Modi promises J'khand makeover

Promising to make Jharkhand the number one state in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the government would rein in all the looters of minerals and benefit the state to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore in the next few years.

He said the ongoing Assembly election in Jharkhand will decide the future of the mineral-rich state, and appealed to the people of Jharkhand not to treat it as an ordinary poll.

Likening the tribal state, formed in 2000, to children in the age group of 13-14 years ,who grow up slowly but mature fast between the ages of 13-18 yrs, he said Jharkhand too has entered the stage where it will take off fast and promised to help it grow and become the number one state of the country if BJP was voted to power.

“This election will decide the fate of the state and help it move on the path of development, if you vote for a majority government.

“Jharkhand has enough power in terms of its mineral deposits and can lead the country but unfortunately, the state was looted since its creation 14 years ago,” he said.

Highlighting the coal policy framed by the NDA government, the prime minister said it “would rein in all the looters of minerals and benefit Jharkhand to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore in the next few years”.

Accusing the Congress of failing to mend its ways despite the debacle it suffered in the parliamentary poll, Modi said why should the people of the country vote for it when it was not ready to change.

Later at Ranchi, Modi took yet another swipe at the Congress saying the party, which was rejected even for the post of Leader of Opposition in Parliament, is now spreading “lies” among tribals that their land would be snatched away.