4 West Bengal Pilgrims Killed in Dhanbad Accident on Way to Maha Kumbh

Car Crashes Into Parked Truck on NH-2; Four Injured, Hospitalised

Jharkhand: 4 from West Bengal killed in road accident in Dhanbad on way to Maha Kumbh

Four people from West Bengal died in a collision with a parked truck while on their way to Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. The accident occurred on National Highway 2 in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district around 1.30 am, resulting in four others being injured and admitted to the hospital.

PMLA court rejects EDs plea to bar IAS officer Pooja Singhal from government posting

RANCHI: In a significant relief to IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who is accused in a money laundering case linked to the MGNREGA scam, the special PMLA court in Ranchi on Friday rejected the Enforcement Directorates (ED) petition seeking to bar her from receiving any government posting. The special PMLA court, after hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, had reserved its verdict, which was pronounced on Friday. The ED, following the revocation of Singhals suspension, had argued that granting her a government role could allow her to misuse her position and influence the case. However, the court dismissed EDs concerns, stating, It is the state governments prerogative to give any posting to Pooja Singhal or not, and the court will not interfere in it. Singhal, a 2000-batch IAS officer, was arrested on 11 May 2022 after a 15-hour interrogation by the ED in connection with alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds and other charges. She remained in jail for 28 months before being granted bail by a special PMLA court in Ranchi on 7 December 2024. IAS Pooja Singhal's appointment to key Jharkhand posts despite ED objection sparks row Following her release, the Jharkhand government reinstated her with effect from the date of her release. In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, Singhal was appointed Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and e-Governance, along with an additional charge as Chief Executive Officer of Jharkhand Communication Network Ltd. (JCN), Ranchi, on Tuesday. On 29 January, the PMLA court sought approval from the Jharkhand government to prosecute her in the money laundering case linked to the siphoning of MGNREGA funds during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner in Khunti. Prior to her arrest, the ED had conducted raids at 18 locations, including her premises, across Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, the National Capital Region (NCR), and multiple districts in Jharkhand, such as Ranchi, Khunti, and Dhanbad. The investigation pertains to an alleged embezzlement of over Rs 18 crore in MGNREGA funds in Khunti district between 2008 and 2011. Singhal has also been accused of irregularities during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner in Chatra, where she allegedly paid Rs 6 crore in advance to two NGOsWelfare Point and Prerna Niketanfor musli farming, which was never carried out. Additionally, while serving as Deputy Commissioner in Palamu, she was charged with transferring 83 acres of forest land to a private company for mining, a case linked to the Kathautia Coal Mines. ED requests special court to not post IAS Pooja Singhal in departments under Jharkhand government

SCB conducts Odisha's first bone marrow transplant on two-year-old

CUTTACK: Doctors at the clinical hematology department of SCB medical college and hospital here have successfully conducted allogenic bone marrow transplant (BMT) on a two-year-old baby girl suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The patient, Aliza Naaz, is the youngest patient to undergo BMT in the state. The stem cell donor is the patient's four-year-old elder sister, Aatifa. The patient Aliza, daughter of Shahrukh Ansari of Dhanbad in Jharkhand, was diagnosed with AML at Tata Memorial Hospital, Jamshedpur, in August last year. She underwent chemotherapy but the disease persisted. With her condition deemed high-risk, she was advised to undergo allogenic BMT at the last option. Her human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the marker of compatibility with donor, matched a perfect 100 per cent with her elder sister Aatifa. Though she was initially referred to a more expensive medical centre for the transplant, the family was advised to go to SCBMCH where the procedure was provided completely free of cost. The BMT costs around Rs 30 Lakh at other hospitals. The patient was admitted on January 7 this year and a BMT team was constituted under chief BMT physician Prof RK Jena with associate professor and HoD Dr Sudha Sethy, Dr Manmohan Biswal and Dr Pratichi Das. Two senior faculty from paediatrics department Prof Geeta Sethy and Dr Anwesha Das were roped in to help with the procedure. Aatifa was admitted on January 28 for donating stem cell. This proved the most challenging aspect of the BMT as she is just four years old and does not possess the blood volume for operating the aphaeresis machine. We used same group blood to prime the machine and then collected stem cell from Aatifa. The collection was satisfactory and successfully transplanted in Aliza on February 7, Prof Jena said. Post BMT, all her parameters are fine as on Day 12 on Wedenesday and is expected to be discharged in a week. Expressing gratitude to the doctors and the government, the patients uncle Minhaz Ansari said, they had lost all hope till they reached SCBMCH. We could not have afforded the money required for BMT at other centres. Here, thanks to the state government, we did not have to spend a rupee. The entire team led by Prof Jena took great care and made it a success, he said. The BMT unit opened in 2014, has conducted 176 procedures as on date with a success rate of more than 80 per cent on above two-year survival range. The BMT on Aliza is a landmark. It creates opportunities for cure of many children with not only blood cancer but also other blood diseases like thalassemia, sickle cell disease, aplastic anaemia, etc. These diseases taken together are huge, inflicting a significant socio-economic burden on our state, Prof Jena said.

