Page 27 - Jharkhand

ED continues to quiz Hemant Soren, Section 144 clamped near CM's residence

Sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began questioning Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his official residence here on Saturday afternoon in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Soren, 48, who is also the executive president of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), had earlier skipped seven summonses by the ED. He finally gave his consent after the probe agency summoned him for the eighth time. The ED sleuths reached Soren's residence around 1 pm, an official said. The CISF, tasked with the security of the ED officials, are using high-resolution body cameras to keep track of activities around Soren's residence, he said. CRPF personnel have also been deployed in large numbers at the spot. Meanwhile, the JMM convened a meeting of its legislators at Soren's residence. "The ED is questioning the CM... We are also holding our meeting... Any strategy about the future course of action will be made based on the outcome of the questioni

JMM workers block roads, shut shops in Jharkhand against ED summons to CM

JMM workers took to the streets in Jharkhand's Sahebganj district on Wednesday to enforce the nine-hour district bandh called to protest the ED summons to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Raising slogans against central probe agencies, the ruling party workers halted traffic and forced shops to down shutters in various parts of Sahebganj city and other parts of the district including Barhait, the assembly constituency of the chief minister. The ED had on January 13 sent a letter to the chief minister, asking him to be available for questioning in the case between January 16 and January 20, sources said. In reply, Soren told the ED it can record his statement on January 20. JMM's Sahebganj district president Shahjahan Ansari claimed that the bandh is being observed peacefully across the district with the cooperation of the people in the district. He said that the bandh has been called from 8 am to 5 pm. Emergency

Over 8,600 bank accounts linked to cybercriminals frozen in Jharkhand

Altogether 8,674 bank accounts, allegedly linked to cybercriminals, have been frozen in Jharkhand on suspicion that these were being used for phishing activities, a CID official said on Tuesday. The maximum of 2002 accounts were frozen in Deoghar district, followed by 1,183 in Dhanbad and 959 in Ranchi, he said. We received the details of frozen accounts from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre and prepared a district and bank-wise list of such information. "The data will be shared with the superintendent of police of all districts and banks for verification of the accounts, Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) Director General Anurag Gupta told PTI. He said that the details of such account holders would be traced. If these accounts are found fake or linked to cybercriminals, action will be taken against the account holders," he said. The CID has been carrying out a massive operation against cybercriminals in Jharkhand. As many as 495 people have been arrested fo

CM Soren asks ED to record statement at his office in land scam case

ED had issued Soren the eighth summon on Saturday, asking him to join the investigation between January 16 to 20

BJP's ST wing will hold mega tribal rally in Ranchi on February 11

BJP's Scheduled Tribe Morcha on Saturday announced to hold a mega tribal rally here on February 11 on occasion of the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Tilka Manjhi. Party's national general secretary Raddha Mohan Das Agarwal told reporters here that lakhs of tribals from different states including Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya will participate in the rally. He said, "The rally will be a game-changer and bring a sea change in Jharkhand politics." Agarwal added that the recent election results of three states have made it clear that tribal community has put its faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP.

Over 15 firecracker stalls, dozen vehicles gutted in fire in Jharkhand

Over 15 firecracker stalls, a dozen motorcycles and a pickup van were gutted in a blaze in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district on Saturday, police said. The incident took place near a busy 'haat' (weekly market) set up in Kerukocha village in Chakulia block for the upcoming Tusu festival commencing on Monday. However, no casualty was reported in the incident, Ghatsila Sub-divisional Police Officer Kuldip Toppo said, adding further investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire. A fire tender was pressed into service and the blaze was doused after over an hour. "The fire erupted in a firecracker stall set up illegally on a ground near the market and quickly spread to 14 other firecracker stalls. A total of 13 motorcycles and a pickup van were also gutted in the blaze," Shyamsunderpur police station officer-in-charge Dilip Kumar said. Stating that the stalls were set up without permission, he said the traders have been identified and action will be taken against ...

BJP calls for 'dry day' in Jharkhand on Jan 22 ahead of Ram temple event

The BJP on Friday urged the Jharkhand government to declare a "dry day" on January 22 for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash urged for a ban on the sale of liquor and meat on that day in view of "Pran Pratishtha" at the Ram temple. "A grand ceremony is scheduled in Ayodhya on January 22 for 'Ram Lala Pran Pratishtha'. Lord Ram is known as 'Maryada Purushottam' and an ideal man due to his conduct, qualities and acts... He was in exile for 14 years... We remember Lord Ram whenever there are talks of culture and good conduct," said Prakash, the former BJP president of Jharkhand. "I request you to ban the sale of liquor and meat in Jharkhand on January 22," he added. Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Assam have already declared January 22 as a "dry day".

