Ranchi Diary | 500 CM Schools of Excellence in next 5 years

500 CM Schools of Excellence will be opened in Jharkhand in five years. According to School Education Minister Ramdas Soren, there are 80 such schools in the state, which will be increased to 160 in the next two years. To end the discrimination in the education system, government has planned to give the opportunity to the poor children to study in English medium as well, he said. The aim is to provide CBSE-recognized English medium education to poor students. After this, there will be a big change in the education system of the state and poor children will also become eligible for jobs in the country and abroad. CID probe into JSSC paper leak case After the intervention of CM Hemant Soren, the personnel and administrative department on issued a detailed order for a CID probe on Saturday. According to the order, the investigation of the irregularities in the JSSC-CGL examination has been handed over to the CID. The order stated that the JSSC conducted this examination on September 21-22, 2024. Nearly 3.04 lakh candidates appeared in this examination at 823 centres in the state. At the same time, its result was released on December 4. JKLM accused of getting foreign funds Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) has been accused of raising funds through foreign funding during 2024 Assembly polls. A complaint was made to the Election Commission after which the commission has written a letter to Bokaro Deputy Commissioner directing him to take necessary action. The EC in its letter stated that Rahul Banerjee, a resident of West Bengal, has complained to the State Election Commission through email that JKLM had illegally raised funds through foreign funding, which was used in the Assembly elections. It has also been mentioned in the letter that most of the foreign money was brought from Saudi Arabia. Mukesh Ranjan Our correspondent in Jharkhand mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com

Five killed, three injured in road accident in Jharkhand's Bokaro

BOKARO: Five people were killed and three others injured after their vehicle hit a truck at the Bokaro-Ramgarh National highway in Jharkhand, a police officer said on Saturday. The accident occurred near the Dantu village under Bokaro's Kashmar police station area on Friday late evening. Bermo Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) BN Singh said that the four-wheeler hit the truck, which was stuck in a road blockade, from behind. Around eight people were travelling in the four-wheeler, of which five people were killed, the SDPO said. Singh said that the injured were admitted to Sadar hospital for treatment. A hospital official said that altogether eight people were brought to the hospital, of which five were brought dead. Before this accident, another accident took place on the road in which a person was killed and local people had blocked the road in protest, he said.

Jharkhand government files FIR against Mumbai firm, five brokers for Cameroon job fraud

RANCHI: The Jharkhand Government has lodged FIRs against Mumbai-based M/s Transrail Lighting Limited and five middlemen for fraudulently sending 47 workers from the State to work in Cameroon (Central Africa). The labour department swung into action after the direction of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who had received a complaint regarding the non-payment of wages to 47 migrant workers from Jharkhand, currently stranded in Cameroon. According to an official statement released by the state government, the process to ensure payment of wages to these Jharkhand workers stranded in Cameroon has also begun. The Labour Commissioner has filed FIRs in Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Giridih. According to the FIR, employers and middlemen sent these workers to Cameroon without registering them under the Inter-State Migrant Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, and without obtaining the required license. This fraudulent and illegal act of sending workers abroad under false pretences has been strongly condemned. The five middlemen named in the FIR are Mannan (Mumbai), Akash, Satwik, Vijay Mahto and Mahesh. Notably, the Chief Minister was informed a few days ago about complaints from Jharkhand workers employed in M/s Transrail Lighting Limited, Cameroon. According to them, their wages had been pending for three months and they wished to return to India. Taking a swift action after receiving the information, the chief minister directed the State Migrant Control Room to take steps to ensure the safe return of the migrant labourers. Following the Chief Ministers orders, the State Migrant Control Room, under the guidance of the Labor Commissioner, contacted the workers and the employer company. The company revealed that they had paid the workers USD 100 per month and assured them that the remaining wages would be transferred to their Indian bank accounts. The workers have since confirmed receiving partial payments. In addition, the State Migrant Control Room has instructed the company to provide copies of the workers contracts, salary details, and other necessary documents. The Labor Department has also sent letters to the Protector of Emigrants (POE), Ranchi, and other relevant departments, requesting appropriate action. The company has assured the authorities of resolving the outstanding wage payments by consulting the sub-contractor. The remaining amounts will be deposited into the workers Indian accounts. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to ensure the safe return of these workers. The High Commission and Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India have been informed about the situation.

Bokaros Forgotten Displaced People

Shweta Singh of the Congress party, has emerged as a beacon of hope, becoming the first woman MLA of Bokaro.

India can reduce $2 billion import of coking coal per annum: Niti Aayog

Cooking oils contain saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Cooking oils contain saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Chennai: Integrated Steel Plants imported 58 million tonnes of coking coal at a cost of approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in FY24 despite holding proven geological resources of 21.63 billion tonnes of prime and medium coking coal, finds Niti Aayog. If the government takes required action to enhance domestic production, the coking coal import bill will be reduced by $2 billion per annum based on a landing price of $300 per tonne for imported prime coking coal, it said. As of April 2023, Indias proved geological resources of prime coking coal were estimated to be 5.13 billion tonnes and medium coking coal to be 16.5 billion tonnes. However, out of the 238 million tonnes of coal imported into India during FY23, coking coal alone accounted for 56 MT. In FY 24, coking coal imports set a record of 58 MT. The total value of coking coal imports into India crossed Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time in FY22 and stood at Rs 1.5 lakh crore in FY24. Ministry of Steel can review the suboptimal utilisation of SAILs existing coking coal mines and washeries and upgrade the existing washeries or establish new washeries with advanced technology to enhance the import substitution of coking coal in SAILs steel plants and reduce hot metal costs, Niti Aayog said. Indias import dependence on coking coal is about 85 per cent. The raw coal throughput to the washeries owned by PSUs, which have a total capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum while the total raw coking coal production was 55 MT from PSU coal mines. Therefore, the capacity utilisation of PSU washeries was less than 32 per cent in FY23 while the washed coal yields were only 35-36 per cent. This is in stark contrast to the performance of the four private coking coal washeries which have a capacity utilization of 75 per cent and higher washed coal yields. While the Centre has announced a rebate of 50 per cent on the final offer for the coal used for gasification and liquefaction, there is no incentive for producing metallurgical coal. In the absence of such incentives, the newly auctioned commercial coal blocks will sell the raw coking coal without making investments in modern coking coal washeries required for supplying metallurgical coal to steel plants or coke ovens. The government can also think about joint ventures with the private sector. The annual savings in the coking coal bill of ISPs by using private sector investments to develop integrated mining, beneficiation, and logistics coking coal projects in the West Bokaro coalfield alone is estimated to be Rs 8000 - 10,000 crore. This will also significantly increase the revenues accruing to the state in the form of royalty, district mineral fund, and GST.

Her story: Record number of women MLAs in Jharkhand House

RANCHI: The Jharkhand Assembly will witness the maximum number of women MLAs. Out of 26 women candidates fielded by the INDIA bloc and NDA together, a dozen have made it to the Assembly. In 2019, the Assembly had 10 women MLAs. Every Assembly in the state has seen an increasing number of women MLAs since Jharkhand was formed 24 years ago. In 2000, it had three woman MLAs, while in 2005 the number rose to eight and in 2014, the number went up to nine. Among the 12 elected, a maximum of five women MLAs came on the Congress ticket, while four, belong to BJP ticket. The three remaining women MLAs are from the JMM. They include Hemant Sorens wife Kalpana, former BJP minister Dr Lois Marandi and Sabita Mahato. Among these 12 women, Nisat Alam of the Congress has the credit of winning Pakur seat with a maximum margin of more than 86,000 votes. Nisat Alam, wife of former minister Alamgir Alam who is currently lodged in jail in a money laundering case linked to a tender scam, contested the election for the first time on her husbands seat. Another woman, Shweta Singh, daughter-in-law of Congress leader Samresh Singh, also got elected from Bokaro by defeating BJPs Biranchi Narayan by 7,207 votes. The most prominent face among the women MLAs, however, is Kalpana Soren, wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who made it to the Jharkhand Assembly for the second consecutive term by defeating Muniya Devi of BJP with a margin of 17,142 votes. Former minister Deepikia Pandey Singh has been elected again from the Mahgama Assembly constituency by defeating BJPs Ashok Kumar with a margin of 18,645. Former BJP minister Louis Marandi, who switched to the JMM after being denied ticket by the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections, has also been elected from the Jama seat. Similarly, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, who contested on a Congress ticket, is elected from Mardar seat for the second time. Sorens leave for Delhi to invite PM for oath ceremony Hemant Sornen and his wife Kalpana Soren left on Monday for Delhi to invite PM Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other dignitaries for his oath taking ceremony on Thursday.