Kumbh Mela crowd: A day after Delhi stampede, five women faint at Ranchi railway station

RANCHI: A day after the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station which claimed 18 lives, chaos ensued at Ranchi railway station on Sunday as a huge crowd of passengers gathered to board trains bound for UP and Delhi. According to the eyewitnesses, when 12817 Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express reached Ranchi station, it was already full of passengers. Ticketless passengers had boarded the train and locked the doors from inside. Those who were waiting to travel in the train with tickets were seen pleading with them to open the doors. The RPF jawans tried to enter the bogies but did not succeed. Although some passengers with genuine tickets managed to enter some bogies, more than 60 passengers could not catch the train. A group of 18 women did not board the train due to fear of suffocation. Meanwhile, five women in the group fainted due to suffocation in the crowd. Others in the group separated them from the crowd and took them to a safe place. Many passengers boarded the train but their family members were left behind at the station. According to senior railway officials, proper monitoring is being done and RPF have been deputed at all railway stations. The commercial department has been asked to issue tickets as per the capacity of the trains. Referring to the rush at Ranchi railway station, they said that due to Sunday many devotees were travelling Kumbh, due to which there was a rush but it was under control. Ranchi Railway Division DRM Jasmit Singh Bindra said that there is a lot of crowd in the trains due to Kumbh. Due to the excessive crowd in the Swarn Jayanti train, some passengers missed the train, whose tickets will be refunded. According to DRM, they have written to the South-East Railway Headquarters and sought permission to run the Kumbh Special train on 19 February. Instructions have been given to the RPF Commandant to provide convenience to the passengers at the station, he said. New Delhi stampede: Rail Bhavan gets into huddle Meanwhile, following the tragic stampede at New Delhi railway Station on Saturday, Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta has called a meeting with senior police and railway officials to discuss the safety measures to control and safeguard the crowd. According to sources in the police headquarters, the meeting was convened on Monday evening through video conferencing with the SSPs of Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad. Preparations for security arrangements at major railway stations was discussed during the meeting keeping in mind the increasing number of passengers during the Kumbh Mela. The officials further added that the deployment of officers for comprehensive ticket checking, crowd management and measures to work together with railway officials and RPF to avoid stampede was also reviewed during the meeting. 'Confusing announcements triggered stampede': Delhi police say after initial probe

Chaos at Ranchi railway station, five women faint; DGG Anurag Gupta to meet with police, officials

RANCHI: Following the tragic stampede at New Delhi railway Station on Saturday, Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta has called a meeting with senior police and railway officials to discuss the safety measures to control and safeguard the crowd. According to sources in the police headquarters, the meeting will be conducted at 4 pm on Monday through video conferencing with the SSPs of Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad. ADG (Rail), all zonal IGs, DIGs, SSPs and SPs of Ranchi, Dhanbad, Palamu, Bokaro, Garhwa, Koderma, Ramgarh, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa districts, will also be present in this meeting, informed a senior police official. Preparations for security arrangements at major railway stations will be discussed during the meeting keeping in mind the increasing number of passengers during the Kumbh Mela, he added. The officials further added that the deployment of officers for comprehensive ticket checking, crowd management and measures to work together with railway officials and RPF to avoid stampede will also be reviewed during the meeting. Chaos ensued at Ranchgi railway station on Sunday as a huge crowd of passengers gathered to board trains bound for UP and Delhi. According to the eyewitnesses, when 12817 Jharkhand Swarna Jayanti Express reached Ranchi station, it was already full of passengers. Ticketless passengers board the train and had closed the gate from inside. Those who were waiting to travel in the train with tickets were seen pleading with them to open the gate. The RPF jawans tried to enter the bogies but did not succeed. Although some passengers with genuine tickets managed to enter some bogies, more than 60 passengers could not catch the train. Ticketless passengers had occupied everything from seats to toilets and the gates of the train. A group of 18 women did not board the train due to fear of suffocation. Meanwhile, five women in the group fainted due to suffocation in the crowd. Others in the group separated them from the crowd and took them to a safe place. Many passengers boarded the train but their family members were left behind at the station. According to senior railway officials, proper monitoring is being done and RPF have been deputed at all railway stations. The commercial department has been asked to issue tickets as per the capacity of the trains. Referring to the rush at Ranchi railway station, they said that due to Sunday many devotees were travelling Kumbh, due to which there was a rush but it was under control. Ranchi Railway Division DRM Jasmit Singh Bindra said that there is a lot of crowd in the trains due to Kumbh. Due to the excessive crowd in the Swarn Jayanti train, some passengers missed the train, whose tickets will be refunded. According to DRM, they have written to the South-East Railway Headquarters and sought permission to run the Kumbh Special train on 19 February. Instructions have been given to the RPF Commandant to provide convenience to the passengers at the station, he said.

