Updated on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 00:00 IST

Ranchi, Aug 27: Stating that education and employment oppurtunities could help check the problem of extremism, which is not only a law and order or social problem, new Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren said today.

Soren's priorities and proposals contained in a prepared six-page handout was read out by cabinet secretary P K Jajoria to newsmen as he did not address the customary press conference after his swearing-in.

Soren in his handout said the government would initiate steps to mitigate Naxalism and asked district officials to provide good and effective governance.

He said, strengthening the public distribution system would be his top prioirity. ''I know PDS shoppers have been retaining BPL cards from the poor and selling rice, wheat and kerosene in the black market. I will make surprise checks and those ration shoppers found guilty would be sent to jail.''

Reffering to the labour force in the tribal state, Soren said he was aware that most of them were being deprived of their full wages given under NREGA and asked officials responsible for implementing the central programme to put an end to the irregularities 'within 15 days or face arrest'.

Asking government officials not to delay welfare projects meant for the common people, he said Jharkhand had been lagging behind in the implementation of Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

''I would like to warn the engineers and officials to pull up their socks and put Jharkhand in front in the implementation of PMGSY,'' he added.

Welcoming investments in the energy sector, Soren said his government would be glad to encourage investors interested in the state.

He asked the officials to devise alternative employment for 'Haria' (rice bear) sellers to discourage them from selling the local brew.

They should be given alternative sustenance like poultry business, he said.

He also asked the officials to work on providing adequate drinking water, electricity, early holding of panchayat elections and health facilities.

He also stressed strict implementation of forest law in the state.

Bureau Report