Final phase of Jharkhand polls records 67.59% turnout

Polling was peaceful; Maheshpur records highest turnout of 79.4%, whereas Bokaro seat registers 50.52%

No violence recorded for the first time in Jharkhand assembly polls

RANCHI: In a major achievement, for the first time after the formation of Jharkhand, Assembly polls were conducted here without any incident of Maoist violence. The second phase of polling concluded peacefully for 38 Assembly seats in Jharkhand on Wednesday with an overall voter turnout of 67.59 %. Out of the 38 seats where polling was conducted in the second phase, BJP contested 32 and AJSU contested six seats from NDA side, while JMM contested 20, Congress 12, RJD two and CPI (ML) on four seats from the INDIA bloc. According to Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr Neha Arora, Maheshpur remained on the top with a maximum voting percentage of 79.4 per cent followed by Nala with 78.75 per cent and Sarath with 77.94 per cent. The lowest voter turnout on the other hand, was recorded at Bokaro with 50.52 per cent, Dhanbad with 52.31 per cent and Jharia with 55.23 per cent, she said. All constituencies except Bokaro, Dhanbad and Jharia recorded more than 60 per cent voter turnout, said the Additional Chief Electoral Officer. A total of 134 ballot units, 161 control units, and 377 VVPATs were replaced by 3 pm during polling, she added. Meanwhile, on the orders of the Election Commission, an FIR was registered against presiding officer Ramanand Kumar Paswan, posted at polling station number 111 of Madhupur assembly constituency, following a complaint was registered against him. Paswan was taken into custody immediately after that. A complaint was received against him for conducting votes in favour of the JMM candidate, which was confirmed through webcasting. ACEO Dr Neha Arora said that another officer was posted in his place. A total of 528 candidates are in the fray in the second phase, out of which 472 are men and 55 are women. Voting was completed at 14219 polling stations, which were monitored through webcasting from the State Election Building and the District Election Office. Jharkhand: Its infiltration vs mahila samman as 38 seats up for grabs in 2nd phase

Over 31% Vote in Jharkhand; 18% in Maharashtra Till 11 AM

Voting is underway in both Jharkhand and Maharashtra, with significant voter participation reported in both states during the final phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections and the ongoing Maharashtra polls. In Jharkhand, over 31% of eligible voters cast their ballots by 11 AM across 38 constituencies. This phase of the election is crucial for the ruling JMM-led INDIA alliance, which is hoping to retain power based on its welfare programs, while the opposition BJP is vying for control. In the first four hours of polling, the highest turnout was recorded in Pakur at 35.15%, with Ranchi following closely at 34.75%. Other districts, including Jamtara and Ramgarh, also saw strong participation. However, Bokaro recorded the lowest turnout at 27.72% and's election sees 528 candidates, including prominent figures like Chief Minister Hemant Soren, competing across 38 seats. Election authorities have ensured smooth voting, with 239 polling stations operated entirely by women and 22 managed by persons with disabilities . As of 1 enthusiasm is evident, with national leaders like Prime Minister Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, and others urging citizens to cast their vote for a better future. In fact, Modi emphasized the importance of this great festival of democracy, especially highlighting the significance of young voters. Meanwhile in Maharashtra is also witnessing active voter engagement in its 288 constituencies. By 11 AM, the state recorded a voter turnout of 18.14%. Districts like Gadchiroli showed strong participation with 30% turnout, while Mumbai city reported a more moderate 15.78%. Constituencies like Colaba, Mahim, and Worli in Mumbai saw varied voter engagement, while areas like Bhandup in the suburban region had a notable 23.42% turnout. In Maharashtra h-profile contests are shaping up, including those in the constituencies of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shindes constituency, Kopri-Pachpakhadi in Thane, saw an 18.22% turnout, while Fadnavis's Nagpur South-West recorded 19.91%. Notably, the Baramati constituency, where NCP leader Ajit Pawar faces a challenge from his nephew, also saw a voter turnout of 18.81%. With both states undergoin, the outcomes will influence political landscapes, making todays voter turnout a key indicator of democratic engagement and the political future of these regions.

Jharkhand: Its infiltration vs mahila samman as 38 seats up for grabs in 2nd phase

RANCHI: Voting in the second phase in Jharkhands 38 constituencies in a dozen districts on Wednesday will test the campaign pitches of the BJP-led alliance over the Bangla infiltration and the JMMs Mahila Samman scheme under which Rs 1,000 are given each month to women in the 18-50 years age group. Out of 38 seats, 18 each are in Santhal Pargana and North Chhotanagpur and two in Ranchi. According to the Election Commission, 528 candidates are in the fray of which 55 are women. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren and former CM Babulal Marandi are key contestants. The BJPs campaign revolved around accusing the ruling alliance of encouraging Bangladeshi infiltration that has allegedly changed the demographic character of Santhal Pargana. The BJP lost power to the JMM-led alliance in 2019. The JMM countered the BJP by labeling its narrative as motivated and called candidates outsiders. JMM and Congress leaders have told tribals that the outsider BJP was trying to spoil and divide the social structure of Santhal Pargana. The ruling alliance is equally banking on Mahila Samman. In the 2019 assembly elections, of the total 81 seats, the JMM won 29 and the BJP 25 seats. The Congress won 18 seats and RJD won one. An alliance of JMM-Congress-RJD formed the government. According to an ADR report, out of 522, 148 (28%) candidates have criminal cases registered against them. At the same time, there are 23% i.e. 122 candidates have serious cases registered against them. These cases involve murders and kidnappings. At least three candidates have murder cases. There are 12 candidates against whom cases related to atrocities against women have been registered. Out of these 12 candidates, rape has been registered against one of them. Among constituencies, Dumka has the most women-managed polling booths (52), followed by Jamtara (31) and Bokaro (23). Silli has 14 such booths, while Khijri has none.

BJP Leaders Push Mati, Beti, Roti Agenda in Jharkhand Polls

New Delhi: Given the spike in the first phase polling percentage, the BJP has grown in confidence of returning to power in Jharkhand. The party feels that its mati, beti, roti push in the tribal-dominated state has resonated well with the electorate and the extensive campaigning by its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and BJP chief J.P. Nadda, who held public rallies in Jharkhand on Sunday, will give it a clear edge in the second phase of the ongoing state polls. In the first phase of polling on November 13, Jharkhand witnessed a turnout of 66.6 per cent in 43 Assembly constituencies, around three per cent higher than in the 2019 Assembly polls. Citing the surge, a senior BJP functionary said that the increased voting percentage shows that people came out to overthrow the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand. Peoples anger against the JMM misgovernance, corruption and appeasement are the reasons behind high voter turnout. Increased voter turnout is against the incumbent Hemant Soren government. The ground report received from across the states says the BJP-led NDA government will comfortably form the next Jharkhand government, the saffron party leader said, asserting that more people will come out in the second phase of polling to throw out the incumbent JMM-led state government. A BJP insider said that the mati, beti, roti slogan has resonated well with the electorate and has emerged to be one of the biggest issues in the ongoing Assembly polls. Top BJP leaders, including Mr Modi, have repeatedly pointed out that changing demographics of Jharkhand because of unchecked illegal infiltrations jeopardize the state's and the nations security and have attributed it to the JMM and the Congress alliance's hunger for power. In the run-up to the Jharkhand elections, Mr Modi has held over half-a-dozen rallies in the state and has repeated the BJP's call that it is time to hrow out the incumbent government to protect mati, beti, roti. Other BJP leaders have also harped on the illegal infiltration issue. A case in point, the Union home minister had said that the BJP will bring in a law to take back land from infiltrators in Jharkhand and identify and deport the illegal immigrants. He claimed that mati, beti, roti are under threat from the illegal immigrants and the BJP will provide security to the indigenous people. Electorate believes that our mati, beti, roti are under threat due to unchecked infiltration under the JMM-led coalition. People further believe that only the BJP can protect mati, beti, roti under the strong leadership of Mr Modi, Mr Shah has often reiterated at his rallies in Jharkhand. As Jharkhand prepares for the second phase of polling on November 20, the BJP chief, addressing election rallies at Gomia in Bokaro district on Sunday, pushed ahead with a similar narrative. Mr Nadda claimed that according to an intelligence report, the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand gave shelter to Bangladeshi infiltrators in madrasas and ensured that they got land and government documents like Aadhaar cards. Mr Nadda also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that he talks about the Other Backward Classes during the elections but has not done anything for their welfare. He questioned how many OBC members were in the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a social service organisation headed by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, and the National Advisory Committee of the erstwhile UPA regime. I say with pride that there are 27 OBC ministers in Mr Modi's Cabinet, he said, claiming that the NDA government is bringing OBCs, tribals and SCs to the mainstream. The BJP chief attacked Congress and the JMM, the two main constituents of the ruling coalition of Jharkhand, during his addresses at three election rallies during the day. The BJP-led government at the Centre spent `19-lakh crores to augment infrastructure and will spend `10-lakh crores more on it, he added. I have received an intelligence report just now. It says that Bangladeshi infiltrators are given shelter in madrasas here. Their Aadhaar, voter ID, gas connection and ration cards are facilitated, and then the Hemant Soren government ensures land for them, he said. Waiving a paper claiming to be the intelligence report, Mr Nadda said, Mr Soren looted 'jal, jungle, jameen' (water, forest, land) of Jharkhand. Infiltration is rampant here. Infiltrators are marrying tribal women and grabbing their land. We will bring a law to ensure that their offspring are debarred from getting the land. Only the PM Modi-led BJP government can check infiltration. Charging the Hemant Soren government with promoting infiltration, Mr Nadda said that if the BJP is voted to power, a law will be enacted to check the transfer of land to the offspring of infiltrators who marry tribal women. Mr Nadda also termed the JMM-RJD-Congress alliance as a family of corrupt people, claiming that INDIA bloc leaders were either in jail or out on bail.

