After a gap of about two decades, Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today unfurled the national tri-colour on Republic Day at Saranda, which was liberated from Maoists last year.

Hoisting the national flag at the Digha Primary School premises Ramesh regretted the tardy pace of the Saranda Development plan.

Referring to the prevailing political situation in Jharkhand, he said President's Rule was not an alternative to a popular elected government, which was needed to achieve rapid growth.

The union minister also inaugurated a PCC road constructed under the Integrated Development plan and handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh for completion of the Panchayat Bhawan.

Ramesh had earlier visited villages in Saranda thrice in the past to review to implementation of the Saranda Development Action plan.

Earlier, 56 villages in Saranda forest, Asia’s largest sal forest once a stronghold of the Maoists, was liberated by security forces.

Ramesh advocated a greater central role in construction of infrastructure in contiguous areas of Maoist-affected states claiming that centrally-funded work under state governments was 'slow' and that it should be speeded up.

"Approximately 25 per cent of Saranda forest falls in Odisha and the rest in Jharkhand, which makes it all the more important for a central role in building infrastructure on the basis of inter-state rather than within the state," he said.

"Now roads, bridges and other infrastructural development are being taken up within the state. What I prefer is the role of the central government in building inter-state roads and bridges," the minister said.

"My next priority is to provide electricity in remote areas near the Saranda forest, besides constructing more roads and bridges," he said.

"I will also work on providing drinking water through pipes and construction of toilets at every home in tribal hamlets," Ramesh added.