Decline in poverty in Jharkhand : WB report

Ranchi, Jun 12 (UNI) A new World Bank (WB) report has identified weak institutional capacity, poor infrastructure development and lack of rural opportunities as the binding constraints to growth and development in Jharkhand.

The report 'Jharkhand: Addressing the Challenges of Inclusive Development' says Jharkhand's phenomenal growth potential can be unlocked by strengtening institutional capacity, improving infrastructure facilities and providing rural opportunities to the people of the state.

Releasing the report, Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi today said 14 out of 22 districts in the state were very poor and living condition of the people was pathetic.

Mr Marandi hoped that policies would be taken to lessen economic gap between haves and have nots.

Despite this, Jharkhand has shown a decline in poverty by an impressive two per cent a year between 1994 qnd 2002, improvement in access to primary education and some key health indicators in the last few years.

Challenges ahead include putting its fiscal house in order, addressing administrative constraints and effectively managing the state's large endowment of forests and mines.

Speaking on the occasion, WB Senior Manager Fayez Omar said Jharkhand has an immense potential to tap its mineral and forest wealth in a people and environment friendly manner, and embark upon an accelerated and inclusive growth strategy that ushers in a new development decade for Jharkhand.

He said the WB would be happy to partner with the state in this endeavour.

The report weighs on the strengths and weaknesses of an agricultural-based growth strategy and suggests that the solution for Jharkhand lies in an approach to development that aims at reducing risks associated with growth, especially in an economy with high levels of poverty and inequality.

UNI