Nadda claims 'intel report' shows Jharkhand govt sheltering 'Bangladeshi infiltrators'

BOKARO/DHANBAD/JAMTARA: BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday claimed that according to an intelligence report, the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand gave shelter to Bangladeshi infiltrators in madrasas and ensured that they got land and government documents like Aadhaar card. Nadda also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying that he wants to become champion of Other Backward Classes, but questioned how many OBC members were in Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a social service organisation headed by Sonia Gandhi, and the National Advisory Committee of the erstwhile UPA regime. The BJP president attacked Congress and the JMM, the two main constituents of the ruling coalition of Jharkhand, during his addresses at three election rallies during the day. I have received an intelligence report just now. It says that Bangladeshi infiltrators are given shelter in madrasas here. Their Aadhaar, voter ID, gas connection and ration card are facilitated and then the Hemant Soren government ensures land for them, he said. Shah slams Soren for decline in tribal population While addressing a rally at Gomia in Bokaro district, Nadda who is also the union health minister, waived a paper claiming to be the intelligence report. Hemant Soren looted 'Jal, Jungle, Jameen' (water, forest, land) of Jharkhand. Infiltration is rampant here. Infiltrators are marrying tribal women and grabbing their land. We will bring a law to ensure that their offspring is debarred from getting the land. Only PM Modi-led BJP government can check infiltration, the BJP president said. He also termed the entire JMM-RJD-Congress as a family of corrupt people, claiming that INDIA bloc leaders were either in jail or out on bail. Hemant Soren, who is out on bail, will again go to prison. He is indulged in Rs 5,000-crore mining scam, Rs 236-crore land scam, and several other scams, Nadda alleged. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Soren on January 31 in a money laundering case linked to a land scam. He was released from jail on June 28 after the high court granted him bail. The Hemant Soren government followed 'divide and rule' policy and created unrest among people. Now it is time for their exit. We will be forming the government here, Nadda claimed. EC seeks responses from Nadda, Kharge over poll code violation complaints He accused the Hemant Soren government of betraying the people, looting the state and promoting dynastic politics. Asserting that Rahul Gandhi was trying to portray himself as a champion of OBCs, the BJP leader questioned how many OBC members were in the Congress Working Committee, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and National Advisory Committee, which was chaired by his mother Sonia Gandhi. I say with pride that there are 27 OBC ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet, he said claiming that the NDA government is bringing OBCs, tribals and SCs to the mainstream. The BJP-led government at the Centre spent Rs 19 lakh crore to augment infrastructure and will spend Rs 10 lakh crore more on it, he added. Nadda also said that under the Modi regime, agriculture budget increased by five times and India became the third-largest automobile manufacturer, second-largest steel maker, third-biggest market for toys and produces the world's most affordable drugs. He said five medical colleges were being set up in Jharkhand and PM Modi allocated Rs 250 crore each for them. Addressing another rally at Sindri in Dhanbad district, Nadda alleged: Selfish motives were behind the formation of the JMM-Cong-RJD alliance. It is anti-tribal, anti-farmer and anti-Dalit. It promotes corruption, dynastic politics and appeasement for vote bank politics. Charging the Hemant government with promoting infiltration, Nadda said that if BJP is voted to power, a law would be enacted to check transfer of land to the offspring of infiltrators who marry tribal women. He alleged that the Hemant Soren government indulged in Rs 4,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam, Rs 5,000 crore mining scam and Rs 236 crore land scam. The Union minister said it was time for formation of a double-engine government in Jharkhand to accelerate growth and development in Jharkhand. Nadda said once the BJP government was formed in the state, a number of development initiatives would begin. He said that under PM Modi's regime, export of medicines rose 138 per cent while India is manufacturing 97 per cent of mobile phones. He added that 1.46 lakh km of national highways were built under Modi's regime while 61 Vande Bharat Express trains were launched. Betrayed by the corrupt JMM-led coalition, Jharkhand people have decided to teach it a lesson, Nadda said in his third rally at Nala in Jamtara urging people to oust the coalition. He hit out at the Congress for claiming to be the wellwisher of OBCs, and claimed that it is PM Modi who has given constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes. Previous govts pursued vote bank politics, we ensured people's faith was restored: PM Modi

Unemployment, inflation on rise in BJP regime in country: Tejaswhi

Tejashwi Yadav accuses BJP of rising unemployment, inflation, and spreading hatred in Bokaro election rally

Intel report says Bangladeshis given shelter in Jharkhand madrasas: JP Nadda at Bokaro rally

BJP president J P Nadda accused the JMM-led Jharkhand government of harboring Bangladeshi infiltrators, facilitating their acquisition of official documents, and even land ownership. He vowed to introduce legislation to prevent land ownership for offspring of infiltrators who marry tribal women. Nadda also criticized the government's alleged corruption and divisive policies, predicting their downfall in the upcoming elections.

If Congress wins, wont let anyone snatch jal, jungle & zameen of tribals: Rahul

RANCHI/MUMBAI : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of serving the interests of billionaires who want to snatch the jal, jungle and zameen (land, water and forests) of tribals. Gandhi also charged Modi with seeking to destroy the Constitution which is the soul of the country. PM Modi says Rahul is flashing a red book. Its content is important, not the colour. Had you read it, you would not have been spreading hatred and dividing society, Gandhi said in a rally in Godda district. It is a fight of ideology between the INDIA bloc and BJP-RSS. We are protecting the Constitution and BJP-RSS is trying to dump it in the trash bin. They are spreading violence and trying to divide society on the basis of caste, creed and religion, he alleged. Addressing another rally at Bermo in Bokaro, Gandhi said the Congress, if voted to power, will ensure caste census and remove the 50% cap on the reservation. He promised to increase reservation of STs, SCs and OBCs to 28%, 12% and 27%, respectively. Rs 7,000 per quintal promise for soyabean Rahul said the MVA is going to take historic steps for the farmers of Maharashtra by fixing Rs 7,000 per quintal plus bonus for soyabean. He said the MVA will form a committee to fix fair price for onions and right MSP for cotton as well. Gandhi said for the last three elections, the BJP has been promising an MSP of Rs 6,000 for soyabean but even today farmers are forced to sell the soybean grown with their hard work for Rs 3,000-4,000. MVA will give our farmers their rights, fruits of hard work and justice, Gandhi said in a post.

