President of the Chotanagpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Sanjay Sheth told The Financial Express: "We have to just concentrate on 30 per cent of the naxal problem, as 70 per cent of the naxal problem is fuelled by Bihar and as soon as the links break it will die its own death." He added that out of the 81 MLAs (legislators) in the Jharkhand Assembly almost none have a mafia background. In case of Bihar MLAs with a mafia background can be found in abundance and money plays a major role in politics. Mr Sheth added, "Here in Jharkhand, the literacy rate is more that 53 per cent as compared to Bihar's 38 per cent. The only thing we have to concentrate on is to generate more employment opportunities to put the manpower on the right track." When asked whether the Chamber was prepared for the birth of the new state, the Chamber president said: "Good heavens, we got rid of Bihar. Bihar had frustrated us and the image of the state stooped to its lowest. Now, we can work. We only hope and expect that thenew government here is constructive." Concerns are being expressed particularly regarding sales tax, the industrial policy, single window system and the 1 per cent turnover tax (ToT).

Bihar has imposed one per cent ToT. Demanded to abolish this tax was cold shouldered by the RJD government in Bihar many a times despite the pressure being exerted by the traders and the various chambers. Amongst its major demands from the new government, which is to be sworn-in on the night of November 14 in Ranchi, the Chamber wants the state government to give industry status to the tourism sector in the new state. Also, the Chamber has already identified areas where hydro-electric projects could be undertaken. "We also want to participate in the policy making process and the government must show transparency. We also want the laws and procedures to be simple and the archaic laws completely abolished," said honarary secretary of the Chamber Rajesh Tekriwal. Demands for dry ports at Ranchi for marketing of vegetables, proper roads and adequate infrastructure and decentralisation of the secretariats into directorates in the different districts are some of the other demands that will be placed before the newgovernment presently.

What has perturbed the Chamber most is electricity supply, distribution and generation in Jharkhand which will continue to remain under the control of the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for at least two years from Nov 15.