IIT ISM Dhanbad Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 10 Junior Superintendent Posts

IIT Indian School of Mines Dhanbad (IIT ISM Dhanbad) has recruits 10 Junior Superintendent Posts. Candidates With Any Bachelors Degree, M.Com Can Apply Online from 30-01-2025 to 16-03-2025.

IIT ISM Dhanbad Junior Superintendent Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 10 Posts

IIT Indian School of Mines Dhanbad (IIT ISM Dhanbad) has recruits 10 Junior Superintendent Posts. Candidates With Any Bachelors Degree, M.Com Can Apply Online from 30-01-2025 to 16-03-2025.

ED requests special court to not post IAS Pooja Singhal in departments under Jharkhand government

RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has requested the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court to ensure that senior IAS officer and former Mines Secretary Pooja Singhal is not posted in any department under the state government. The ED claimed that if Singhal is given responsibility of any department in the state government, she may misuse her position and influence the ongoing case against her. Earlier on January 29, the PMLA court had sought approval from the Jharkhand government to prosecute her in a money laundering case linked to the siphoning of MNREGA funds during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner in Khunti. A 2000-batch IAS officer, Singhal was arrested for allegedly embezzling crores of MGNREGA funds in Khunti. Singhal, after remaining in jail for 28 months, was granted bail by a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Ranchi on December 7, 2024. Following her release on bail, the state government revoked her suspension and reinstated her with effect from December 7, 2024. She has since rejoined the Department of Personnel and is awaiting a new posting. However, the petition issued by the ED raises suspicion over the reinstatement of Singhal in the same department. Meanwhile, a reply from Pooja Singhal has already been filed in this regard and the court will be hearing the case next on February 14. Before her arrest, ED had conducted raids at several locations in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged embezzlement of over Rs 18 crore MGNREGA funds in Khunti district during 2008-2011. The raids were conducted at a total of 18 locations including Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, NCR as well as Ranchi, Khunti and Dhanbad in Jharkhand. Singhal, as Chatra Deputy Commissioner, had also been accused of paying Rs 6 crore in advance to the two NGOs Welfare Point and Prerna Niketan for musli farming, which, actually was never done. In addition to that, while being Deputy Commissioner in Palamu, she was charged of transferring 83 acres of forest land to a private company for mining, a matter which is related to Kathautia Coal Mines. According ED, Rs 1.43 crore more than the known sources of her income were recovered from the bank accounts of Pooja Singhal while she was Deputy Commissioner in Khunti, Palamu and Chatra. The ED also claimed that Singhal purchased as many as 13 insurance policies by paying a premium of Rs 80.81 lakh and closed them before the completion of their tenure and got Rs 84.64 lakh against it. The ED also informed that Singhal transferred Rs 16.57 lakh to the three bank accounts related to CA Suman Kumar. The ED is said to have gathered sufficient primary evidence to suggest that she is in close connection with CA Sunman Kumar and had financial transactions with him. Jharkhand HC closes PIL seeking ED probe against IAS Pooja Singhal

'Ishq Na Kario' Releases: Abhishek Kumar takes his first step in cinema

The romantic track Ishq Na Kario is out, marking actor Abhishek Kumar's on-screen debut. Released by Dhanbad Talkiez and produced by Rajessh Singh, the song showcases Kumar's transition from theatre to cinema.

UP Govt Takes Action Against 14 'X' Accounts For Spreading Misinformation About Mahakumbh

The Uttar Pradesh government acted against 14 social media accounts on platform X for spreading misleading content about Maha Kumbh, falsely linking an old Dhanbad video.

