National and Jharkhand Election Watch Presents Nagrik Charter on 1st of November At the an Civil Society and Political Parties Interface

Jharkhand at a Glance

Jharkhand spreads tantalizingly over Chotanagpur plateau and Santhal Pargana. It is a land endowed with rare natural gifts. This homeland of tribal is full of stunning landscapes, majestic mountains, verdant valleys, serpentine rivers, wonderful waterfalls, lush green forests and exotic wildlife.

Jharkhand was created as the 28th state of the Indian Union with effect from 15th November 200O. The 28th state of the Indian Union was brought into existence by the Bihar reorganization Act on November 15, 2000 - the birth anniversary of the legendary Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The state is inhabited by colorful tribal and village folk. The main tribes include Baiga, Bhatudih, Bedia, Bhimiz, Binjhiya, chero,chick badaik,Gond,Gorail,Ho,Karmali,Khariya,Kharwar,Khand,Kisan, Kora, Lohra, Mahil, Uraon, Santhal. The minor tribes include Asur, Birhor, Virajiya, Pahariya, and Mal Pahariya, Sauriya Pahariya, Hil Kharia, Sabar Korwa and Munda.

Jharkhand is famous for its rich mineral resources like Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Fieldspar, Coal (32% of India), Iron, Copper (25%of India) etc. Forests and woodlands occupy more than 29% of the state which is amongst the highest in India. Jharkhand's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $14 billion at current prices. Born out of partition from old Bihar state in 2000, Jharkhand produces about 70% of the output of the old Bihar state. Since it is rich in minerals.

Jharkhand's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $14 billion at current prices. Born out of partition from old Bihar state in 2000, Jharkhand produces about 70% of the output of the old Bihar state. Since it is rich in minerals, the state per capita income is likely to increase in the coming years.

Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the main sources of income for the people of the state . Jharkhand has afertile soil and abundant water for inrigation. The main agricultutal products are Maize, Bazra, Til oil , seeds , vegetables and fruits. There is also a lare scope of producing Jute, Hemp, Sisal and other fabrics to boost the state economy. There is also a large potntial of tea cultivation, floriculture and horticulture in the state for exports.

The requirements of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants are met by the local production of the state and these items are even exported to the deficient areas.

Favorable agro-climatic conditions allow round-the-year production of different varieties & "off-season" vegetable (such as brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, ladies-finger, onion, peas, potato, pumpkin, mushroom, capsicum and green chilly) and fruits (such as mango, leechi, guava, banana, papaya, lemon, hack fruit, amla and others).

The state is blessed with vast resources for establishing food processing units including those of fruit and vegetable preservation, milk and meat preservation and for processing of minor forest produce.

The economic development of Jharkhand state will be possible only if agricultural and rural development takes place on sustainable basis with capacity building being the focal point for the developmental endeavor.

For the purpose of agricultural development, special emphasis should be laid on technological aspects, ensuring new, cheap and timely availability of inputs. There is a scope for bringing additional area under cultivation through vertical and horizontal expansions, increasing area under irrigation, increasing production and productivity of food crops through optimum utilization of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural tools and implements.

Minerals

Jharkhand is the richest state in terms on mineral deposits. Jharkhand is famous for its rich mineral resources like Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Fieldspar, Coal (32% of India), Iron, Copper (25%of India) etc.. Over 41 % of the total minerals of the country are produced here. The state is the sole producer coking cola, uranium and pyrite. Jharkhand ranks first in the production of coal, Mica, Kyanite and Copper in India. Important minerals which are essential for the growth of the industries are found here. The geological exploration and exploitation of gold, silver, base, metals, precious, stones are the potential areas of future.

Jharkhand has a concentration of some of the country’s highly industrialized cities such as Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Bokaro Steel City and Dhanbad. It also has several firsts in India, including:
• Largest fertilizer factory of its time in India (since shut down) at Sindri
• First Iron & steel factory at Jamshedpur
• Largest Steel plant in Asia, Bokaro steel plant,Bokaro.
• Biggest explosives factory at Gomia, Bokaro.
• First methane gas well at Parbatpur, Bokaro.

Health

On account of salubrious climate, Jharkhand, particularly its capital Ranchi, has been like a health resort. As far back as 1918, facilities were set up for treatment of mentally challenged – Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.
In certain areas of Jharkhand, poverty and consequently under nutrition, has given rise to diseases like tuberculosis (TB). In fact, TB has assumed epidemic proportions in certain areas of the state. For management and treatment of such diseases, organizations like Ramakrishna Mission through Ramakrishna Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium (set up in 1948), Ranchi, has been doing exemplary work, and supplementing the efforts of the Government and other agencies. Likewise, in the field of treatment of cancer, Tata Memorial Hospital, Jamshedpur,[5] is rendering pioneering work. the same way Bokaro General Hospital equipped with modern facilities for the treatment Cancer and heart related problems with capacity of 1100 beds one of the largest in eastern India.

