Hemant Soren government completes one year in office

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed satisfaction over the functioning of his year-long coalition, claiming his government delivered more in lesser duration.

"We took the reins under difficult circumstances (on July 13, 2013) and in the less time we have delivered more work, addressing employment and other areas," Soren said here.

Marking the anniversary ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections later this year, Soren said policy decisions could not either be taken or delayed following the Model Code of Conduct for the recently-held Lok Sabha elections, yet the government completed the recruitment exercise and worked in the electrification sector in the short duration.

Stating that the state would go for Assembly elections scheduled later this year, the Chief Minister said he would make the people aware of the development programmes undertaken by the government. Distributing appointment letters to sports persons, teachers and land 'patta' to eligible people, Soren said "Though we have worked much there is a lot of distance to cover."

The government gave away appointment letters to hockey player Binoy Soy and Kabbadi player Vindhyavasini while archer Mangal Singh Champia could not make it as his car broke down midway. They got the job of sub-inspector. Promising more appointments in future, Soren called upon the people to seek government schemes and derive benefits from them, availing  50 per cent to 90 per cent grant in some of the schemes.

Taking on critics of his government, Soren said several people flayed this government, but they should assess development works before any criticism. Flaying the Soren-led UPA government in the state, former chief minister Arjun Munda alleged that its one-year rule had been "unsuccessful" in maintaining administration, law and order and 'failed' in economic management.

Claiming that the government could spend only Rs 10,455 crore out of the total plan amount of about Rs 16,000 crore earmarked for 2013-14, Munda alleged that other than announcements and assurances, the government had no vision to provide a transparent administration.