Centre-state panel to calculate actual amount of outstanding dues to Jharkhand

RANCHI: State Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore on Friday met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Coal Minister Kishan Reddy over the payment of outstanding dues to Jharkhand. He handed them a written memorandum demanding the outstanding dues of Rs 1,36000 crore related to the coal mining sector. He also urged for payment of the outstanding dues as soon as possible. The Union Coal Minister has asked the officials to form a panel to calculate the exact amount of dues to Jharkhand so that positive steps could be taken to clear it as soon as possible. The Union Coal Minister directed Additional Secretary of Coal Ministry, Smita Pradhan to form a team of officials from the Union Coal Ministry and Ministry of Mines and Geology under the Government of Jharkhand as soon as possible, Radhakrishna Kishore said. The Coal Minister Kishan Reddy had assured that the amount belongs to Jharkhand and the actual dues would be calculated with practicality and provided to the state, he added. Earlier, Chief Minister Hemant Soren while addressing the gathering on JMMs 53rd Foundation Day in Dhanbad on Tuesday had given a strict warning to the Central Public Sector Undertakings to pay the outstanding dues of Rs 1.36 lakh crore. Soren said that a letter has been written to demand the dues and legal ways will also be adopted to protect the rights of the people of Jharkhand. He expressed that they will not hesitate to close the coal mines if outstanding dues are not paid. BJP on the other hand, reaffirming its commitment to ensure that Jharkhand receives its rightful dues, it questioned the origin of the figure of Rs 1.36 lakh crore repeatedly cited by the Chief Minister and JMM. State BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo pointed out that the state government has included approximately Rs 60,000 crore of interest as part of the compensation amount, even though the Supreme Court had prohibited state governments from claiming interest on outstanding dues. Shahdeo emphasised that according to the judgment, states will receive their outstanding dues in 12 instalments over 12 years. He cited Point 27.2 of the Supreme Court order, which specifies that the instalment payments will begin on April 1, 2026, and continue until April 1, 2037. He further referred to Point 27.3 of the same judgment, which explicitly states that no interest or penalty will be imposed before July 25, 2024. According to Pratul, the Chief Minister had made several populist promises during the elections, requiring an estimated expenditure of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore in the next five years. Since the state lacks internal resources to generate this revenue, schemes like Maiyaan Samman Yojana --which initially promised benefits to all eligible women -- have now been modified to include eligibility criteria. The Chief Minister is aware that he cannot fulfil these election promises and is therefore fabricating a misleading narrative about the Rs1.36 lakh crore allegedly owed by the Centre, said Shahdeo. This is nothing but an attempt to deceive the people of Jharkhand. According to government sources, out of the total amount of Rs 1, 36, 000 crore, Rs 1, 01, 142 crore is due as land compensation, Rs 32,000 crore under Common Cause and Rs 2500 crore are due as coal royalty. he added. Notably, Jharkhand gets the highest royalty of about Rs 5500 crore from coal. About Rs 3200 crore royalties is obtained from iron ore with the remaining royalty is received from gold, uranium, stone, limestone, copper and other minerals.

Jharkhand to reclaim closed coal mines: CM Hemant Soren on JMMs 53rd foundation day

RANCHI: Chief Minister Hemant Soren, while addressing a gathering at Dhanbad on the occasion of the 53rd foundation day of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday, announced that the state will take control of all closed coal mines in the state to promote regional development. During his speech, Soren strongly criticized the central government for handing over closed coal mines to private entities, asserting that Jharkhand would not allow this at any cost. He emphasized that water, land, and forests in the state belong to the people of Jharkhand and vowed to reclaim closed coal mines where mining operations have already been concluded. If required, he said, the government will introduce new laws to regain control over these lands. The chief minister also said that there are a lot of coal mines that had ceased mining operations but, had still not returned to the state. He further said that Jharkhand's progress depends on the development of its villages, and the well-being of villagers is crucial for the state's growth. To empower women and promote self-reliance, the state government has launched several welfare schemes, including the Maiyya Samman Yojana. According to Soren, Maiyya Samman Yojana, scheme has become a model for other states. He noted that the BJP had included it in its campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections, and similar announcements were being made in Bihar. Expressing disappointment with the Union Budget, Soren said that the state had high expectations but received nothing. He accused that central government for neglecting the state's financial needs. The central government does not talk about grants to states but instead imposes and increases taxes, he said. Earlier on Sunday during foundation day programme in Dumka, the JMM passed 50-point resolution demanding Chief Minister Hemant Soren to reject of CAA, UCC and NRC in Jharkhand. Besides demanding the rejection of CAA, UCC and NRC from Jharkhand , the proposal also demanded strict implementation of the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act and Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act. Additionally, it urged the establishment of a High Court Bench in Dumka under Section 25(3) of the Bihar State Reorganisation Bill 2000. Notably, this was the first time that JMM observed its foundation day during the daytime in Dhanbad. Since its formation in 1973, by Shibu Soren, Binod Bihari Mahto, and A.K. Roy, the foundation day was traditionally observed during the night, except during the COVID-19 period.