Fluoride in groundwater presents a public health problem in Jharkhand. A recent survey led by the Birla Institue of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi in collaboration with UNICEF in the northwest districts of Palamau and Garhwa found fluoride levels above the drinking WHO drinking water guidelines . Fluoride in drinking water leads to dental fluorosis, prevalent bone fractures, and skeletal fluorosis, an irreversible disabling condition. Some work has focused on combating fluorosis through increased calcium intake by consuming local plants. Researchers at Princeton University and the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi are currently investigating defluoridation options, while performing an epidemiological survey to assess the extent of fluoride linked health problems and the impact of future interventions.


Although several public and private health facilities are available in the state, overall infrastructure for dispensing health related services require improvements.

Education

The literacy rate in Jharkhand is only 54.13% (2001) and female literacy rate is still lower at 39.38%.

Jharkhand has a network of government and privately run schools, although standard of teaching considerably vary, from place to place, as also from school to school.
After 10 years of schooling, students can join 2 years of Intermediate course (or +2 courses) in Arts, Science and Commerce. This is followed by 3 years of degree courses. A number of non-technical colleges are located in bigger cities as well as in small towns. Some students choose to join 3 years diploma courses offered by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Jharkhand has 7 Universities: Ranchi University, Ranchi; Sidhhu Kanhu University, Dumka; Binova Bhave University, Hazaribagh; Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi; Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur and Indian School Of Mines(ISM Dhanbad-Deemed University). There are three medical colleges in Jharkhand namely Rajendra Institute Of Medical Sciences(RIMS) at Ranchi, M.G.M. Medical College Jamshedpur and Patliputra Medical College And Hospital(PMCH) at Dhanbad. The famous b-school Xavier Labour Relations Institute(XLRI) is at Jamshedpur. It's PMIR programme is regarded best in the entire Asia-Pacific region. As the institutions of higher studies fall short of state's requirement, many students, after completing schooling in the state, move away to places like New Delhi, Karnataka and several other locations for higher technical and non-technical studies.

However a lot of work still needs to be done to incorporate the vulnerable and the marginalized. As per Census 2001, although the overall literacy rate among the Scheduled tribes the overall literacy rate has increased from 27.5 per cent at 1991 census to 40.7 percent at 2001 census, the literacy rate among the tribes is much below the comparison to that of all scheduled Tribes at the national level(41.7%). Like the all over literacy rate among the STs, male and female literacy rates (54 per cent and 27.2 per cent) are also considerable lower than those at the national level(59.2 and 34.8 per cent)

Among the numerically larger tribes, Oraon and Kharia have more than half of the population in the age of seven (7) years and above are literates while Munda have the literacy rate almost equal to that of all STS at the national level. Remaining five larger tribal groups have shown the overall literacy lower than that of the national average.


Among the total tribal literates, 33.6 per cent are either without any education level or have attained education below the poverty level. The proportions of literates who have attained education up to primary level and middle level are 28.6 per cent & 17.7 per cent. Respectively. Person educated up to matric/secondary/higher secondary constitute 16.5 per cent. This implies that every 6th tribal literate is a matriculate. Graduates and above are 3.5 per cent while technical and non technical diploma holders constitute a negligible 0.1 per cent only


Political history and the way forward

Jharkhand has been at the centre of interest right from early days of the states creation, following its breakaway from Bihar in 2000. Politics in Jharkhand has an old history. It has been the site of many tribal revolutions right from the British days and it was similar kind of insurgence that led to creation of the independent state of Jharkhand. However, modern Jharkhand politics feature an electoral system divided between the assembly and parliamentary constituencies of the state her many political parties compete for power. In fact, Jharkhand politics feature a number of political parties virtually unmatched by any other state.

Since its inception, Jharkhand has witnessed two Vidhan Sabha elections and it also witnessed experiences the functioning of National Election watch, Jharkhand Election Watch in the last 8 years to ensure a fair and transparent electoral political process. National Election Watch is a nation wide campaign of more than 1200 NGO and other citizen led Government Organizations working on political and electoral reforms to ensure a democratic election process.

It is matter of great pride that the third Vidhan Sabha election is just around the and hopefully this election will enable us to ensure a system of parliamentary democracy in Jharkhand

In this perspective, National election watch in this present all party meeting –interface between Society and Political Parties supported by Jharkhand Election Watch and civil societies , the peoples manifesto, which is a comprehensive draft highlighting issues and policies which should receive special attention from political parties.



Peoples Manifesto
2009

A step towards fair and transparent Electoral Process

Commitment towards millennium development Goals

Poverty

• Jharkhand is a rich state inhabited by poor people, suffering from starvation, poverty amidst natures bounties and blessing
• Poverty creates an environment which hits the children hardest and is damaging to children’s development in every way – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.
• With the millennium development goal(to which India is committed) of eradicating extreme Poverty and Hunger only six years away(2015) it should be one of the priorities of all the political parties.