Focus on infra, agri, education, sports in budget for 2024-25: Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday held a meeting with officials to review preparations for the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal. He directed the officials to focus on infrastructure, education, sports, industry, health, agriculture, electricity, water supply, road, housing and social security in the upcoming state budget. Taking stock of the preparations for the budget for the next fiscal at the state secretariat, the CM said that special focus should be given to villages, agriculture, farmers and youths in the budget. Strengthening the rural economy is the priority of the state government, he said. he CM added that a better budget should be prepared keeping in mind the priorities and aspirations of all the people. Welfare of the poor is the aim of our government. The benefits of state government schemes should reach the last person, he said. State finance minister Rameshwar Oraon, chief secretary L Khiyangte and other senior officials were also present in the ..

ONGC seeks premium over govt price for coal seam gas in Jharkhand

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is seeking a premium over the government gas price for the gas it plans to produce from coal seams in Jharkhand. ONGC has sought bids from users for sale of 0.05 million standard cubic metres per day of gas from the North Karanpura coal-bed methane (CBM) block for three years. Users have been asked to quote a premium they are willing to pay over and above the monthly domestic natural gas price that the Oil Ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) notifies, the tender document showed. PPAC every month declares a price for the majority of domestically produced natural gas. This price is 10 per cent of the monthly average of the basket of crude oil that India imports. For the month of January, this price comes to USD 7.82 per million British thermal unit. This price in the ONGc tender has been marked as reserve gas price. While the government sets price for two-thirds of the gas produced in the country, CBM gas enjoys .

If FPS dealers' strike continues will opt for substitute supply: J'khand

Jharkhand minister Rameshwar Oraon on Thursday said the government would have to go for "alternative arrangements" for ration distribution if fair price shop (FPS) dealers in the state continued with their indefinite 'Ration Bandh'. More than 25,000 FPS dealers in Jharkhand on January 1 joined the nationwide indefinite 'Ration Bandh' call given by the All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation. The strike has impacted over 65 lakh beneficiaries of central and state food security schemes in Jharkhand. Speaking to PTI, Oraon, the state Food and Public Distribution Minister, said, "The state government is holding talks with the FPS dealers for a solution to the matter. Our department secretary Amitabh Kaushal has held a discussion with them on their demands and they are satisfied with the reply of the government. Their demands are already under consideration. So, there is no issue. Since it is a nationwide strike, they might be waiting for a call from their national front, he said.

Given last opportunity by ED, Jharkhand CM calls summons 'illegal': Reports

According to sources, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, in his letter to ED, has also said that he has already given the details of his properties. He has so far skipped six summons

Jharkhand's over 25K FPS dealers join nation-wide 'Ration Bandh' agitation

Over 25,000 fair price shop dealers from Jharkhand on Monday joined the nation-wide indefinite 'Ration Bandh' call given by All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation (AIFPSDF). The strike might impact over 65 lakh beneficiaries covered under national and state food security schemes in Jharkhand, if it goes long, an office bearer of the dealer association said. General secretary of Jharkhand unit of Fair Price Shop Dealers Association (FPSDA) Sanjay Kundu told PTI that the 'Ration Bandh' call has been given in protest against the Central Government's failure to ensure a minimum monthly income guarantee for the dealers and some other issues. "The agitation has been called to press for various demands of the FPS dealers such as ensuring minimum monthly income guarantee of Rs 50,000 for dealers, implementing the recommendations of World Food Program and allowing distribution through e-PoS device by inserting aadhaar number of the cardholders in case of emergency," he said. Kundu sa

Raids, cash hauls, political turmoil jeopardise Jharkhand's journey in 2023

It was a power-packed year for Jharkhand with high-profile arrests, political turmoil, searches and raids, cash hauls, deaths and gunfights between Naxals and security forces. The year began tumultuously with the Jain community and Santhal tribes staking claim over 'Parasnath' or 'Hill deity Marang Buru'. Chief Minister Hemant Soren remained in the news throughout the year for skipping as many as six summons by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land and illegal mining scam. The year was saw the arrest of IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan. On a positive note, the year saw implementation of an outreach scheme aimed at delivering benefits of government schemes to people, benefiting 58 lakh people. Players from the state performed well in national and international events. The government's crackdown on Maoists was severe. In all, 397 Maoists were arrested, nine killed, and 26 surrendered to security forces. Security forces also managed to free 'Budha Pahad' in Garhwa and Latehar in ..

Money laundering case: ED writes to Jharkhand CM seeking his availability

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a letter-cum-summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking his availability for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, official sources said on Saturday. Soren, 48, has been asked by the central agency to inform the investigating officer of the case about the date, venue and time of his choice so that his statement can be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The agency has sought a response from the chief minister by December 31, failing which it will initiate further legal action under the provisions of the anti-money laundering law. This is the seventh notice or summons issued to Soren but he has never deposed before the ED. The first was issued for August 14. He had filed a petition before the Supreme Court and then the Jharkhand High Court seeking protection from the ED action and terming the summons "unwarranted". Both the courts had dismissed his ...