Missing for 27 years, Jharkhand man who turned sadhu 'spotted' by kin at Kumbh Mela

RANCHI: While the Kumbh Mela is largely known for the separation of family members, the opposite has happened with a family from Jharkhand. Gangasagar Yadav (65), a resident of Bhuli in Dhanbad, who went missing 27 years ago, was allegedly spotted there, living as an Aghori Sadhu with a Sadhvi. According to Vimlesh Yadav, Gangasagars younger son, a relative who visited the Kumbh Mela spotted him there. The relative took a photograph and sent it to the family in Dhanbad. After looking at the picture, he rushed along with his mother Dhanwa Devi and his younger brother Kamlesh to the Kumbh Mela, where his father was identified by his mother. Despite their insistence, the man who now identifies himself as Baba Rajkumar Aghori refused to recognize Dhanwa Devi as his wife or Kamlesh and Vimlesh as his sons. His family, however, is certain about his identity, pointing to distinguishing features such as his long teeth and a scar on his forehead. Dhanwa Devi, along with their two sons and his brothers, has been camping at Kumbh Nagar, trying to persuade him to acknowledge his old identity. After his denial, some of the family members have returned home, while others remain at the Kumbh Mela, closely monitoring him and his Sadhvi. After the festival concludes, they plan to seek a DNA test to prove themselves right. We have given an application to the Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday for a DNA test in order to find out whether our claim is right or wrong. The Deputy Commissioner has asked us to come on Monday, said Vimlesh Yadav. If they turn out to be wrong, then they will unconditionally apologize to the Aghori, he added. According to Dhanwa Devi, Gangasagar went to Patna in 1998 and never returned. Relatives searched for him across Bihar and other states but found no trace. My husband Gangasagar Yadav was in the cattle business. One morning, he left the family and was untraceable. We searched a lot but could not find him. We thought we would never find him again but recently someone informed that he was spotted in the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, she said. At that time, my elder son was only two years old, while my younger son was still in the womb, she added. After getting the information, I went to Prayagraj on January 26 along with my sons and other family members. After searching for long, we finally found him there. I recognised him as soon as I saw him and kept pleading with him to come home with us, but he pretended to be a stranger. He did not recognise me and kept on chanting the name of Mahadev, said Dhanwa Devi.

One dead, six injured in house explosion at Sheetalpur in Jharkhand's Giridih

RANCHI: A woman died and six others were injured after the roof of the house collapsed in an explosion at Sheetalpur in Giridihearly in the wee hours on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Bednati Devi. The injured include Umesh Das, his wife Sabita Devi, their sons Sandeep and Sunny, daughter Lakshmi, and father-in-law. According to local resident Sunil Paswan, the blast was so intense that the walls of the house were damaged, and the roof was blown into the air. Paswan speculated that an old land dispute involving the house owner, Umesh Das, might be connected to the incident, though this has yet to be confirmed. Officer-in-charge of Mufassil police station, Shyam Kishore Mahto said, A fire broke out following the blast, which also caused a wall of the house to collapse. A woman died on the spot, and six others were seriously injured. The injured were initially taken to Sadar hospital for treatment. After receiving first aid, they were referred to a hospital in Dhanbad and later transferred to RIMS for advanced medical care. Mahto further said that the reason for the explosion is still unclear, and an FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team has been dispatched to the site for further investigation. The case remains under scrutiny, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the blast.

One dead, six injured in house explosion at Sheetalpur in Ranchi

RANCHI: A woman died and six others were injured after the roof of the house collapsed in an explosion at Sheetalpur in Giridihearly in the wee hours on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Bednati Devi. The injured include Umesh Das, his wife Sabita Devi, their sons Sandeep and Sunny, daughter Lakshmi, and father-in-law. According to local resident Sunil Paswan, the blast was so intense that the walls of the house were damaged, and the roof was blown into the air. Paswan speculated that an old land dispute involving the house owner, Umesh Das, might be connected to the incident, though this has yet to be confirmed. Officer-in-charge of Mufassil police station, Shyam Kishore Mahto said, A fire broke out following the blast, which also caused a wall of the house to collapse. A woman died on the spot, and six others were seriously injured. The injured were initially taken to Sadar hospital for treatment. After receiving first aid, they were referred to a hospital in Dhanbad and later transferred to RIMS for advanced medical care. Mahto further said that the reason for the explosion is still unclear, and an FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team has been dispatched to the site for further investigation. The case remains under scrutiny, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the blast.