Education

• The reports of 1991 census conforms that total tribal literates are without any education level or have attained education up to primary and middle level. Moreover, the proportion on tribal literates decline sharply in higher level of education as the percentage of students after matriculation drops down t almost one third in higher secondary level
• The literacy rate in Jharkhand is only 54.13% (2001) and female literacy rate is still lower at 39.38%.
• With the millennium development goal(to which India is committed) of achieving universal education- six years away(2015) it should be one of the priorities of all the political parties.

Gender Equality


• According to the latest report of United Nations population fund around two third of the married women in India are victims of domestic violence and nearly 70 per cent of women in India between the age of 15 and 49 are victims of domestic violence
• The consequences of gender based violence are devastating , including life- long emotional distress, mental health issues and poor reproductive health
• Besides this, the effect might extend to future generation as children who see violence often suffer a lasting psychological damage
• Keeping in mind the millennium development goal(to which India is committed) of achieving Gender equality just six years away(2015) it should be one of the priorities of all the political parties

Child health

• The problem malnutrition and infant morality rate is chronic in Jharkhand due to extreme poverty
• The Child morality rate is 92 per thousand with Rural child morality rate as 93.2 per thousand and Urban child morality rate as 63.7 per thousand as per 1991 Census
• With the millennium development goals(to which India is committed)of reducing child morality just six years away(2015) it should be one of the priorities of all the political parties

Maternal Health

• The Health condition of the tribal communities in the past have been vulnerable due to widespread poverty, Illiteracy and malnutrition
• The social and economic discrimination towards women has given rise to Maternal morality ratio
• There is an urgent need to improve health outcomes for mothers with the millennium development goal(to which India is committed) of reducing maternal morality rate by 2015 is to be attained

Combat HIV/ AIDS

• According to an estimate of Aids Control Society the number of HIV positive cases has almost been doubled in the last one year in Jharkhand
• The maximum number of HIV positive cases have been found in six districts of the state – Ranchi, Jamshedpur,Girdih, Hazaribagh, Garwah and Sahebganj
• Jharkhand has also witnessed a sudden increase in cases of Malaria this year, especially during the monsoon
• In order to achieve the millennium development goals of Achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS and halt the progress of HIV, Malaria and other major diseases by 2015 it is imperative tat sustained efforts should be initiated at the state level as well

Environmental Sustainability

• Achieving environmental sustainability requires managing and protecting eco – system to maintain both their economically productive and their ecological functions, maintaining the diversity of life in both human –managed and natural system and protecting the environment from pollution to maintain the quality of land, air and water
• Due to extensive Coal mining and vigorous growth of Industries in Jharkhand water resources have been badly contaminated
• Besides mining, coal based industries like coal washeries, coke, oven plants , coal fired thermal power plants, steel plants and other related industries in the region pose a threat of environmental degradation
• With the millennium development goals(to which India is committed)of ensuring economic sustainability just six years away(2015) it should be one of the priorities of all the political parties

Displacement

Displacement is the forcing of communities and Individuals out of their homes, often also their homeland for the purposes of economic development. Development induced displacement or Migration in the name of development is affecting more and more people as countries are moving from developing to developed nations. In terms of the development induced displacement in Jharkhand following points are relevant
• Acquiring land for development projects without providing for resettlement violates the basic rights of the tribal people, displacing the tribal people without providing for their resettlement deprives them of their basic right of occupation of their land which results in several problems like deprivation of their means of livelihood, migration to other places in search of work and living in poor conditions there, all of this just goes to show that displacement worsens the current position of the people
• The need to provide special protection to the tribal should be recognized, through enactment of an Rehabilitation Act which not only focuses on the future displacement but also addresses the anomalies of the previous Rehabilitation policy

Decentralization/Accountability and Transparency

In its democratic political aspect, decentralization is currently conceived and increasingly practiced in the international development community has two principal components
• Participation
• Transparency and Accountability

On the one hand participation is chiefly concerned with the increasing the role of citizens in choosing their local leaders what to do- in other words providing inputs to local governance, Accountability on other hand can be seen as the validation of participation, in that the test of whether attempts to increase participation prove successful to the extent to which people can use participation to hold a local government responsible for its action. In terms of the decentralization, accountability and transparency of policies and programmes in Jharkhand following points are relevant

Decentralization
• Panchayat Chunav Avilamb Ho
• Muncipal Chunav Ho
• Mahilao ko 50% reservation
• Traditional governance system should be strengthened and empowered
• Model Nagar palika Act Jharkhand mein Lago ho

Accountability and Transparency

• Political parties will commit towards accountability and transparency of all polices and programmes
• This commitment will comprise of administrative reforms
• The commitment includes both the responsibilities and the obligations of the ruling as well as the opposition party
• The commitment must include minimum standards that should be easily measurable. For instance – each disabled/Child is entitled to certain level of calories.