Jharkhand Govt targets 11 per cent GDP in 2006-07

Ranchi, Aug 15 (UNI) Unlike past year Jharkhand today celebrated a violence free Indepedence day amidst tight security.

Chief Minister Arjun Munda unfurled the tri-colour flag here on the occasion of 60th Independence Day.

Confining his speech on the developmental activities of the government he choose to remain tight lipped on the naxalite activities plauging the state.

Last year on the eve of Independence Day the ultras struck many sensitive areas damaging railway tracks following series of encounters between security forces and naxalites, official sources said.

However, today no case of untoward incident was reported in the state.

Mr Munda said in 2001-02 the state's GDP was recorded at 9.10 per cent against last year's 5.39 per cent, adding that the same was expected to stand at 11 per cent in 2006-07.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, unfurling the national tri-colour Dumka, state's second capital, appealed to the people to participate in the state's various developmental programmes.

Mr Razi further added that the six year old state had been able to carve a niche for itself in the national scenario.

He said the state had so far signed 156 MoUs of Rs two lakh crore.

"About seven lakh children were going to schools with the combined efforts of UNICEF and state government's 'school chale hum' drive," the governor added.

The chief minister also said that his state was ready to hold the 34th National Games in 2007 for which sports complexes were being constructed along with more number of training centres, Mr Munda said Besides, stadium's were being constructed at different districts like Simdega, Palamu, Loherdaga, Gumla, Latehar, Dumka, Saraikela and Sahebganj, he added.

He said the state has 37 per cent of the country's total mines and minerals and efforts are being made to create ambience for indutrialisation.

Dog squads and specialists worked on war footing in the past 48 hours to unearth land mines and multi-layer security arrangement made in the main official venue here.

Altogether 16 out of total 22 districts are dominated by CPI (maoist) ultras in the state.

Going by the past experience, special care was taken for Uranium Corporation Limited, Central Met Laboratory, Indian Institute of Coal Mines, Central Mines Planning and Design Institute among some of the important installations.

Vigil was kept on railways keeping in view last year's maoist attack. Last year ultras damaged railway tracks in several areas.

UNI PRS PP RN1729