Vande Bharats 1st female loco pilot gets R-Day invite

RANCHI: Ritika Tirkey, the first female tribal assistant loco pilot of the Vande Bharat Express, was left speechless when she opened her door to a team of Post Office officials who had come to deliver an invitation for the At Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan. According to 27-year-old Tirkey, she had never thought in her wildest dreams that the President would ever invite her as a loco pilot. When she received an e-mail, she thought it to be fake, but a formal invitation from the Rashtrapti Bhawan left her dumbfounded. The invite was delivered to Ritikas residence at Jugsalai in Jamshedpur by the postman under the supervision of Assistant Postal Superintendent (West) Parikshit Seth. Initially, when I received the e-mail, I thought it to be fake, but when a team from the Post Office knocked on my door, it overwhelmed me, said Tirkey. It is an honour that a tribal girl from a simple family has got this unique opportunity, she added. This honour comes as recognition of her outstanding achievements in a male-dominated field, where she has broken barriers to carve a path for women in the Indian Railways. The Rashtrapati Bhawan has invited me as a woman achiever and I believe that every woman should be independent. I think women have been working in almost every field, and where they have not, will reach very soon, said Tirkey. No work is small in this world; the only pre-condition is that it should be done with complete dedication, and then success is bound to follow, she added. According to Tirkey, her first achievement was being the co-pilot when Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat train on September 15, 2024, and now, attending the Presidents At Home Reception, would be her second achievement. Ritika, who works as the assistant loco pilot of the Vande Bharat Express operating between Tatanagar and Patna, is not only the first tribal woman to take on this prestigious role but also a source of immense pride for her family and the women across the state. Hailing from a humble family in Jharkhand, Tirkey completed her schooling in Ranchi before pursuing a B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering from BIT Mesra. Her father is a retired forest guard. Tirkeys career with the railways started in Chandrapura, Bokaro, under the Dhanbad Rail Division, before being transferred to Tatanagar in 2021. It was there that she received her promotion, propelling her to new heights in her career. She quickly advanced, operating freight trains and passenger services, before being promoted to Assistant Loco Pilot. Her promotion in 2024 enabled her to participate in the operation of the Vande Bharat Express, where she now serves as a vital crew member. The Vande Bharat Express, a state-of-the-art train, is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis dream projects. Ritikas journey with the Indian Railways began in 2019 when she joined as a shunter in the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway.

Parents protest against principal's humiliation of 80 schoolgirls in Dhanbad

Members of the Jharkhand Abhivawak Mahasangh (JAM), an organisation of parents and guardians, held a token hunger strike on Tuesday, demanding action against the principal of a Dhanbad school. The principal allegedly ordered 80 class 10 girls to remove their shirts after they wrote messages on them during a pen day celebration last week. The parents' body claimed that the district administration had given a clean chit to the principal, whose directive led to the students being sent home in blazers, without their shirts, on January 10. Despite conducting an inquiry, the district authorities have not commented on the clean chit given to the female principal of the reputed private school. Eleven office-bearers of JAM staged the hunger strike from 10 am to 4 pm at Randhir Verma Chowk, demanding strict action against the principal. However, none of the hunger strikers were the parents or guardians of the affected girls. JAM Secretary Manoj Mishra said that the inquiry team, which included the sub-divisional officer (SDO) and sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), was formed by Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Madhvi Mishra following a complaint from the parents. After the humiliation of the children, the DC directed the SDO to probe into the incident, but he gave a clean chit to the principal and recommended a compromise between the school management and parents, said Mishra. Efforts to reach the DC and SDO for comment were unsuccessful. Mishra expressed that the parents now hoped the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), who were part of the probe team, would take action. DLSA Secretary Rakesh Roshan stated that they would submit their report to the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority, while CWC Chairman Uttam Mukherjee confirmed that a report had been sent to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in New Delhi. In response to the incident, the school management asked the principal to refrain from administrative duties until the inquiry is completed. Parents of the students reported that the principal had objected to the pen day celebration, where students wrote messages on their shirts, and had ordered them to remove their shirts despite their apology. The affected students were sent home in blazers without their shirts.

