Jairam launches welfare plan for Naxal-hit Saranda

The Jharkhand government formally launched the Saranda Action Plan by handing over the first instalment of funds to 2,750 Ho tribals to build houses under the Indira Awas Yojna

The Jharkhand government on Monday formally launched the Saranda Action Plan (SAP) by handing over the first instalment of funds to 2,750 Ho tribals to build houses under the Indira Awas Yojna.

Saranda,home to about 7,000 Ho families,is Asias largest Sal forest,covering over 820 square km of West Singhbhum district. It was the headquarters of the CPI(Maoist) for a long time.

The scheme was launched by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh,who handed over cheques,bicycles,solar lights and transistors to the beneficiaries.

Story continues below this ad

Ramesh later laid the foundation stone for two roads at Salai village and a building for an Integrated Development Centre (IDC),which will house offices of the local panchayat,a bank,a PDS shop and e-Kendra,at Digha village. The roads will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojna.

SAP,a brainchild of Ramesh,envisages all round development of Saranda by building 10 IDCs,13 roads and 21 camps for security forces.

Rameshs ministry and the Jharkhand government approved SAP soon after security forces drove out Maoists and regained control of Saranda.

The Centre,however,has not sanctioned any funds for the plan so far.