Page 16 - Jharkhand

Adani seeks Md Yunus' assistance in getting $800 mn in payments cleared

Adani Power has been supplying electricity to Bangladesh since June last year from its 1.6 GW coal-based plant in Jharkhand's Godda via a dedicated transmission line

Jharkhand excise constable recruitment drive held for 'votes': Chouhan

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday accused the Hemant Soren-led government of holding the excise constable recruitment drive for "votes" that claimed 12 lives. Chouhan, who is also the BJP Jharkhand election in-charge, arrived in Ranchi on Sunday to take stock of preparations for the assembly polls, which are due later year. "Seeing the election, the CM, who had promised five lakh jobs and understood that it cannot be fulfilled, made the youths run for 10 km. This led to the death of 12 youths," the Union Agriculture minister told reporters at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport. Chouhan said that the 10-km run did not happen anywhere. "Without proper arrangements, the Hemant Soren government hatched a conspiracy to mislead the youth in the greed for votes, which took the lives of many youths," he said. Chouhan alleged Soren knew that recruitment cannot be done at this time, no matter how many interviews are conducted. He alleged, "This is not a mere accident but murders tha

CPI's D Raja accuses BJP of poaching leaders ahead of Jharkhand polls

CPI general secretary D Raja on Saturday accused the BJP of poaching leaders from other parties and raking up issues like infiltration to polarise people ahead of the assembly polls in Jharkhand. Raja arrived in Jharkhand earlier in the day to discuss the party's strategy for the assembly elections in the eastern state later this year. The BJP and its conservative allies are targeting ruling parties in Jharkhand. In order to cripple functioning, they poach leaders from ruling parties if possible. This is happening in Jharkhand, he told reporters here. On the issue of infiltration, if they are serious about it, the Union home minister should give an explanation to the country. Instead, they are targeting some states in order to create confusion and conflict among communities, Raja alleged. The saffron party has been making allegations of increased infiltration in Jharkhand, especially in the Santhal Parganas. The senior CPI leader also claimed that the BJP would face defeat in the

Jharkhand cabinet approves Rs 5 lakh medical insurance for lawyers

The Jharkhand cabinet has approved Rs 5 lakh medical insurance for lawyers in the state, a move which is likely to benefit about 30,000 lawyers in the state. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to increase the pension to advocates aged 65 years and above to Rs 14,000 per month from Rs 7,000 at present. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday. The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to provide a stipend of Rs 5,000 every month to newly enrolled advocates. An official statement said the approval was given to make a grant-in-aid of Rs 1.5 crore to Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Trustee Committee for the financial year 2024-25 for giving the amount of Rs 5,000. It added that approval was given to pay a grant of a total amount of Rs 9 crore to the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Trustee Committee in the financial year 2024-25 for providing the benefit of Jharkhand State Health Insurance Scheme provided to the state employees and

Jharkhand cabinet approves Rs 5 lakh medical insurance for lawyers

In a major decision, the Jharkhand cabinet on Friday approved Rs 5 lakh medical insurance for lawyers in the state, a move which is likely to benefit about 30,000 lawyers in the state. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to increase the pension to advocates aged 65 years and above to Rs 14,000 per month from Rs 7,000. The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The cabinet also gave a nod to a proposal to provide a stipend of Rs 5,000 every month to the newly enrolled advocates. An official statement said the approval was given to make a grant-in-aid of Rs 1.5 crore to Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Trustee Committee for the financial year 2024-25 for giving the amount of Rs 5,000. It added that approval was given to pay a grant of a total amount of Rs nine crore to the Jharkhand Advocate Welfare Fund Trustee Committee in the financial year 2024-25 for providing the benefit of Jharkhand State Health Insurance Scheme provided to the State ..

J'khand CM Soren meets Kharge, Rahul, assembly poll preparation discussed

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi here and discussed the upcoming assembly polls. The meeting comes days after former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren joined the BJP after resigning from the JMM citing dissatisfaction with the party's current style of functioning and "bitter humiliation". Soren met Kharge and Gandhi at the Congress president's residence here. Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal and Soren's wife Kalpana Soren were also present during the meeting. Though Soren termed the meeting as a courtesy call, preparations for the assembly polls later this year were learnt to have been discussed. Champai Soren was appointed 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 to resume offic