Ensure Level Playing Field in Campaign, Cong. Urges EC

New Delhi/Ranchi: The Congress on Friday complained to the Election Commission against the alleged grounding of party leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter in poll-bound Jharkhand and sought its urgent intervention in ensuring a level playing field in poll campaigning. In a letter to the EC, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's chopper was not allowed to take off due to restrictions leading to his public meetings getting either delayed or cancelled. There should be a level-playing field in campaigning. The PM's campaign cannot take precedence over that of all others. Today Rahul Gandhi got delayed in Jharkhand on this account, Ramesh said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday yet again attacked the BJP for conspiring to destroy the Indian Constitution, and also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he only served the interests of billionaires at the expense of the poor people of India. Addressing election rallies for the second phase in Jharkhand, he claimed that while the Opposition INDIA bloc was fighting to protect the Constitution, the BJP was trying to dump it in the trash bin. He also said that Mr Modi worked for the welfare of billionaires in the country and privatised institutions, colleges, industries, hospitals and ports, not for the poor. Speaking at a rally at Mahagama in Godda district, he asserted that he was not afraid of Mr Modi or his 56-inch chest. Mr Gandhi said: He is a puppet of billionaires. He also accused the PM of giving lessons to people during the day and enjoying the weddings of industrialists at night. The Congress leader claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra was toppled to grab land and that Mr Modi was trying to hand over land worth Rs 1 lakh crores in Mumbais Dharavi slum to an industrialist. PM Modi says Rahul is flashing a red book. Its content is important, not the colour. Had you read it, you would not have been spreading hatred and dividing society, Mr Gandhi said. It is a fight of ideology between the INDIA bloc and the BJP-RSS. We are protecting the Constitution and the BJP-RSS is trying to dump it in the trash bin. They are spreading violence and trying to divide society on the basis of caste, creed and religion, he alleged. Advocating the need for a nationwide caste census, the senior Congress leader claimed it would change the face of India. The caste census would reveal positions of tribals, Dalits and OBCs in various institutions, he said, adding a caste census is bound to happen. We will demolish the 50 per cent reservation ceiling, PM Modi can do whatever he can, he added. He also targeted the BJP over the arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren, and said: A tribal CM elected by you was put behind bars in Jharkhand. In another rally at Bermo in Bokaro district, he said that the Constitution was the soul of the country. Prime Minister Modi says it is blank inside. Look at this, it has content. He says Rahul shows a red book; its content is important and not the colour, Mr Gandhi said, displaying a copy of the Constitution. PM Modi wants to destroy the Constitution, but no power can do it, Mr Gandhi noted at the rally. Mr Modi had made the countrys youth unemployed through GST and demonetisation, he alleged. If we are voted to power in Jharkhand, we will raise the reservation of STs to 28 per cent from the present 26 per cent, SCs to 12 per cent from 10 per cent at present and OBCs to 27 per cent from the existing 14 per cent, he claimed. The BJP has been accusing the Congress leader of displaying a fake copy of the Constitution with blank pages at an event in Maharashtra recently.

PM serving interests of billionaires at expense of poor, alleges Rahul Gandhi

JHARKHAND: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of serving the interests of billionaires at the expense of the country's poor. Gandhi, who addressed two election rallies in Jharkhand during the day, also charged Modi with seeking to destroy the Constitution which is the soul of the country. The Congress leader claimed that while the opposition INDIA bloc was fighting to protect the Constitution, the BJP was trying to dump it in the trash bin. PM Modi says Rahul is flashing a red book. Its content is important, not the colour. Had you read it, you would not have been spreading hatred and dividing society, Gandhi said in a rally in Godda district. It is a fight of ideology between the INDIA bloc and BJP-RSS. We are protecting the Constitution and BJP-RSS is trying to dump it in the trash bin. They are spreading violence and trying to divide society on the basis of caste, creed and religion, he alleged. Addressing another rally at Bermo in Bokaro district, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of seeking to destroy the Constitution which is the soul of the country. The Constitution is the soul of the country. Prime Minister Modi says it is blank inside. Look at this, it has contents. He says Rahul shows a red book; its content is important and not the colour, he said, displaying a copy of the constitution. The BJP has been accusing the Congress leader of displaying a fake copy of the constitution with blank pages at an event in Maharashtra recently. PM Modi wants to destroy the constitution, but no power can do it, he said. Maintaining that he was not afraid of Modi or his 56-inch chest, Gandhi alleged: He is a puppet of billionaires. The former Congress president accused the PM of giving lessons to people during the day, while enjoying the weddings of industrialists at night. Gandhi claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra was toppled to grab land. He alleged that Modi was trying to hand over land worth Rs 1 lakh crore in Mumbai's Dharavi to an industrialist. The Prime Minister worked for the welfare of billionaires in the country and privatised institutions, colleges, industries, hospitals and ports, Gandhi claimed. He handed over the country's wealth to 25 capitalists. PM Modi waived Rs 16 lakh crore of debt of industrialists but did not do anything for the poor people, farmers and Dalits, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha said. PM Modi rendered the country's youths unemployed through GST and demonetisation, he alleged. Gandhi said that though PM Modi speaks of his respect for the poor, but does not waive the farm loans. Advocating for the need for a nationwide caste census, the Congress leader claimed that it would change the face of India. The caste census would reveal positions of tribals, Dalits and OBCs in various institutions, he said. The Congress, if voted to power, will ensure caste census and remove the 50 per cent cap on the reservation, Gandhi said. If we are voted to power in Jharkhand, we will raise the reservation of STs to 28 per cent from the present 26 per cent, SCs to 12 per cent from the 10 per cent at present and OBCs to 27 per cent from the existing 14 per cent, he said. Gandhi further alleged that Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) constitute 90 per cent of India's population, but they are not represented in government institutions. He also targeted the BJP over the arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren, and said, A tribal CM elected by you was put behind the bars in Jharkhand. Accusing the BJP of spreading hate and violence, Gandhi said it can be eliminated through love. Ours is a 'mohabbat ki dukan' (shop of love), they have 'nafrat ka bazar' (market of hatred), he said asserting that he undertook a 4,000-km padyatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to spread the message of love because BJP's hatred and divisive policies could be won by love only. Meanwhile, Gandhi was delayed for the second meeting at Bermo as his helicopter, which was supposed to take him back after addressing an election rally, was grounded for about two hours, prompting allegations from the Congress that it was politically motivated. Our leader Rahul Gandhi's helicopter was not allowed to take off for about two hours, posing a grave threat to his life. This was a security lapse at the behest of the Centre, state minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged. Officials said the delay was on account of the region's airspace being declared as a o-flying zone after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stranded in Jharkhand's Deoghar airport for nearly two hours after his special IAF aircraft developed a technical snag. The PM visited Jamui to attend a function marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

PM Modi put last nail in coffin of terrorism, govt set to eliminate Maoists: Yogi Adityanath

Bokaro: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand of aiding Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas in the state and asserted that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the only solution to stop this. Addressing a rally in Bermo, Bokaro, Adityanath said, The JMM, Congress, and RJD are helping Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators enter Jharkhand. They are grabbing land here by marrying tribal girls. The BJP under PM Modi is the only solution to this problem. He also credited the BJP government for providing security to the nation's 140 crore citizens and emphasised the government's strong stance on terrorism. Under Modi, the Ayodhya issue was resolved in two years. The country has become so powerful under his leadership that neighbouring countries like Pakistan have stopped provoking us, Adityanath said. The world's most powerful leadership is with you, no one who provokes India will be spared. PM Modi put the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and the government is set to eliminate the Maoists, he said, appealing people to vote for the BJP. He also alleged that INDI alliance has designs to divide communities by pitting them against each other. Batenge to katenge; Ek rahenge to safe rahenge (If divided we will be wiped out, if together, we will be safe), he added.

