Page 14 - Jharkhand

Coal scam: Delhi court awards jail terms to 4 accused persons, imposes fine

A Delhi court on Monday awarded jail terms to four persons accused in a case related to the alleged scam in allocation of two coal blocks in Jharkhand. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj awarded a three-year jail term to Rungta Project Ltd's former managing director R S Rungta, Sanjay Rungta and T M Achyutan, and a two-year jail term to Shambhu Nath. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the company and R S Rungta each, while Sanjay Rungta and Achuthan were directed to pay a fine of Rs 40 lakh each. The judge further directed Nath to pay a fine of Rs 20 lakh. The case relates to the allocation of Hutar Sector C and Hurilong coal blocks situated in Jharkhand during the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. The CBI alleged that false information in respect of capacity, land and the likes was given to the Ministry of Coal. The probe agency was represented by advocates Narender Pratap Srivastava, Sanjay Kumar, A P Singh, and Tarannum Cheema.

Foundation stone laid of Rs 732 cr coal handling projects in Jharkhand

The two plants will be an important step towards first-mile rail connectivity under which arrangements will be made to take the coal produced from the mines to the nearest railway circuit

JMM-led govt 'patronising' infiltration, BJP to implement NRC: Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday accused the JMM-led government of "patronising" Bangladeshi infiltrators and said that BJP would implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state if voted to power. He claimed that Jharkhand was in danger and 'mati' (land), 'beti' (daughter) and 'roti' (bread) were insecure. "The BJP is not concerned about coming to power only. Jharkhand is in danger today, 'maati', 'beti', 'roti' are insecure. It is our pledge to protect them," the Union Agriculture minister said at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport while leaving for Delhi. Chouhan, who is also election in-charge for Jharkhand, alleged there has been infiltration from foreign land and Hemant Soren-led government patronising them by making their Aadhaar and voter identity cards. "Infiltrators are coming to Jharkhand, marrying daughters here, purchasing land and increasing their influence in local bodies. This is very dangerous and it is ruining Jharkhand," he said. Asserting to s

Champai Soren hospitalised following blood sugar-related complications

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren was hospitalised following blood sugar-related complications, an official said on Sunday. He was admitted to the Tata Main Hospital in Jamshedpur around 9 pm on Saturday. He was admitted to the hospital after his blood sugar dipped and he felt dizzy, a close aide of the former CM said. Tata Main Hospital GM Dr Sudhir Rai told PTI that Soren's condition was stable and improving. Soren, 67, joined the BJP in August, alleging "disrespect" and "humiliation" in the JMM. He was appointed the chief minister on February 2, following Hemant Soren's resignation and subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. He left the post on July 3, clearing the way for Hemant Soren's return to the chair after being granted bail.

Birla's Hindalco, Jindal's JSW Steel in race for copper mines in Jharkhand

Aditya Birla Group firm Hindalco Industries and Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel are in the race for two copper mines in Jharkhand which will be put on sale this month, sources said. Both mines have a combined capacity of three million tonne per annum. Hindalco Industries and JSW Steel will be vying for state-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd's two copper mines in Jharkhand, sources said. The auction of both the mines is likely to take place in the month of October. While one of these blocks is virgin, the other one is closed for the past 20 years. Hindustan Copper had earlier invited applications for appointment of mine developer-cum-operator (MDO) for re-opening and expansion of Rakha Copper Mine and development and operations of underground Mine at Chapri. Hindustan Copper had said in its recent report that Rakha Mining Lease expired in 2021 and extension of mining lease period is under progress with the Jharkhand government. Further, the application for grant of stage one forest clearanc

500k jobs, monetary help for women: BJP's initial Jharkhand manifesto

The BJP on Saturday released five key points of its manifesto for the assembly polls in Jharkhand, promising financial assistance of Rs 2,100 to women every month, five lakh jobs to youths and housing for all if the party came to power. Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi released the Panch Pran' (five vows) here in the presence of Union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Annapurna Devi and Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Assembly polls are due in the eastern state later this year. The saffron party will release another 25 key points of its manifesto to underline 25 years of Jharkhand's formation and finally a 150-point document, marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. Jharkhand was created on November 15, 2000, which also happens to be the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. Elaborating on the Panch Pran', Marandi said households in the state will be able to purchase LPG gas cylinders at Rs 500. Besides, two cylinders would be provided free of co

