THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Nov 20: Jharkhand has completed 25 years of its formation, and after the State Government celebrated its Sthapna Diwas, the Samajik Arthik Evam Sansadiya Adhyayan Kendra today released a special souvenir titled “Jharkhand @25.”
The souvenir was jointly released by former Home Secretary J.B. Tubid, former Additional Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh, Economist and Professor Harishwar Dayal, and former MP Mahesh Poddar.
Souvenir Covers 25 Years of Jharkhand’s Journey
The publication contains articles on Jharkhand’s economic development, socio-political changes, tribal affairs, infrastructure, education, agriculture, fishery, culture, art, literature, and other key sectors.
Contributors include notable scholars and administrators such as Arun Kumar Singh (IAS, rtd), Prof. Chandrakant Shukla, Prof. Kamal Bose, Mahesh Poddar, Radhakrishna Kishore (Finance Minister, Jharkhand), Pradeep Kumar Verma (Rajya Sabha MP), Chandan Mishra, Balbir Dutt, Raj Sahay, Jeb Akhtar, Dr. Vinay Bharat, Nitish Priyadarshi, Santosh Kiro, Ayodhya Nath Mishra, among others.
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State Has Made Steady Progress: Speakers
Opening the event, Secretary Ayodhya Nath Mishra said that sectors like agriculture, fishery, milk production, and entrepreneurship will drive Jharkhand’s future growth. He noted that Jharkhand’s budget has grown from ₹6,000 crore at formation to over ₹1 lakh crore, showing clear progress.
Economist Prof. Harishwar Dayal said the state budget has now reached ₹1.40 lakh crore, reflecting fast-paced development.
He stressed the need to improve:
Higher education institutions
Recruitment in the education sector
Urban local body revenue
Environmental management (river pollution, air quality)
Healthcare infrastructure
Jharkhand Needs Mission-Mode Planning
Former Development Commissioner Arun Kumar Singh highlighted tourism potential, mineral resources, and the need for value addition in mining.
He pointed out concerns such as:
Lack of new industries
Issues with land, water, and electricity
Underperformance in tourism (India earns ₹303 crore from tourism; Jharkhand only ₹3 crore)
Weak PPP model
Low transparency
Need for improved budget spending
He said the 25-year milestone should be an opportunity for self-introspection and future planning.
Naxalism Affected Growth Momentum
Former Home Secretary J.B. Tubid spoke about how Naxalism impacted Jharkhand’s development during the early years.
He recalled discussions with leaders from Jaipal Singh to Shibu Soren, and how early warnings about Naxal influence proved true.
He said the state must now:
Strengthen industry and mining policies
Accelerate work in the IT sector for employment
Plan systematically for the next decade
Call for Mission-Mode Development
All speakers agreed that Jharkhand must use this 25-year mark for self-assessment and adopt a mission-mode approach for the future.
The meeting was attended by organisation president O.P. Lal, secretary Ayodhyanath Mishra, members Shyam Kishore Choubey, Arun Mishra, and others.