Campaign ends for phase I of Jharkhand polls

New Delhi: Campaign ended on Monday for the first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand and bypolls in Wayanad parliamentary seat and assembly seats across several states with leaders making strong efforts to woo the electorate. Priyanka Gandhi is making her electoral debut from Wayanad, the Lok Sabha seat won her brother Rahul Gandhi, who decided to retain the party's traditional seat of Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand will go to the polls on two phases on November 13 and 20. Forty-three seats will go the polls in the first phase. Campaigning in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and accused him of humiliating Champai Soren. Champai Soren has been loyal for so many years, standing with Hemantji, but how he was humiliated and removed is not just an insult to Champai Soren but an insult to the entire tribal community. The main issue was that Champai Soren stated that corruption should stop, but the JMM was not willing to end it, he alleged. The Union Minister further said that if BJP is voted into power in Jharkhand, a law would be brought to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators, even if they marry tribal women. The illegal immigrants are taking up the jobs meant for tribals of the state... The infiltrators are dangerous for our daughters, our resources, and our land... When we form the government, we will bring a law that will prohibit the immigrant from registering tribal land in his name, even if he marries a tribal girl. We will make the immigrant give back the acquired land. Shah also accused Hemant Soren of vote bank politics and said Bangladeshi infiltrators were coming to the state. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also alleged that mafias are rapidly growing in Jharkhand and claimed that only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can ensure both security and governance in the state. Adityanath cited the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and highlighted how the authorities were strictly dealing with the miscreants. Mafias are flourishing in Jharkhand. Uttar Pradesh is right next to you. Go and see; no one will play with the law and order because if someone does so or tries to disrupt a festival, then the ticket to Yamraj is booked. (The accused are dealt with very strictly). Whether it is security or good governance, only the BJP can provide it, CM Yogi said while addressing a gathering in Bhawanathpur. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also took a dig at the Congress Hemant Soren. He addressed a public gathering in Chinia in Garhwa district. Even during the difficult times of British rule, Birsa Munda did a great job from the land of Jharkhand but it is unfortunate to say that Congress and Hemant Soren are hungry for power..., he said. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a road show in Ranchi and two rallies--one in Bokaro and another in Gumla--where he slammed Congress and its allies for attempting to create a divide between SCs, STs, and OBCs. Congress leaders including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also campaigned in Jharkhand in the run-up to the first phase of polling. Congress on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the BJP, accusing the party of posting a misleading advertisement on social media that contained false information about the leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Indian National Congress (INC), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Following the complaint, a FIR has been registered at the cybercrime police station in Ranchi for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) guidelines over a video posted on a social media handle of the BJP's Jharkhand wing. Sources said FIR no 176/24 dated 10.11.2024 has been filed at the Ranchi cybercrime police station for violation of MCC guidelines and extant legal provisions. Additionally, the cybercrime police station Ranchi, in a letter dated 10.11.2024, requested social media platforms to remove the objectionable posts under Section 69(A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit out at BJP, saying that the party's campaign is devoid of issues and focused solely on communal polarization. The INDIA coalition's campaign in Jharkhand is centred around our government's achievements in the last five years and our seven guarantees - ranging from enhanced food rations to honorariums for women and new degree colleges in each block. We are focused on our governance and our vision for a just, inclusive, and prosperous Jharkhand, he wrote on X. The BJP's campaign is devoid of issues and focuses solely on communal polarisation. It is an indictment of the Union Government's performance that after ten years in power, the BJP is seeking votes only on religious polarisation. The non-biological PM has failed miserably to fulfil the promises he made to the state over the past ten years. Worse, he has denied almost Rs 1.4 lakh crore, which is legitimately due to Jharkhand on account of coal royalty, the Congress leader added. Jairam Ramesh said the people will reject BJP in the assembly polls. On November 13th and 20th, the people of Jharkhand will vote decisively for continuity, communal harmony, social justice, and self-dignity. They will reject the wholly negative and disgusting campaign of the BJP, he said. Meanwhile, a roadshow was held in Sultan Bathery, Wayanad that included Priyanka Gandhi Rahul Gandhi, who is Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, was also present. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is contesting against Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Satyan Mokeri and BJP's Navya Haridas in the by-polls. Chelakkara Assembly seat in Thrissur district is also going to the polls on November 13. A total of 34 seats will see bypolls on November 13. Bypolls will also be held for West Bengal's six assembly seats--Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai and Madarihat Earlier, 48 constituencies were scheduled to go to for bypolls on November 13, but the Election Commission of India rescheduled the poll date in 14 Assembly constituencies in three states -- Kerala, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh -- to November 20 following large-scale social, cultural and religious engagements of people from various communities

Rs 5,000 crore loss to taxpayers, 47 FIRs against Jharkhand officials in past 2 years; major corruption and scam cases under Hemant Soren govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an election rally for the Jharkhand Assembly polls in Bokaro on Sunday, November 10th, and promised the addresses that the BJP would ensure corruption-free government in the state.

Congress & its allies want to reinstate Art 370 in J&K: PM Modi

Ek Rahenge Toh Safe Rahenge BOKARO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the Congress and its allies for seeking to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and its allies want to bring back Article 370 so that Babasahebs Constitution is once again out of Jammu and Kashmir, and our soldiers again [] The post Congress & its allies want to reinstate Art 370 in J&K: PM Modi appeared first on Northlines .

PM Modi enthralls people with 3-km mega roadshow in Ranchi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a 3-km roadshow in Ranchi, Jharkhand, drawing thousands of supporters. The event featured chanting, music, and displays of BJP support. Modi addressed rallies in Bokaro and Gumla, promising development and criticizing the ruling coalition. Security measures were heightened for the event, with prohibitory orders and a no-flying zone in place.

Ek Rahoge Toh Safe Rahoge: PM Alleges Congress-JMM Pitting OBC Sub-Castes Against Each Other

BOKARO, Nov 10: Alleging that the Congress-JMM coalition wanted to divide OBCs by pitting sub-castes against each other, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told an election rally in Jharkhand ek rahoge toh safe rahoge (be united to be safe). Addressing the rally in Bokaro, Modi claimed that till there was no unity between OBCs, tribals and Dalits, the Congress kept forming governments at the Centre. Beware of Congress-JMMs evil designs and conspiracies. They can go to any extent to [] The post Ek Rahoge Toh Safe Rahoge: PM Alleges Congress-JMM Pitting OBC Sub-Castes Against Each Other appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

'If we remain together, we will remain safe': PM Modi's warning to OBCs at election rally in Jharkhand

BOKARO: Alleging that the Congress-JMM coalition wanted to divide OBCs by pitting sub-castes against each other, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told an election rally in Jharkhand ' ek rahoge toh safe rahoge ' (be united to be safe). Addressing the rally in Bokaro, Modi claimed that till there was no unity between OBCs, tribals and Dalits, the Congress kept forming governments at the Centre. Beware of Congress-JMM's evil designs and conspiracies. They can go to any extent to snatch power. Congress has been an opponent of SC, ST, and OBC unity since Independence. Till there was no unity, Congress kept forming governments at the Centre and looted the nation, he said. More than 125 sub-castes are considered OBCs in the Chotanagpur region. Congress-JMM wants to break the OBC unity by pitting sub-castes against each other. I warn you ' ek rahoge toh safe rahoge ', he added. The PM also attacked the Congress and its allies for seeking the reinstation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and its allies want to bring back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir so that our soldiers again face the fire of terrorism, he said. Amit Shah releases BJP manifesto for Maharashtra Assembly polls; promises strict anti-conversion law, skill census Modi buried Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. For seven decades, Ambedkar's Constitution was not in force there, he said. It was for the first time that the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir had taken oath in the name of the Indian Constitution and this was his tribute to Ambedkar, Modi said. He said a BJP-led government was needed in Jharkhand to drive out infiltrators and eradicate corruption. You are hankering for a handful of sand, they are smuggling it, the PM said, attacking the ruling JMM-led coalition in the state. Recruitment mafia and paper leak mafia created by the JMM-led coalition will be sent to jail and those who played with the future of the youth would not be spared, he added.

Jharkhand Assembly elections: Those who opposed creation of the State, cant develop it, says PM Modi in Bokarorally

PM Modi, addressing an election rally in Jharkhands Bokaro, says We created the State, now will give it its due share.

Those who opposed creation of Jharkhand cant develop it: PM Modi at Bokaro rally

Mr. Modi said that the NDA government is reviving closed industrial units in Jharkhand, ensuring employment for thousands

Modi to hold roadshow and rallies in Jharkhand on Nov 10

RANCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a mega roadshow of about five km after addressing election rallies at Chandnkiyari in Bokaro and Gumla on November 10. This will mark his second visit to Jharkhand as the BJP seeks to consolidate its position in the state. First phase of polls is scheduled to take place on November 13 and second phase will be held on November 20, while the counting of votes will take place on November 23. Modis road show is expected to start at OTC Ground, proceeding to New Market Chowk in Ranchian area regarded as a stronghold of the BJP. The location carries political significance, being the constituency of Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, as well as six-time Ranchi MLA CP Singh. The state administration has launched an extensive security operation, mapping all significant points and high-rise buildings along the route. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Chandankiyari, with Modi rallying support for BJP candidate and Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Amar Kumar Bauri. Chandankiyari has long been a contested seat, witnessing friction between the BJP and its former ally AJSU Party. Following a reallocation, the seat was retained by the BJP. Former Chandankiyari MLA and ex-minister Umakant Rajaks recent defection from AJSU to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has further reshuffled the regions political dynamics. Gumla on the other hand, is a critical constituency where former Union Minister Sudarshan Bhagat is contesting for the BJP. In the 2019 elections, the JMM secured Gumla and other nearby constituencies, prompting the BJP to rethink its strategy in tribal regions. Ahead of the visit of Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also visit Jharkhand on November 9 and will address three election rallies at Chhatarpur, Hazaribagh and Potka. Rahul Gandhi, however, will be visiting Jharkhand first time after the Assembly polls were declared and will address election rallies on November 8 and 9. Boycott state polls, says PLFI Registering their presence in Jharkhand after a long time, the Peoples Liberation Front of India (PLFI), an offshoot of CPI (Maoist), have put up posters near Ranchi and Khunti calling for a boycott of Assembly polls in Jharkhand. Challenging the police and the administration, the PLFI has put up posters. They were released by PLFIs central panel, and claimed the government has failed to serve the people and urged citizens to destroy rule of police admin.

