,852 as anganvadi sevika/assistants, 3000 as auxiliary nursing midwife (ANM), 3100 constables, 474 engineers and 600 teachers (welfare schools) menat for adivasi areas mainly.

Process of employing 5000 more constable was underway which, he said was expected to be completed within next two months.

Regarding education in technology, he said engineering colleges would be set up at Chaibasa, Dumka and Ramgarh adding cabinet approval for private engineering colleges was given for Garwah, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Jamshedpur and Deogarh.

The cabinet also approved of medical colleges at Deogarh, Godda and Bokaro while private dental colleges would be established at Garwwah, Jamshedpur and Hazaribagh.

As part of decentralisation of administration, the 20-point programme implementation committees had been formed at district level at 20 districts and all block levels, Mr Koda said.

Regional office of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would be inaugurated tomorrow here, he said and hoped that it would help reduce banking-related probelms in the state.

On roads, the Chief Minister said Rs 637.54 crore had been alloted for construction and repair of 631.79 km roads and 23 new pools.

The Centre also promised to give Rs 300 crore under Backward Rural Grant Fund (BRGF) per annum, he said and added that it had been pending for a long time.

UNI