Ranchi: In a major policy decision, the Jharkhand government on Wednesday decided to revamp various boards and corporations before the Budget Session which begins March 5.

The decision followed a high-level meeting of Chief minister Shibu Soren with his Deputies, Raghubar Das and Sudesh Mahato. There are more than 40 Boards, Corporations and Commissions, which are headed by political nominees.

Apart from enjoying the status of a Minister of State, the Chairmen of these bodies have a major role in realisation of revenue for the state.

Talking to the iGovernment Chief Minster's Media Advisor, Safiq Ansari confirmed the government’s plan to sack the Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, who are continuing after their appointments during the previous regimes.

"At the meeting, it was also decided to launch the process of revamping various boards and corporations, which are rudderless," he said.

The decision to revamp these bodies, which have considerable power to regulate the functioning of different sectors including town planning, industrial development, mineral activities and otheres, is apparently prompted by the growing dissension within the ruling coalition partners including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU).

Several key-institutions like the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC), State Pollution Control Board, Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA), Tenughat Vidyut Nigam (TVNL), Ranchi Industrial Area Development Authorities (RIADA), Bokaro Industrial Area Development Authorities (BIADA), Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authorities (AIADA) are functioning without Chairmen for the last several years.

With regard to the commissions, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, State Women Commission, Minority Commission and the State Information Commission, the Chief Minister has directed the concerned departments to explore the scope for removing their heads who were appointed during the UPA-led coalition Government.

Deputy CM Sudesh Mahato, however, sought to play down the political concerns behind the process of revamping of Boards and Corporations and said that proper functioning of these vital organs was a must for the government to ensure equated growth of the state in all sectors.