BJP Leans on Modi for Jharkhand Campaign

NEW DELHI: The BJP is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis likely rally in Bokaro and a roadshow in Ranchi on November 10 to tilt the battle of narratives in the saffron partys favour as it labours to pin down the JMM on the illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis infiltration issue and faces dare from the incumbent to implement the Sarna Religious Code and 1932 Khatiyan Bill in Jharkhand. The BJP relies heavily on the Prime Ministers charisma to return to power in the poll-bound state. According to party sources, the Prime Minister is all set to visit the state for the second round of campaigning on Sunday. Though the schedule is not final yet, Mr Modi is likely to address a public rally at the Chandipur Football Ground in Chandankiyari in Bokaro district, where he will seek support for the partys candidate and Leader of the Opposition in Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Amar Bauri. The BJP candidates from the nearby constituencies will also be present during the Chandanakiyari rally. Later in the day, the Prime Minister will hold a roadshow in the state capital, Ranchi, the sources added. Earlier, Mr Modi held two rallies in Chaibasa and Garhwa on November 4, wherein he had accused the ruling coalition government of the JMM, the Congress and the RJD of supporting the Bangladeshi infiltrators for their votebank politics. In Jharkhand, while the BJP is attacking the ruling coalition on corruption, illegal infiltration and illegal conversion issues to woo the tribal voters, the JMM-led alliance is playing the Sarna Religious Code card. The JMM has been pitching for Sarna to be considered a separate tribal religious code. In an election rally at Torpa in Khunti district, the JMM MLA Kalpana Soren, the wife of chief minister Hemant Soren, dared the BJP-led Central government to implement the Sarna Religious Code and 1932 Khatiyan Bill passed by the state Assembly in Jharkhand. Aiming to counter the BJPs narratives of illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshis infiltrations against the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, the JMM has been pitching for these two pending and emotive demands of the Adivasi population. Both bills are pending with the Central government for final approval. In 2020, the JMM-led government passed a unanimous Assembly resolution on the 'Sarna Code for the inclusion of Sarna as a separate religion in the 2021 census and sent it to the Central government for approval. On November 11, last year, the Jharkhand Assembly unanimously passed the 1932-based domicile bill, which specifies that only individuals or their ancestors listed in the Khatiyan (land records) of 1932 or earlier will be recognised as local inhabitants of Jharkhand, entitling them to Class III and Class IV jobs in the state.

Jharkhand Assembly polls: BJP expels 30 leaders for contesting against party-nominated candidates

Chandrma Kumari from Palamu, Kumkum Devi from Hazaribag, Juli Devi from Dumka, Balwant Singh from Latehar, Arvind Singh from Kharswan, Banke Bihari from Hazaribag, Chitranjan Sao from Bokaro and Hazari Prasad Sahu were among those expelled from the party

Jharkhand: BJP expels 30 rebel leaders for going against party lines

RANCHI: Amid damage control measures taken by the party to prevent mass exodus of its leaders in Jharkhand, BJP on Tuesday expelled as many as 30 rebel leaders for going against the party line and filing their nominations against the officially nominated candidates in the upcoming Assembly polls. Under the direction of State BJP President Babulal Marandi, General Secretary and MP Dr Pradeep Verma has expelled the rebel leaders from the party for six years for contesting against officially nominated candidates, which goes against the partys policies. According to a press release issued by the BJP state office, the expelled leaders include: Chandrama Kumari from Palamu Kumkum Devi from Hazaribagh Lakshmi Devi from Palamu Julie Yadav from Dumka Balwant Singh from Latehar Arvind Singh from Kharsawan Bateshwar Mehta from Hazaribagh Bhaiyya Banke Bihari from Hazaribagh Chitranjan Sahu from Bokaro Colonel Sanjay Singh from Palamu Harsh Ajmera from Hazaribagh Hazari Prasad Sahu from Ranchi Rural Misir Kujur from Gumla Mistry Soren from Pakur Mukesh Kumar Shukla from Pakur Pushp Ranjan from Palamu Rajkumar Singh from Jamshedpur Metropolitan Ramavatar Kerketta from Ranchi Rural Ramdev Hembram from East Singhbhum Rameshwar Oraon from Lohardaga Santosh Paswan from Latehar Shivcharan Mahto from Pakur Shivshankar Badaik from Khunti Shiv Shankar Singh from Jamshedpur Surendra Modi from Hazaribagh Upendra Yadav from Garhwa Umesh Bharti from Chatra Vikas Singh from Jamshedpur Metropolitan Vimal Baitha from Jamshedpur Metropolitan Vinod Singh from Palamu

Congress Releases Final List For Jharkhand Assembly Polls

The Congress has released its final list of candidates for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, naming Shweta Singh from Bokaro and Ajay Dubey from Dhanbad.

Jharkhand Assembly elections: Congress names Bokaro, Dhanbad candidates

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren said that mothers and sisters in Jharkhand are getting the benefit of the Maiya Samman Yojana, and farmers loans have been waived and 200 units of free electricity have been provided.

Cyclone 'Dana' to make landfall tonight; Odisha, Bengal brace for heavy rainfall | UPDATES

