The Centre owes Rs 1.36 lakh crore to Jharkhand on account of coal that is mined from the state, Chief Minister Hemant Soren claimed on Friday. Addressing a public meeting here, he alleged that when asked about this money, the Centre resorts to tactics for evading it. "Coal is extracted from Jharkhand and on account of it, Rs 1.36 lakh crore is outstanding with the Centre. When asked about the outstanding amount, it evades with one reason or the other. Those who have ruled the state for 20 years never asked for this amount or the rights of the state. This money belongs to the people of Jharkhand," he said. Soren alleged that the Centre has stopped providing funds for housing for the poor, and natural disasters such as drought. "Today, we are building this state on our own. One has to fight for one's rights. Sometimes long movements have to be made for this. For this, we have to unite. We will fight this battle of ours together and will retain our rights," he said. Sharpening his .
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said the INDIA alliance hopes to win 13 of the 14 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the state. He said his party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), stood strongly behind the INDIA alliance formed with a view to preventing division of anti-BJP votes in the parliamentary elections next year. "We (INDIA bloc) have started preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. We hope to win 13 of the 14 seats in the state," Soren said on Thursday. In 2019, the BJP-AJSU Party alliance had won 12 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while the Congress and the JMM bagged one each. The JMM executive president claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be defeated in the assembly elections in five states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. The CM alleged that the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi made false promises to people and they would show it the exit door in the next Lok Sabha polls. He
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday said that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) will not be allowed to build the proposed hydel pumped storage project at Lugu Buru Pahad, one of the significant religious sites of the Santhali tribe, in Jharkhand's Bokaro district. Addressing the 23rd International Santhal Sarna Dharma Mahasammelan, Soren said till he is the chief minister of the state, the hydel project will not be allowed at Lugu Buru Pahad or hills. The tribal community has been protesting against the project, threatening a state-wide agitation. The state's Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) on November 17 had also recommended against the project as the area is considered to be a religious site by the Santhalis. "Work will be undertaken to preserve the Lugu Buru Pahad," Soren said, adding that tribals are worshippers of nature. "They have been keeping the mountains green. The history of Lugu Buru has to be preserved," he said. He also performed rituals at Punay Than, the sanctu
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formulate special schemes for tribals, including those displaced for exploiting mineral resources of the state. Addressing a public meeting in the presence of the PM in Khunti district, Soren said historians have failed to give tribal the place they deserve in history. "We are hopeful that the target of development by you will prove to be a milestone for tribals. Jharkhand has huge mineral resources... Tribals have been displaced for exploiting resources, and we urge you to bring special schemes for the tribals," he told the prime minister. "Historians have failed to give tribals the place they deserve in history. If we fail to protect primitive tribes, they will be extinct. I represent a tribal state. We have tried to reach government schemes to the last person in the state," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Jharkhand, will visit tribal icon Birsa Munda's birthplace in Khunti district on Wednesday and unveil a government scheme worth Rs 24,000 crore for the development of vulnerable tribal groups. The PM will first visit the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park-cum-Freedom Fighter Museum in state capital Ranchi, and then fly to Khunti district where he will pay homage to the icon at his birthplace Ulihatu village and participate in a programme, marking the third 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'. Modi will launch the Rs 24,000-crore project aimed at the development of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from there. He will also launch the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', release the 15th installment of Rs 18,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme, and inaugurate and lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in the state. "I have reached Ranchi after memorable rallies and road shows in Madhya Pradesh. Tomorrow, 15th ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to Jharkhand on Tuesday, during which he will undertake a roadshow and launch several projects. The PM will arrive at Birsa Munda Airport in the evening, where Governor C P Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will welcome him. From there, Modi will undertake a 10-km-long roadshow till Raj Bhavan, officials said. On Wednesday, he will launch a Rs 24,000 crore project aimed at the development of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) on the occasion of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas', they said. Modi will also launch the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', release the 15th instalment of Rs 18,000 crore under PM KISAN scheme, and inaugurate and lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in the state. During the roadshow, BJP workers and leaders will greet him at 10 locations along the route, including Birsa Chowk, Harmu Chowk and Ratu Road roundabout, party office-bearers said. Security has been beefed up in v
The Jharkhand High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, challenging issuance of summons by the ED to him in a case of alleged money laundering. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and Justice Ananda Sen observed that the period of appearance in the summons has already lapsed and hence, there is no merit in the case. The Enforcement Directorate had sent summons to Soren to depose at the federal agency's office in Ranchi on August 14 and on a later date to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Soren had stated in his petition that the summons issued to him by the probe agency were unwarranted. The chief minister moved the high court after the Supreme Court refused to entertain his plea on the summons. A bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Bela M Trivedi, however, had granted him the liberty to approach the Jharkhand High Court for relief in the matter.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 484-crore mega lift irrigation project aimed at encouraging farming in the state. The project, expected to be completed in two-and-half years, would benefit around 1.11 lakh farmers across three assembly constituencies - Sarath, Madhupur and Jamtara, he said. Our government is committed to increase farmers' income. This project will encourage farming with robust irrigation facility, Soren said. It is the second such mega project to come up in Jharkhand, after the Masaliya' in Dumka. Similar lift irrigation initiatives will also be taken in Palamu, Giridih and Jamshedpur districts. I believe Jharkhand can progress only when its rural economy and farmers are strengthened, the chief minister said. Kisan Pathshalas' are being opened in every district, where farmers would be taught about new techniques of farming, he added. The project would help irrigate 13,164 hectares of land, and benefit 1.11 lakh fa
