'Bring backward states on par with developed'

New Delhi, Dec 9: Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Kora today calledfor bringing backward states on a par with developed states within thenext five to ten years to tackle the problem of extremism throughall-round development.

"Development is the only effective solution for this problem," hesaid in his address at National Development Council (NDC) meeting,presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and added that therewas need to develop infrastructure as well as focus on education,health and poverty alleviation in the backward states.

Stating that different legislations relating to forest andenvironment conservation had hampered developmental activities in thestate, the Chief Minister said Jharkhand, which has 30 per cent of itsland under forest cover, was experiencing difficulty in implementingmany schemes as sites selected for irrigation and developmental schemesincluded forest area.

He demanded preference be given for coal linkages from mines inthe state to industries being set up in the state to protectJharkhand's economic interests. Regarding the Hoda Committee report, hefavoured shifting of the royalty regime to ad valorem basis urgently.

On the industrial front, Mr Kora said despite its limitedresources, his state was committed to develop infrastructure asinvestors would be attracted only then. Therefore, he underlined theneed to improve and strengthen national highways, rail network andpower generation in the state.

Pointing out that 50 per cent of the Railways' freight revenuecame from his state, he sought new rail lines to be taken up on apriority basis as most of the rail network was of the pre-Independenceperiod designed to transport mineral resources from the state to otherparts of the country.

On nuclear power, he said since Jharkhand was an important sourceof uranium in the country, a nuclear power plant should be set up inthe state.

Painting a bright future for Jharkhand in horticulture andfloriculture, Mr Kora said the Centre should take up the SwarnrekhaMultipurpose Project as a national project and sought revision ofexisting AIBP policy. The state had a large number of incompleteprojects which fulfill the criteria for inclusion under the AIBP butthey were not being included due to the existing policy.

UNI