The severe cyclonic storm 'Dana' is expected to make landfall between the Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early on Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (kmph). Several coastal districts across Odisha and Southern West Bengal will be impacted by heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). The cyclone will also bring heavy rainfall to parts of Jharkhand. TOP DEVELOPMENTS 1. (Odisha) Impact Zones : Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore categorised as high-risk zones with wind speeds up to 120 kmph; potential tidal surge up to 2 meters predicted. Extremely heavy rainfall expected in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur; light to moderate rain expected other parts of Odisha, with significant rainfall beginning October 23 evening. Odisha government targets relocating 10 lakh people from coastal areas; around 3-4 evacuated by Wednesday evening, with the rest to be moved by Thursday. All marine activities prohibited, including fishing, until the cyclone passes; all fishermen safely returned by Tuesday. 2. (Bengal) Impact Zones : Heavy to very heavy rainfall forecasted in multiple districts, with isolated areas facing extremely heavy rainfall (over 21 cm). Coastal districts, including South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and Howrah, are at high risk due to expected strong winds (100-110 kmph) and tidal surges. North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Hooghly, and Nadia are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with localised flooding possible in low-lying areas. Kolkata airport to suspend flight operations for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday in view of the possible impact of cyclone. 3. (Jharkhand) Impact Zones Southern and eastern districts, including East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Saraikela-Kharsawan, are likely to be most affected by heavy rainfall and strong winds. Areas near rivers in East Singhbhum and Dumka could face localised flooding due to the expected downpour. Winds of 60-70 kmph, along with heavy rainfall, may impact districts like Ranchi, Bokaro, and Dhanbad, leading to possible infrastructure damage and waterlogging ODISHA With Odisha at the eye of the storm, the state government is racing against time to execute a massive evacuation plan aimed at relocating about 10 lakh people in several coastal districts to safety. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said more than 30 percent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated to safe places by Wednesday evening in view of cyclone Dana that barrels towards the state's coastal region, threatening to impact nearly half of its population. The remaining people will be brought to safety by 11 am on Thursday, he said. While asserting that the state is fully prepared to face the calamity, Majhi assured the people that they are in safe hands. Do not panic and stay safe. You (people) are in safe hands, he said, adding that all arrangements have been made for the people at the cyclone shelters. The IMD said that cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port early Friday. The distance between Dhamara in Bhadrak district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district is around 70 km. It said that the landfall process will start from the night of October 24 and will continue till the morning of October 25. The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said and added that landfall is mostly a slow process, which usually takes around 5-6 hours. Therefore, heavy rainfall, wind and storm surge will reach the peak during the landfall time, which is between October 24 night and October 25 morning, he added. It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning of October 24 and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of October 24 to morning of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, the IMD said. Stating that Odisha is likely to face a multi-hazard situation when cyclone Dana makes landfall, Mohapatra said apart from heavy to very heavy rainfall and in places with extremely heavy rainfall and high velocity wind, the state is likely to encounter a tidal surge of up to 2 meters. IMD scientist Umashankar Das at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, warned that low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts are likely to be inundated and recommended that the government evacuate residents from these regions. According to IMD sources, wind velocity in the districts of Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore would be 100110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, along with extremely heavy rainfall and tidal surge during the landfall, which will take around four to five hours. The IMD has warned of uprooting of trees, breaking of tree branches, damage to kutcha houses, electric poles and other infrastructure. Meanwhile, the state government has categorised the vulnerable districts. While Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore are in high-risk zones, where wind velocity would remain at 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, Mayurbhanj would be in the second category, where wind speeds would be at 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph. Similarly, the districts of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Jajpur come under category three, where wind speeds would be at 60-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph. The districts of Puri, Khurda (comprising Bhubaneswar), Dhenkanal and Keonjhar come under category four, where wind speeds will be at 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph. To ensure the safety of the people, the state government has deployed 288 rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services. Districts that are also likely to be impacted include Angul, Nayagarh, Boudh, Ganjam, Deogarh and Sambalpur. The IMD also cautioned that Cyclone Dana would bring significant rainfall to the state, predicting light to moderate rain at most locations, with heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in isolated areas over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Khordha starting in the evening of October 23. On October 24 and 25, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several places, with isolated areas receiving extremely heavy rainfall (over 21 cm) in districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur, it added. The IMD has prohibited all marine activities, including fishing, in the Bay of Bengal until the cyclone has passed. All fishermen returned to the coast by Tuesday evening, said Pujari. Meanwhile, parts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts in Odisha experienced rain and adverse weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon, with the IMD saying that the outer bands of Cyclone Dana has begun to affect the eastern coastline. With the cyclone approaching fast towards the state's coast, several activities, including the functioning of the Orissa High Court, Biju Patnaik International Airport, ports at Paradip and Dhamara, all educational institutions, and others remain suspended in the wake of the impending calamity. WEST BENGAL The coastal districts of Bengal are experiencing moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds since the early hours of Thursday, while Kolkata woke up to an overcast sky and intermittent showers. Advising fishermen not to venture into the sea, the Met Department said gale wind with speeds reaching 90-100 kmph and gusting to 110 kmph is prevailing over the northwest Bay of Bengal. It warned that the wind speed over the area is likely to increase gradually to 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph till Friday morning, and decrease thereafter. The bulletin warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy downpour in isolated places in the south Bengal districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly districts on Thursday and Friday. Public transportation to and from Kolkata's suburbs may get affected from the evening, as Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled a large number of trains on Thursday and Friday in view of the cyclone. More than 170 express and passenger trains running through South Eastern Railway (SER) jurisdiction have been cancelled, an official said. The trains cancelled were scheduled to depart from their originating stations between October 23 and October 27, he said. Besides, the Eastern Railway (ER) will not operate any EMU local train from Sealdah station on its south and Hasnabad sections from 8 pm on Thursday till 10 am on Friday, the official said. The ER also cancelled 68 suburban trains on the Howrah division on Friday morning, he said. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said it is on high alert and has mobilised vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency over the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, the NDRF said it has deployed several teams across south Bengal to tackle any emergency situation. Ferry services in the Sunderbans area spread over North and South 24 Parganas districts and also across the Hooghly River in Kolkata and adjoining areas will remain cancelled in view of the impending inclement weather, officials said. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has also opened a control room at its headquarters and cancelled the leaves of all essential staff. JHARKHAND Parts of Jharkhand could experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from Thursday night under the influence of cyclonic storm 'Dana', a Met Department official said. An 'orange' alert has been issued in the Kolhan region (West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharswan, and East Singhbhum districts) for Friday, he said. This category of alert indicates heavy rainfall ranging from 115 mm to 204 mm in 24 hours, the official said. Apart from heavy rain, the region might also experience thunderstorms and gusty winds with speeds of up to 60 kmph, Ranchi Meteorological Centre in-charge Abhishek Anand said. Six teams of the NDRF have been deployed in Jamshedpur and Chaibasa, while two teams were kept on standby in Ranchi to deal with any emergency situation, another official said. Several parts of central Jharkhand, including Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla and Ramgarh, may also experience heavy rainfall on Friday, Anand said. Light to moderate rainfall is likely in many parts of the state on Thursday, with forecast of heavy rainfall in the Kolhan division, under the influence of the cyclonic system, he said. The inclement weather is also likely to impact political activities underway for the upcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand, scheduled to be held in two phases -- November 13 and November 20 -- with the counting of votes on November 23.

ONGC May Set Up Mini-LNG Plants Across Five States To Evacuate Gas From Isolated Fields

It has identified two sites at Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, one each at Ankleshwar and Cambay in Gujarat, and one in Jharkhand's Bokaro to set up the plants.

NBCC gets Rs 198 cr to supply, install rooftop solar system at SAIL steel plant in Bokaro

New Delhi, Oct 10: State-owned NBCC has bagged a Rs 198 crore contract to supply and install rooftop solar system at SAILs steel plant at Bokaro in Jharkhand. In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, NBCC said it has secured a contract from SAIL Bokaro Steel Plant for designing, supplying and installation of rooftop solar system. The value of the work order is Rs 198 crore. On Wednesday, NBCC got a Rs 50 crore contract to construct a sports complex in [] The post NBCC gets Rs 198 cr to supply, install rooftop solar system at SAIL steel plant in Bokaro appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Ranchi Diary: Residential schools for labourers children

Congress begins Jan Samvad Abhiyan To counter BJPs Parivartan Yatra, Jharkhand Congress, a part of the ruling coalition (with JMM and RJD), started Jan Samvad Abhiyan on Friday in Ranchi and Bokaro. Partys senior leaders have been entrusted for all the five divisions of the state Kolhan, Santhal Pargana, North Chhotanagpur, South Chhotanagpur and Palamu. The Jan Samvad Abhiyan, which aims to listen to both grievances and suggestions of the common masses, would be held in several phases. In the first phase, 33 assembly constituencies will be covered, wherein senior party leaders will camp in the divisions and hold meeting with general masses. Residential schools for labourers children With an intention to provide free education to the children of labourers, the state government plans to establish labour residential schools in all 24 districts of Jharkhand. The initiative was revealed by CM Hemant Soren recently during the Jharkhand Skill Conclave held in Dhanbad. He said the training programs initiated by the Labour Department have empowered states youth with skills that makes them eligible for jobs in multinational companies. Highlighting his governments efforts, he expressed his dedication to ensure jobs to the skilled youth. Lone NCP legislator joins BJP amid opposition Despite opposition from the BJP cadres, lone NCP legislator from Hussainabad, Kamlesh Singh, joined BJP on Friday. He took party membership in presence of BJPs election co-in-charge Hemant Biswa Sarma at the state party headquarters in Ranchi. There was continuous opposition by local BJP leaders of Hussainabad, from where Kamlesh Singh belongs to, before his joining the party. The seven Mandal presidents had demanded earlier that Kamlesh should not be inducted into the BJP. They alleged that in the last five years, he had sent many BJP workers to jail in Hussainabad assembly constituency by implicating them in false cases. Mukesh Ranjan Our correspondent in Jharkhand mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com

SAIL members okay move to undertake material related transactions with JVs

Shareholders of SAIL have passed a resolution to authorise its board to undertake 'material-related party transactions' up to Rs 9,000 crore with NTPC-SAIL Power Company, an exchange filing said Thursday. NTPC-SAIL Power Company is a joint venture between power generation company NTPC and steel maker SAIL. The resolution was passed by the members of the company at its 52 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the national capital. The resolution was passed o authorise the board to carry out the material related party transactions with NTPC-SAIL Power Company for an aggregate value of up to Rs 9,000 crore from April 1, till the AGM to be held in FY26, SAIL said in the filing. Another resolution was passed to authorise the board to carry out material related party transactions with Bokaro Power Supply Company for an aggregate value of up to Rs 4,500 crore from April 1, 2024 till FY26. Bokaro Power Supply Company is a joint venture between DVC and SAIL. The shareholders also passed a ..