Probe team visits Dhanbad private school to record the statement of affected girls, parents and principal

The school principal had humiliated over 100 Class 10 girls for celebrating pen day and forced to them return home in blazers

Shocking Allegations Rock Jharkhand School: Principal Accused of Forcing 80 Girls to Remove Shirts

| A disturbing incident has come to light at a private school in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, where the principal has been accused of ordering 80 class 10 girls to remove their shirts for writing messages on them. The school administration has launched an investigation into the allegations. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students. We will bring you more updates on this developing story as it unfolds. News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Jkhand principal orders 80 schoolgirls to remove shirts as punishment; probe initiated

The principal of a private school in Jharkhands Dhanbad district was accused of ordering 80 girls of class 10 to remove their shirts for writing messages on them, prompting the administration to initiate an inquiry, an official said on Saturday. The girls were allegedly forced to return home in their blazers without shirts beneath. The Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Jharkhand principal sends 80 girls home in blazers without shirts

A principal of a private school in Dhanbad's Digwadih area is facing severe backlash after allegedly ordering 80 Class 10 girls to remove their shirts, leaving them to return home wearing only their blazers. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted the district administration to initiate an inquiry, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Madhvi Mishra confirmed on Saturday. The controversy began when Class 10 students celebrated 'Pen Day' after their examination by writing farewell messages on each other's shirts, a common tradition among school students. The principal reportedly objected to the activity, calling it inappropriate. Despite the students' apologies, the principal allegedly insisted they remove their shirts immediately. Parents have alleged that the students, some of whom lived far from the school, were forced to walk home in their blazers without shirts underneath. Many of the students were reportedly embarrassed and distressed by the incident. The parents approached DC Madhvi Mishra with their grievances, accusing the principal of humiliating the girls. Our children were made to feel ashamed and were sent home inappropriately dressed. This is a clear violation of their dignity, one parent stated. The incident took place in a well-known school in the Digwadih locality, under the jurisdiction of Jorapokhar police station. The DC has assured a thorough investigation into the matter. This is a serious issue. We are investigating the facts and will ensure appropriate action is taken against those responsible, Mishra said. While the school management has remained silent, the incident has sparked outrage among residents and activists. Many have criticized the alleged actions as a severe lapse in judgment by the school authorities. This reflects a lack of basic empathy and understanding toward students. Such behavior cannot be tolerated, a local social worker commented. The incident has also ignited debates about disciplinary practices in educational institutions. Many parents have demanded a review of the school's policies to ensure that students' dignity and welfare are safeguarded. The inquiry is ongoing, and authorities have promised swift action. Meanwhile, the affected students and their families continue to grapple with the emotional impact of the incident, calling for justice and accountability.

'Shameful, unfortunate': Principal orders 80 schoolgirls to remove shirts for writing on them, probe ordered

In Dhanbad, Jharkhand, the principal of a private school allegedly instructed 80 girls to remove their shirts for writing messages on them during a 'pen day' celebration. The district administration has initiated an investigation. A committee including various district officials will probe the incident, with appropriate actions to follow based on their findings.

Jharkhand school forces 100 girls to remove shirts as punishment; probe initiated

RANCHI: In a deeply troubling incident, more than 100 Class 10 students at Carmel School in Dhanbad were reportedly forced to remove their shirts and sent home wearing only blazers as punishment for celebrating Pen Day on Thursday. The girls, who were marking the last day of school by writing good wishes on each others shirts, were reprimanded by Principal M. Devashree, who allegedly claimed that such behavior would harm the schools reputation. She reportedly ordered the students to remove their shirts to avoid them leaving campus with dirty clothing. The incident has triggered outrage among parents. Many of them gathered at the Deputy Commissioners (DC) office on Saturday to file a formal complaint against the school management, as the school was closed on Friday. According to parents, the students were made to remove their shirts on the school campus, in some cases in front of male teachers. Scared by the principals behavior, the girls complied on the campus itself. When some hesitated, they were coerced. While about 20 students had spare shirts, over 100 girls were sent home wearing only blazers, alleged a parent who requested anonymity. Another parent described the incident as mental harassment. We were shocked to learn that our daughters were subjected to this humiliation. The managements actions are indefensible. It was a form of mental assault, said the parent, adding that mobile phones were confiscated from students to ensure the incident was not recorded. The incident has reportedly left several students traumatised, with many expressing reluctance to return to school. Deputy Commissioner Madhvi Mishra has formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee comprises the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), District Education Officer (DEO), District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and the officer in charge of Jharia police station. Complaints have been lodged by guardians, and we have spoken to some of the affected students. The district administration is handling this matter with urgency. Based on the committees findings, appropriate action will be taken, said Ms. Mishra. Jharia MLA Ragni Singh condemned the principals actions, describing them as shameful and unfortunate. The Deputy Commissioner has assured a fair investigation, and strict action will be taken based on the findings, she said. Despite repeated attempts by media personnel, the school principal was unavailable for comment.