Jharkhand SPKSY initiative to boost girls' education, combat early marriage

Adolescent girls, particularly those from weaker sections of society, are receiving support from Jharkhand government's financial assistance scheme to pursue their educational dreams, an official said. According to him, Savitribai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana (SPKSY), launched by the Hemant Soren-led government, has been instrumental in discouraging early child marriage, reducing school dropouts, and encouraging girls to seek higher education. Laxman Hajam, a parent, said the scheme has ensured that financial constraints would no longer hinder his daughter's dream of becoming a doctor. "Now, she can continue her education," said Hajam, whose daughter is in class 10. The SPKSY provides scholarships totaling Rs 40,000, distributed in six installments, to facilitate the education of adolescent girls and promote women's empowerment and gender justice. Girls studying in classes 8 to 12 receive Rs 20,000 in five installments, with a one-time scholarship of Rs 20,000 available when ...

PM Modi unveils development projects worth Rs 83,700 cr from Jharkhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled development projects worth over Rs 83,700 crore from Jharkhand. He launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which will be implemented at a cost of Rs 79,150 crore, aimed at ensuring comprehensive and holistic development for tribal communities across the country. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the project will benefit more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts across 30 states and Union Territories. The scheme seeks to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions implemented by 17 central ministries and departments. Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple projects under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), valued at over Rs 1,360 crore. These include the construction of more than 1,380 km of roads, 120 anganwadi centres , 250 multi-purpose centres, and 10 school hostels. Additionall

Hindu, Adivasi population declining, JMM doing vote-bank politics: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cautioned that the population of Hindus and Adivasis in Jharkhand is declining and accused the JMM-led coalition government of engaging in dangerous "vote bank politics" by supporting infiltrators at the expense of the state's identity, culture, and heritage. He asserted that it was time to "throw such forces out" to protect "mati, beti, roti" (land, daughter, bread). "The time is ripe for 'Parivartan' in Jharkhand to safeguard 'beti, mati, roti' and combat corruption. The JMM-led coalition is playing a dangerous game, jeopardising the identity, culture, and traditions of the people while patronising infiltrators," Modi said during the concluding programme of the BJP's Parivartan Yatra, which covered approximately 5,400 km across all 81 assembly segments. Modi criticised the coalition for being insensitive, citing the deaths of several aspirants during recruitment drives for excise constables. This visit marks Modi's second trip to Jharkhan

PM Modi to to launch developmental projects during visit to Jharkhand today

It will benefit more than 5 crore tribals in 549 districts across 30 states and UTs, the statement said

BJP to contest Jharkhand polls in alliance with AJSU Party, JD(U): Himanta

The BJP will contest the upcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand in alliance with NDA partners AJSU Party and Janata Dal (United), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday. Sarma, who is the BJP's Jharkhand election co in-charge, said that the seat-sharing agreement with the allies is in the final stage. "The BJP will contest the Jharkhand elections in alliance with AJSU Party and JD(U). The seat-sharing agreement with the allies has been done on 99 per cent of the seats. Discussions are underway for the remaining one or two seats and it will be finalised soon," he said while speaking to reporters in Ranchi. Sarma said that a formal announcement in this regard will be made after 'Pitri Paksha', which ends on October 2. Elections to the 81-member assembly in Jharkhand are due later this year.

Key points of BJP's J'khand manifesto to be released from Oct 3: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the BJP would start releasing the key points of its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand from October 3. Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly are due later this year, and the dates are expected to be announced next month. "We will start releasing the key points of our manifesto from October 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his address at the concluding rally of the BJP's Parivartan Yatra in Hazaribag on October 2," he told reporters on Friday after reviewing the preparedness for it. The BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra', launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to cover 5,400 km across 81 assembly segments in 24 districts of the state before concluding on October 2. Sarma, who is the BJP co in-charge for Jharkhand elections, also attacked the JMM-led coalition for "patronising" infiltrators, stating his party would drive them out after coming to power in the state.

Massive corruption in Jharkhand, nothing moves without money: Shivraj

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday accused the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand of misusing central funds sent to the state for various schemes and said that a probe will be launched into MGNREGA fund utilisation. The Union Agriculture Minister launched a frontal attack on the JMM-led dispensation, calling it a "paper leak government" and accused it of playing with the future of the youth. "There is massive corruption in Jharkhand, nothing moves here without money. Central funds meant for various schemes were grossly misused by the Hemant Soren-led government. We will initiate a thorough probe into the irregularities in MGNREGA," Singh said while addressing BJP's 'Parivartan Rally' in Latehar. People will never forgive the JMM-led coalition for its misrule, he said, urging voters to oust the "corrupt" government in the elections to the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly due later this year. "Sixteen youth died during an excise police recruitment drive due to ...