J'khand govt outreach programme generates 552K applications in 3 days

Over 5.52 lakh applications were generated in the first three days of the Jharkhand government's flagship outreach programme, an official said on Tuesday. Aimed at taking welfare schemes to the doorstep of people, the JMM-led government started the fourth leg of 'Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar' (your scheme, your government at your doorstep) on August 30. As of September 2, as many as 1,224 camps were organised across the state and a total of 5,52,836 applications were generated, according to an official statement. Of the total, 42,869 applications were disposed of, while 160 applications were rejected, it stated. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren posted on X, "Your scheme, your government at your doorstep is touching a new height every day." The programme will continue till September 15. Major demand for state government-sponsored housing scheme --Abua Awas Yojana--is evident in the camps. Altogether 2,93,657 applications were received for the scheme till Monday, wh

Recruitment drive deaths: J'khand halts physical tests, BJP to seek probe

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Monday said he has issued instructions to halt the excise constable recruitment drive for three days, even as his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted the BJP will urge the NHRC to probe into the deaths of some aspirants who appeared in the physical tests. Terming the deaths of the candidates as sad and heartbreaking, Soren said he has also asked for an immediate review of rules made by the previous government. The deaths have snowballed into a major controversy, with the BJP claiming that 15 candidates have so far lost their lives, while according to the Jharkhand Police, deaths of 12 aspirants have been reported thus far. The state's Health Minister Banna Gupta has put the figure at four. The physical tests for Jharkhand excise constable recruitment began on August 22 at seven centres in six districts, and was slated to continue till September 9. Soren also said a committee of health experts has been formed to ascertain the cause of

BJP counts on a Soren to woo tribal votes in Jharkhand Assembly polls

As Champai Soren's switching sides gives BJP leaders renewed hope ahead of Assembly polls, ruling party claims it will only consolidate Hemant's tribal support base, reports Aditi Phadnis

After former J'khand CM Champai Soren, ex-JMM MLA Lobin Hembrom joins BJP

A day after former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren joined the BJP, ex-JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom on Saturday crossed over to the saffron camp. Hembrom was given membership of the BJP by the party's state chief Babulal Marandi in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "The JMM has changed from what was it in Guruji's (JMM supremo Shibu Soren) time. Now, there is no respect for senior leaders in the JMM. So, I decided to join the BJP for development of Jharkhand and uplift of tribals," the former Borio legislator said at the saffron camp's state headquarters here. Hembrom was disqualified from the Jharkhand assembly under the anti-defection law with effect from July 26. The former legislator, who had been vocal against his own party, contested as an independent candidate from the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat, challenging JMM's nominee Vijay Hansdak. Hembrom tasted defeat in the parliamentary elections. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had initiated proceedings

Jharkhand Cabinet waives power dues of Rs 3,584 cr of 3.9 mn consumers

The Jharkhand government on Thursday said it has decided to waive Rs 3,584 crore in power dues for around 39.44 lakh consumers benefiting from the 200-unit free electricity scheme. The decision, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, aims to relieve financial burdens on domestic consumers enrolled under the Mukhyamantri Urja Khushali Yojana. Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel confirmed that the waiver applies to arrears accumulated by these consumers. "Following this cabinet approval, these consumers will no longer need to pay the arrear bills," Dadel said. The cabinet also approved additional measures, including an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh and a government job for the families of Agniveer soldiers from Jharkhand who die during duty or military operations. Other decisions include extending the remuneration period for anganwadi poshan sakhis and cooks from 10 to 12 months, with Rs 31.71 crore allocated for this purpose. The cabinet also approve

Jharkhand govt ropes private docs to address shortage in govt hospitals

To address shortage of doctors in state-run hospitals, the Jharkhand government has decided to rope in private doctors to provide treatment in facilities where there is a lack of specialists. This was announced by the government during distribution of appointment letters to 365 community health officers (CHOs) by Chief Minister Hemant Soren here at a function on Thursday. "The government is continuously working to enhance health infrastructure in the state. We have undertaken several initiatives in this regard and are developing a system so that residents do not need to seek treatment in other states," the Chief Minister said. "To tackle the shortage of specialist doctors, particularly in community health centres and district hospitals, the government has decided to allow private doctors to provide treatment in these facilities. They will be offered incentives for their services," said state health secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh. The CM also highlighted the recent launch of schemes aim

Champai Soren under own govt 'surveillance' for 5 months: Himanta Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday alleged that Jharkhand minister Champai Soren had been under 'surveillance' of his own government police for last five months. Two sub-inspectors (SIs) of Special Branch of Jharkhand Police were nabbed by Soren's people in a Delhi hotel while they were keeping watch on the ex-chief minister, Sarma said. "This is one of rarest case of surveillance in Indian politics, we will raise it at the highest levels," Sarma said at a press conference here. "As per the two SIs, orders to track Soren came from a 'person in Constitutional position' and the Special Branch chief," Sarma said. He said the two SIs were handed over to Delhi police, who are taking forward the investigation. The Assam CM said it is also suspected now that Soren's phones could be tapped and there might have been a plan to 'honey trap' him as a woman had also been meeting the two SIs. "Soren was put under surveillance even before he was in talks with the BJP," Sarma

Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren to join BJP on August 30: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday that former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren will join the BJP. Sarma said Soren will join the party on August 30 in Ranchi. He posted a picture of Soren meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah here. Sarma, who is the BJP's co-incharge for the Jharkhand assembly polls, was also part of the meeting. "Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren Ji met Hon'ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji a short while ago. He will officially join the BJP on 30th August in Ranchi," Sarma said on 'X'. A Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, Soren had accused its leadership of insulting him and announced that he would soon decide on his next political course. It was widely speculated that he might join the BJP, with JMM leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accusing the party of working to poach its leaders.

Jharkhand govt to provide support to increase women's share in state police

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday said his government will provide all required support to increase the participation of women in state police up to 50 per cent in the coming days. Addressing the concluding ceremony of two-day state-level women police conference, he emphasised the need for framing a rule in a bid to promote women as in-charge of police stations. "Women are capable of contributing equally as men not only in the police department but in all aspects of society. We need to bridge the gap. I want women police personnel to progress in such a way that their participation increases up to 50 per cent from the existing 5-6 per cent in state police. The government will provide support for this," he said. Soren highlighted that when a woman who has been harassed visits a police station, her case diary is often written by a male officer. He questioned, "Why shouldn't it be handled by a woman officer?" He suggested that in environments predominantly occupied by .

SIT registers FIR against school authorities in Badlapur assault case

The SIT recorded the statements of both the minor victims along their parents, added SIT

J'khand Health Minister Banna Gupta to bring medical protection bill soon

Amid junior doctors' stir demanding security at workplaces, Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta said the state government will soon bring a medical protection bill to the assembly. The Jharkhand government is concerned and sensible about the safety of doctors and healthcare workers, he said. Doctors across the country, including those in Jharkhand, have also been protesting against the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic in Kolkata. After the Supreme Court's appeal, junior doctors at the state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi resumed work on Friday as they withdrew their 'pen down' agitation over the killing of the postgraduate trainee doctor. "A medical protection bill will be brought soon in the state to ensure that a stringent law is enacted for the protection of medical professionals," Gupta said. "I have come to know that the agitating doctors have called off their strike and decided to resume work. I, on behalf of the Jharkhand government, .

Won't quit politics, open to floating new outfit, says Champai Soren

Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren said he would not quit politics, asserting that an option to float a new political outfit was always open to him. Soren said he was firm on his plans after "facing humiliation at the hands of leaders of JMM", a party to which the veteran leader claimed that he devoted his entire life. "It is a new chapter of my life. I won't quit politics as I have received lots of love and support from my followers. The chapter has closed, I may form a new outfit," the senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader said shortly after he reached his ancestral village Jhilingora in Seraikela-Kharsawan district post midnight on Tuesday. The 67-year-old tribal leader has earned the nickname "Jharkhand's Tiger" for his contribution to the fight to create a separate state in the 1990s. Jharkhand was carved out of the southern part of Bihar in 2000. "No one from JMM contacted me. This is the land of Jharkhand...I have struggled since my student life. I participa

Bharat Bandh gets mixed response; scuffle in Bihar's Patna: Top updates

The Bharat Bandh call has been initiated by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) to protest against the August 1 Supreme Court ruling

NDRF to join search operations for missing aircraft in J'khand's Seraikela

A NDRF team will join the search operation in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district on Wednesday to trace a two-seater aircraft that went missing after it took off from an aerodrome here, a police officer said. Search operations for the missing aircraft were carried out on Tuesday till midnight, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Chandil) Sunil Kumar Rajwar told PTI. The SDPO said NDRF team from Ranchi will join in the search operation on Wednesday. A massive search operation is being conducted in Chandil dam in Seraikela-Kharswan district after locals claimed that they saw the debris of the aircraft in the reservoir, Superintendent of Police (Seraikela-Kharswan) Mukesh Kumar Lunayat told PTI. Earlier, East Singhbhum district Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal told PTI that the last location of the aircraft, which belonged to Alchemist Aviation company, was detected near Nimdih under Chandil sub-division of Seraikela-Kharswan district, by the Air Traffic Control at Sonari Aerodrome.