The Jharkhand cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to declare cancer and rabies as notifiable diseases, which will pave the way for a database for such ailments. State cabinet secretary Vandana Dadel said, With the declaration of cancer and rabies as notifiable diseases, private and state-run hospitals, which are treating patients of such diseases, will have to inform the government so that a database can be created. It would also help draft long-term policy in future." The council of ministers also gave its nod to the Mukhyamantri Panchayat Protsahan Yojana and Swachh and Swasthya Panchayat Protsahan Yojana, under which 24 best gram panchayats from over 4,300 such institutions in 24 districts would be selected and honoured with Rs 10 lakh each. Dadel said that five block panchayats from five divisions of Jharkhand would also be selected and would be given Rs 15 lakh each as a reward. Under Gram Sabha Protsaha Purashkar, Rs 4 lakh will be given to 48 gram sabhas. Besides, two zi
Talking to the reporters in Patna, Yadav said that after the arrest of Sanjay Singh, a fifth summon has been sent to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren
Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday said one has to face consequences for one's actions, referring to the mining lease case involving Chief Minister Hemant Soren. In an interview to PTI, Radhakrishnan also stressed on the need for stern action against organised crime and Naxalism in the state, expressing strong displeasure over the manner in which criminal gangs were operating from jail and security personnel were being killed by red rebels. He termed the criminal activities from prisons and the killing of security personnel by Naxals as 'worrisome and painful. The governor also asserted that "one should be ready to face the consequences for their actions", stating that "sensational issues cannot be addressed in haste" while talking about the illegal mining case involving Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Denying allegations of a partisan role by the chair, Radhakrishnan also made it clear that he is not against any reservation but as a custodian of the Constitution, he canno
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking recognition of the Sarna' religious code for tribals. Soren said the population of tribals in the state has declined to 26 per cent from 38 per cent in the last eight decades. "The concern of protecting the traditional religious existence of tribals... is certainly a serious question. Today, the demand for Tribal/Sarna Religious Code is being raised so that this nature-worshipping tribal community can be confident about its identity. "At present, when the demand for Uniform Civil Code is being raised by some organisations, positive initiative on this demand of Tribal/Sarna community is absolutely necessary for their protection," Soren said in the letter to Modi. Earlier, the Jharkhand Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution for inclusion of Sarna' as a separate religion in the census.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's plea against the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons in a case of alleged money laundering. A bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Bela M Trivedi granted Soren the liberty to approach the Jharkhand High Court for relief in the matter. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi claimed in the court that this is a complete case of a witch-hunt. "Mr Rohatgi, why don't you go to the high court? No no, go to the high court. We will permit you to withdraw," the bench said. The matter was dismissed as withdrawn. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the ED, submitted that the issue is covered by a large number of judgments. Soren has moved the apex court challenging the summons sent to him to depose at the federal agency's office in Ranchi on August 14 and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Earlier, Soren had skipped the ED's summons in an alleged defence
The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned to September 18 the hearing on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's plea against the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons in an alleged money laundering case. A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi deferred the matter after it was informed that senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi would appear in the matter for Soren. "I am requesting the matter be heard on Monday. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi is leading us," a junior counsel said. The bench agreed to the submission. Soren has moved the apex court challenging the summons sent to him to depose on August 14 at the federal agency's office in Ranchi and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Earlier, Soren had skipped the ED summons in an alleged defence land scam case citing pre-scheduled events. The 48-year-old Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was interrogated for over nine hours by the ED on November 17 last year in connection with another money launderin
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) summons against him in connection with a money laundering case
Tirkey alleged that Marandi had used derogatory remarks against Soren's family for his political benefits and that has hurt Soren's as well as the 'tribals' sentiments
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has asked officials to expedite the construction of 15,000 km of rural roads in the state without compromising the quality of work, a statement said on Thursday. During a meeting of the Road Construction Department on Wednesday, the chief minister was apprised of the fact that detailed project reports for 6,000 km, of the 15,000 km of rural roads to be built in the state, have been prepared, while approval has been given for construction of 3,000 km of roads. "The state has set a target to build 15,000 km of rural roads and we need to speed up construction. There should be no compromise on the quality of roads as it would not be tolerated," the CM told officials. They were also instructed to expedite the construction of roads, stuck due to delays in getting clearances from the forest and environment department. According to officials, no objection certificate from the forest department has been received for five projects, while clearance for ei
ED has asked the Jharkhand CM Soren to join its investigation in the alleged money laundering case on August 24
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Five people died after a portion of a well caved in at a village in Jharkhand's Ranchi district on Thursday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said. However, NDRF officials said the toll is still unknown as the rescue operation is underway. The incident took place in Piska village, around 70 km from state capital Ranchi. "My heart is pained by the sad news of the death of five people in a well in Piska village May God grant peace to the departed souls, and give strength to the bereaved family members to bear this difficult hour of grief," Soren posted on X (formerly Twitter). Meanwhile, personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said efforts are underway to rescue the five people trapped inside the well, and that the death toll is not immediately known. The incident happened in the afternoon after an animal fell into the well. In an attempt to rescue it, nine people went inside the well, and then a portion caved in, Ranchi SP (Rural) H B Jama said.