Hemant Soren rolls out Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for farmers before state polls

The loan waiver is estimated to benefit 176,977 farmers in Jharkhand and cost the state exchequer over Rs 400 crore

Jharkhand CM writes to PM, says uncleared Rs 1.36 trn dues affecting state

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that coal companies did not clear the Rs 1.36 lakh crore dues despite the Supreme Court's order on mining dues, causing irreparable loss to the state and its people. He demanded a direct debit of the amount from Coal India's account to the state of Jharkhand from the reserves in the Reserve Bank of India as was done in case of Jharkhand State Electricity Board dues to the DVC. "In spite of provisions in the law and judicial pronouncements... Coal Companies are not making any payment... These questions have been raised at various forums, including your kind office, Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog. But till now this compensation (Rs 1.36 lakh crore) has not yet been paid. "The State of Jharkhand is an under-developed state and there are lots of social economic development projects which are getting hampered due to non-payment of our justifiable demands," Soren wrote in the letter to ...

Ex-CM Champai claims J'khand govt withdrew security vehicles, police deny

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, who joined the BJP last month, on Wednesday accused the Hemant Soren government in the state of putting his life at risk by withdrawing all security vehicles assigned to him. The former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader alleged that withdrawing his security vehicles was a political conspiracy. The state police, however, rejected the charge saying that five vehicles are still engaged with the security of the former chief minister who also enjoys the services of 63 police personnel. "The Jharkhand government withdrew all security vehicles assigned to me, putting my life at risk, under a political conspiracy. I am not afraid of this move. The people of Jharkhand would provide security to me," Champai Soren told PTI. He asserted that he never compromised with his values and people will give a befitting reply to the JMM-led coalition in the assembly polls due later this year. Asked about Chief Minister Hemant Soren's remarks that the BJP

Centre meted out injustice to J'khand; forces trying to grab power: Kalpana

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Kalpana Soren on Wednesday launched a frontal attack on the Centre accusing it of meting out injustice to the state by extorting its mines and minerals at the expense of poor tribals. She also criticised the BJP "for going to any extent to grab power", warning that they would be ousted from the state. Soren challenged the saffron party to bring in chief ministers and leaders from other states to propagate their agenda, specifically mentioning Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. "The Centre has always meted out injustice to Jharkhand. It eyes only its mines and minerals and indulges in resource extortion. It owes us a massive Rs 1.36 lakh crore for coal," she said during the 'Maiya Samman Yatra.' Soren highlighted that BJP leaders are actively campaigning in the state while the Centre covets its mineral wealth. "We will give a befitting reply to them," she added. She claimed that as elections approach,

178K PVTGs in J'khand electoral roll, focus on inclusive polls: Official

Jharkhand, which is gearing up for elections to the 81-member assembly, has 100 per cent enrolment of voters belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in the electoral roll, a top EC official. Altogether 2.59 crore electors are registered in the state where the tenure of the assembly is due to expire on January 5, 2025. "There is 100 per cent enrolment of 1.78 lakh voters belonging to eight PVTGs in the electoral roll. With a focus on inclusive and participative elections, all officials were directed to enhance participation of PVTGs and tribal groups in the elections," Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar said. The second Special Summary Revision (SSR) in the state, with respect to July 1, 2024 as the qualifying date, has been completed and the electoral roll was published on August 27, he said, adding that copies of the same were provided to political parties. As of September 20, a total of 2.59 crore electors are registered in the state with about 1.28

Mamata govt not providing land to secure B'desh border, alleges Suvendu

Asserting that Bangladeshi infiltrators are a major concern for Jharkhand, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday accused Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal which shares a border with the neighbouring country, of not providing land to BSF for fencing work due to her "appeasement politics". Adhikari, the leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly, arrived in Jharkhand earlier in the day to take part in the BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra' in Dhanbad district. "There are 72 places in West Bengal where the Mamata Banerjee government did not provide land to the Border Security Force (BSF) to complete fencing along the international boundary with Bangladesh. The Ministry of Home Affairs had urged Mamata Banerjee to provide land but she didn't give plots only for vote bank and appeasement politics," Adhikari told reporters in Bokaro. He claimed that the Bangladeshi infiltrators were "entering West Bengal through the unfenced areas and their population rose to 35 per cent in

ECI delegation meets govt officials to review poll preparedness in J'khand

The state is likely to witness elections to the 81-member Jharkhand legislative assembly on or before December 2024 as the tenure of the current government is set to end in January 2025