Goods train derails near Bokaro; 15 trains diverted

RANCHI: Two wagons of a goods train derailed near Tupkadih station in Jharkhand's Bokaro affecting movement of trains, an official said on Thursday. Fifteen trains have been diverted on the route. Two wagons of a goods trains carrying steel consignment derailed near Tupkadih station in Bokaro district last night at about 9 pm. We have diverted 15 trains including 14 express trains, Sumit Narula, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Adra division of South Eastern Railway, told PTI. The goods train was carrying steel consignment from Bokaro Steel Plant and overturned on the main line between Tupkadih and Bokaro stations. The incident occurred near the northern cabin yard of Tupkadih station and affected train movement on the Bokaro-Gomo section. One of the impacted lines has been rectified while work is underway to restore the other line to ensure smooth traffic, Narula said. Meanwhile, South East Railways in a bulletin said that the train got derailed at TKB yard over point no 102, blocking up and down both lines. The trains which were affected included Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express, Ranchi-Bhagalpur Vananchal Express, Hatia-Patna-Ranchi-Kamakhya, Ranchi-Lokmanya Tilak Express and Ranchi-Dhanbad intercity. Several trains remained stranded causing inconvenience to passengers. Meanwhile, railways has ordered an inquiry into the derailment.

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

Transforming Jharkhand: Central Govt's Development Initiatives Under PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to drive India's infrastructure transformation, recently flagging off three new Vande Bharat Express trains, connecting Jharkhand with major cities across the country. On September 15, PM Modi virtually launched these modern trains from Tatanagar, extending India's semi-high-speed rail network. The newly introduced routesTatanagar-Patna, Deoghar-Varanasi, and Tatanagar-Berhampurwill significantly enhance both intra- and inter-state connectivity. The Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express will complete the journey in approximately seven hours, running six days a week. Additionally, the Deoghar-Varanasi route, connecting two major pilgrimage centers, is expected to boost religious tourism and improve Jharkhand's railway infrastructure. These infrastructure projects reflect the Central Government's dedication to improving Jharkhands connectivity, industry, and overall development. While the state government under Hemant Soren's leadership has faced challenges in fully capitalizing on these advancements, the BJP is positioning itself to spearhead Jharkhands journey toward greater prosperity. Expanding Railway Connectivity The Modi government has been pivotal in enhancing Jharkhands railway network. The introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains on routes such as Ranchi-Patna and Ranchi-Howrah has reduced travel time, facilitating business, education, and personal travel. Key projects like the Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori railway line renovation and electrification have boosted efficiency in both freight and passenger services. Modernizing railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has further positioned Jharkhand as a future logistics and transit hub. Airport Development: Elevating Jharkhands Connectivity The 2022 inauguration of Deoghar Airport was a significant achievement, linking Jharkhand to India's aviation network and supporting religious tourism. Upcoming projects such as Bokaro and Dumka airports are expected to further integrate the state into national and international flight routes, creating jobs and boosting the economy. Sahibganj Multi-Modal Terminal: Strengthening Trade Inaugurated in 2019 under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, the Sahibganj Multi-Modal Terminal has bolstered cargo movement by connecting waterways, rail, and road networks. Situated along the Ganga River, this terminal has made transporting goods between Jharkhand, Varanasi, Haldia, and Nepal more efficient. The expansion of its cargo capacity from 30 lakh to 55 lakh tons underscores the government's long-term vision for Jharkhands role as a strategic hub for trade and exports. Industrial Growth and Economic Development Jharkhand's abundant resources have played a key role in the Central Governments drive for industrial growth. Initiatives like LPG bottling plants in Bokaro and Barhi have boosted local energy production and created job opportunities. The Sindri Nano Urea Plant addresses a crucial gap in the agricultural sector by reducing dependence on urea imports, benefiting farmers in Jharkhand and surrounding regions. The state's integration into major industrial frameworks like the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor is set to accelerate industrial development and lower transportation costs, strengthening Jharkhand's economic foundation. Advancements in Education and Healthcare The Modi government's commitment to social development extends to improving education and healthcare in Jharkhand. Programs like Eklavya Model Residential Schools offer quality education to tribal children, helping bridge the gap in educational access in rural areas. PM SHRI Schools have modernized numerous schools, providing students with enhanced infrastructure, smart classrooms, and computer labs. Healthcare access has significantly improved with the establishment of AIIMS Deoghar, providing advanced medical services that previously required travel to distant cities. The Ayushman Bharat Scheme has provided free healthcare to millions, while Jan Aushadhi Kendras offer affordable medicines to the underprivileged. Empowering Tribal Communities Prime Minister Modis government has prioritized the empowerment of tribal communities through dedicated schemes in education, healthcare, and economic development. Projects like the construction of Birsa Munda Smriti Park and the GI tag recognition of Hazaribagh's Sohrai and Khovar art celebrate Jharkhand's rich cultural heritage. Improvements in housing, roads, and infrastructure in tribal areas have further uplifted marginalized populations. A Vision for Jharkhands Future With the BJP positioning itself as a leader for Jharkhand's future, the Central Government's development initiatives provide a clear roadmap for progress. The people of Jharkhand, having experienced the benefits of the Centre's policies, are poised to welcome a new era of growth and self-reliance under the leadership of the BJP. From Varanasi to Agra in 7-hrs: All You Need to Know About New VandeBharat Train PM Modi Flags Off Namo Bharat Rapid Rail: THESE Routes to Cover Key Destinations Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express: Travel in Just 8 Hours Details Here

Bhopal: ED conducts searches in RGPV fraud case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches and frozen funds to the tune of Rs 1.90 crore as part of a money laundering probe into alleged irregularities at the Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), a Bhopal-based premier engineering institute. The raids were carried out on Monday at premises in Bhopal, and Sohagpur and Pipariya in Narmadapuram district, and Ranchi and Bokaro in Jharkhand. The searches covered the residential premises of the key persons of the university including that of ex-Vice Chancellor (Dr Sunil Kumar), ex-registrar and ex-finance controller. Incriminating documents and details of immovable and movable properties were seized, the federal agency said in a statement. The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the Bhopal Police against the former office bearers of the university over alleged embezzlement and diversion of Rs 20 crore of the institute to private persons and trusts. Bank accounts' analysis found that the funds were diverted for the purpose of investment in property, fixed deposit receipts, mutual funds, and jewellery, the agency said. The ED added that the role of the university office bearers in connivance with the bank employees has also come to the fore.

BJP spreads poison in society in name of religion, love jihad, flood jihad: Hemant Soren

RANCHI: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday accused the BJP of spreading poison' in society under the pretext of religion, caste, love jihad, and flood jihad. He also claimed that there is a conspiracy underway to undermine the reservations for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The chief minister made these remarks while addressing a government function in Hazaribag, where he transferred the first instalment of Rs 1,000 to the accounts of women beneficiaries under the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana (JMMSY) scheme. A total of Rs 139.40 crore was transferred to the accounts of 13.94 lakh beneficiaries of seven districts - Hazaribag, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih, Koderma, Ramgarh and Chatra - on the occasion. Making a scathing attack on the BJP, Soren said, BJP imports leaders from Assam, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, as its leaders here are not able to handle Jharkhand. These leaders are spreading poison in the society in the name of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christianity, forward and backwards. Hitting out at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma without taking his name, Soren said, Recently a BJP CM named the flood that his state was facing, as 'flood jihad'. Interestingly, they are now finding Hindu-Muslim, forward, backwards, tribal and Dalit even in water. Wide protest from media bodies against CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for targeting scribe's religious identity Sometimes, they say love jihad, Shiksha (education) jihad and now flood jihad. Beware of such people, Soren said. The CM further alleged that a conspiracy is going on to snatch the reservation of tribals and Dalits. A Bharat bandh call was given on Wednesday in protest against this, he said. In a much-planned manner, the government (central) is preparing to usurp the rights of tribal, Dalits, OBCs and minority people in the country, Soren alleged. He further alleged that the previous double-engine government did not do anything for the social security of the people. Jharkhand is one of the backward states. Society security should have been the utmost priority after the formation of the state. But our opposition remained focused on the security of businessmen without paying any attention to social security, he said. He said that his government is committed to the development of the state and claimed that he would take Jharkhand at par with the development of Delhi and Mumbai in his next tenure.