Poor leadership in rich J’khand

Jitendra K Shrivastava in Ranchi

Jharkhand is a treasure of natural resources, even though one-third of its population is devoid of basic amenities. It was carved out of Bihar in 2000 considering its economic backwardness, and potential to sustain on its own resources.

When Jharkhand was a part of Bihar, it contributed majorly to that state’s revenue. Whatever it got in return was found to be inadequate. A separate state was to ensure development of tribal people, the original inhabitants of vast stretches of forestland. But what the state got was political instability and a sheer lack of political will.

"The mineral and forest-rich Jharkhand in old Bihar contributed as much as 75% of the total revenue of the state, while it was given only 25% of the budget support. After Jharkhand was separated from Bihar, tribal people hoped development work would get some impetus," says Jharkhand-based political scientist VP Sharan. In the 81-member assembly, legislators seldom show interest in development schemes. Before the Raghuvar Das dispensation, the state saw a coalition government led by the BJP. In 2013, Babulal Marnadi resigned as CM ahead of trial of strength after some legislators turned against him. 

The state government has not even made a forest policy even though 72% of its population depends on forest. "Political instability prevents a government from taking hard decisions. The core issues of the state remain unaddressed as ruling parties get involved in saving coalition governments. "It's only now that the Raghuvar Das government has formulated a domicile policy, a hard decision indeed," says Sharan.

The state is miles away from reaching its tribal populace. "Around 5 lakh women work as domestic helps in Delhi and the NCR region. Most of them are tribals or belong to poor families. This is what happens when government schemes fail to reach the people," says Vasvi Kiro, former member of the State Women Commission.

"Women in the state earn their livelihood from forest produce and sell country-made liquor on the road-sides. There are no roads linking the tribal areas. They don't even get safe drinking water," says Vasvi.

Jharkhand has faced the President's rule in 2009, 2010 and 2013. Former BJP MP Salkhan Murmu says political parties must decide on common development goals. "No one wants another Madhu Koda, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a series of corruption cases."