Tata's TCIL to invest over Rs 1,785 cr in manufacturing unit in Jamshedpur

The Tinplate Company of India Ltd (TCIL), a unit of Tata Steel, on Friday said it will invest Rs 1,787 crore for setting up a 3-lakh-tonnes-per-annum manufacturing facility in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur. The facility, an expansion project, is scheduled for commissioning in 2026, and is likely to generate about 600 direct and indirect employment opportunities, TCIL said. A pact was inked between the company and the Jharkhand government in this regard at a ceremony to mark the completion of four years of the JMM-led government in the state. "... This landmark MoU heralds the establishment of a cutting-edge 300,000 Tons per Annum (TPA) manufacturing facility in Jamshedpur, backed by an investment of approximately Rs 1,787 crore," TCIL said in a statement. The facility will not only enhance Tinplate's manufacturing capabilities with advanced technology and automation, but also contribute significantly to both domestic and export markets, bolstering the state's industrial growth, it said.

Tribals, Dalits will be eligible for pension on reaching 50 years: CM Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday announced that tribals and Dalits in the state will be eligible for pension benefits on reaching the age of 50 years. Soren made the announcement while addressing a function on Ranchi's Morabadi ground organised to mark the completion of four years of the JMM-led government in the state. "The government has decided to provide pension benefits to tribals and Dalits on reaching the age of 50 years. The death rate among them is high and they do not get jobs after 60 years," he reasoned. Soren claimed that only 16 lakh people had received pension benefits in the 20 years after the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 but his government has provided pension to 36 lakh people, mostly those aged above 60 years. "In four years of our government, we have given pension benefits to 36 lakh people above 60 years of age, widows above 18 years of age and also physically challenged persons..." he said. Soren asserted that his government was relentlessly

397 Maoists arrested, 9 killed, 26 surrendered in J'khand this year: Police

Jharkhand police on Friday said 397 Maoists were arrested, nine killed, and 26 surrendered before security forces across the state this year. A special area committee member, a regional committee member, five zonal commanders, and 11 sub-zonal commanders were among those arrested. These individuals had a combined bounty of Rs 1.01 crore on their heads, a statement said. Police also seized 152 arms, including 27 police weapons, 10,350 ammunition, and 244 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) over the past 12 months. The state police headquarters released the data on the occasion of the Hemant Soren government's four-year anniversary. Police said over the past four years, 1,617 Naxals have been arrested, including members from banned outfits such as CPI (Maoist), People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), and Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP). Since January 1, 2020, a total of 74 Maoists surrendered before the security forces, and 792 arms

Maoists blow up portion of railway tracks in Jharkhand, 13 trains cancelled

Members of the banned CPI (Maoist) blew up a portion of railway tracks in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, disrupting train services on the Howrah-Mumbai route for several hours, police said on Friday. At least 13 trains were cancelled and one has been diverted due to the incident, a railway official said. The incident occurred late Thursday night in the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway between Mahadevsal and Posoita stations, around 150 km from the state capital Ranchi, West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Sekhar said. "Security has been tightened in the locality. The repair work on the railway tracks has been started from early morning," he said, adding that Maoists also put up banners and posters in the area. Chakradharpur Division Assistant Commercial Manager Vinit Kumar told PTI that train operations in the division have been restored around 9 am on Friday. Around 10:08 pm on Thursday, an explosion occurred between Mahadevsal and Posoita station

Sebi to auction properties of 5 cos on Jan 22 to recover investors money

Capital markets regulator Sebi has said it will auction 13 properties of five companies, including Sunheaven Agro India and RaviKiran Realty India, along with that of promoters and directors on January 22 to recover money illegally collected from investors. The other firms whose properties will be auctioned are Just-Reliable Projects India Ltd, Orion Industries, and Rakhal Bharoti group of companies. The properties will be auctioned at a reserve price of Rs 15.08 crore, according to a public notice issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday said. These assets include land parcels in West Bengal and Jharkhand. Further, Quikr Realty has been engaged by Sebi to assist in the sale of these properties. Of the 13 properties, seven are related to Rakhal Bharoti group of companies, two each of Orion Industries Ltd and Just-Reliable Projects India and one each of Sunheaven Agro India, and Ravikiran Realty. Inviting bids for the sale of the properties in the reco

Centre formally allocates Latehar coal block in Jharkhand to NLC India

The Centre has formally allocated a coal block in Jharkhand to NLC India Ltd, the state-owned entity said on Friday. The PSU had emerged as successful bidder for North Dhadu (Western Part) mine in Latehar district of Jharkhand under commercial auctions held in August. "The vesting order (for coal blocks was) issued by Secretary (Coal) to NLC India Ltd in the ceremony conducted on December 14, 2023," NLC India Ltd said in a filing to the BSE. This coal mine has reserves of 434.65 million tonnes and its peak rated capacity is three million tonnes per annum. NLC India is a Navratna company under the coal ministry. The core business of the PSU is mining and power generation.