Stung by Cong, Koda assures betterment in 2 months or leave chair

Ranchi, Nov 15 (UNI) Within two hours of Congress warning to the Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand to improve on all fronts or face consequences, the Chief Minister today iterated that if situation does not improve within a maximum of 45 days he will lose all moral right to be in the chair.

At 1445 hrs, the Congress-led by CWC member Ajay Maken set a target of two months to improve the ''dismal situation'' and a beleagured Chief Minister presiding over a state function of the seventh foundation day of Jharkhand gave in saying ''we will not have moral right to be in chair if the condition of electricity, road and water does not improve''.

The state foundation day graced by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Sibu Soren as chief guest was held at the historic Morabadi Ground here which was boycotted by the Congress.

However, Mr Koda attacked the previous NDA governments in the past six years saying they were only hobnobbing with the industrialists, but in the past one year his government made a record of sorts by employing 27,000 youths under different schemes.

Dishing out his success story, he said 5,300 youths were appointed under NREGA scheme while 15,852 as anganvadi sevika/assistants, 3,000 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 the next two months.

Mr Soren, also chairman of the state UPA, said the burning issue of the state was insurgency and lack of development.

Deputy Chief Ministers Stephen Marandi and Sudhir Mahto, HRD Minister Bandhu Tirkey, Agriculture Minister Nalin Soren and other ministerial colleagues were present on the occasion.

UNI