Thaindian News

Ranchi, Aug 15 (IANS) Jharkhand Governor M.O.H Farook on Independence Day Sunday assured the people that panchayat polls, which have not been held for 30 years in areas that now form the state, would be conducted at the earliest. He also urged the Maoists to shun violence.
“We have given a time frame to officials to hold panchayat polls as soon as possible as they have not taken place in the last three decades,” the governor said in his Independence Day speech here.

Farook also said that relief work would be expedited in drought-hit areas of Jharkhand, which has been under President’s Rule since June 1.

“Directives have been issued to officials to expedite relief work in drought-hit districts,” he said.

“This year, the monsoon has not been encouraging and we are monitoring the situation. We assure all possible help to farmers and people of the state in drought-hit districts. Due to a poor monsoon, we have already declared 16 of the 24 districts as drought-hit,” the governor said.

Farook, who unfurled the tricolour at Ranchi’s Morabadi ground, appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream of society.

“Naxals (Maoists) are the biggest challenge in the law and order and development of the state. Police forces are being modernized to deal with Maoists and we assure development in remote areas so that Maoists do not mislead the youth,” Farook said.