Jharkhand Principal Sends 80 Girls Home Without Shirts For Writing On Them

The principal of a private school in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district was accused of ordering 80 girls of class 10 to remove their shirts for writing messages on them, prompting the administration to initiate an inquiry, an official said on Saturday.

MP office torched, SDPO injured in violent clash in Dhanbad

RANCHI: A violent clash broke out between two groups over the construction of a boundary wall by an outsourcing company at the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) Kharkhari Colliery. Baghmara SDPO Purushottam Kumar Singh was seriously injured. The incident took place in the Hilltop Company premises in Madhuban police station area. During the bloody confrontation, Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary's party office was torched by the unruly crowd. The clash, which erupted following disagreements over compensation and jobs for landholders (rayyats), turned violent leading to stone pelting, bombings, and firing. Several motorcycles were also set ablaze by the crowed during the violence. Local, whose lands were being acquired (raiyyats), opposed the construction demanding proper compensation and employment. Another group supported the construction work, leading to tensions between the two sides. The conflict began in the morning when Hiltop Outsourcing Company started constructing a boundary wall in the Babudih area. According to Madhuban Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Jaiprakash, the situation is now under control, and raids are being conducted in various locations to apprehend others connected to the clash. The situation quickly escalated, with large-scale violence breaking out. Both groups resorted to stone pelting, bombings, and firing, intensifying the confrontation. Motorcycles were set on fire, said a local requesting anonymity. SDPO Purushottam Kumar Singh reached the spot to pacify the crowd but he was injured after being hit by a stone thrown by the crowd. Later, the groups dispersed, and additional police personnel from four nearby stations were roped in to restore order and apprehend the culprits. However, the situation worsened after police arrested Karu Yadav, a local leader associated with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Yadavs supporters staged protests, pelting stones at the police. The unrest culminated in an angry mob setting the Kharkhari-based office of Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary on fire. Incidentally, Choudhary had earlier urged the outsourcing company to suspend the boundary wall construction until the demands of the land losers were met. The area falls under his Giridih Lok Sabha constituency.

Maiyan Samman Yojana sparks Jharkhand protests

RANCHI: Hundreds of women are protesting in Jharkhand, angry at receiving an amount much lower than what the Hemant Soren government promised under the flagship Maiyan Samman Yojana. They took to the streets in Dhanbad and Jharia on Wednesday, claiming a transfer of Rs 1,000 to their accounts monthly instead of the revised Rs 2,500. The protest embarrasses the government, which on January 6 claimed to have transferred Rs 11,1415.44 crore under the welfare scheme in the form of direct benefit transfer (DBT) of Rs 2,500 each into 56.62 lakh accounts. The agitated beneficiaries, numbering a few hundred, tried to ransack the Circle Office and tore and burnt banners of the Yojana, asking why they were discriminated against. Rukhsar Parveen says she doesnt know why she is getting less. I filled out the forms initially but have yet to get any of the installments. They are being partial in giving the benefits of this scheme. She complained that those with big buildings have received all four monthly instalments (since the schemes inception), but poor people like us have not received any. Fellow beneficiary Babita Devi, who protested at the Jharia Circle Office, said even though she filled out the form thrice, both online and offline, she received no transfer into her bank account. Disappointed, she is critical of the government. Due to the wrong policies of the state government, women are forced to run from pillar to post to get the benefits of the Yojana. Only a few women are getting the benefits while most women are deprived. Shanti Devi came all the way from Hazaribagh complaining that she received the initial two instalments of Rs 1,000 in her bank account but nothing thereafter. There is no one to explain why I am not getting the benefits despite being eligible for it, she said. Going by their statements, it appears that many women did not receive the increased honorarium of 2500 in the current month, even though they got the original 1,000 in the previous three months. The Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana is the flagship programme of the Hemant Soren Government, launched last August, under which women aged between 21 and 50 get monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 credited to their bank accounts. The government increased the amount to Rs 2,500 before the Assembly elections. INDIA bloc formed for LS election, says Tejashwi In a bid to give out a strong message to his allies on seat sharing before the Bihar assembly election, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said that the INDIA bloc was only formed for the last Lok Sabha election. Tejashwis reply came on a day when West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees TMC backed AAP in Delhi assembly elections.

IIT Dhanbad Hiring For Various Faculty Positions With Monthly Salary In Lakhs

IIT Dhanbad Recruitment 2025: To apply for these positions, candidates must hold a PhD degree with a first-class academic record. For unreserved candidates, the maximum age limit is 35 years.

Deaf-mute woman raped, mob sets house of accuse on fire in Jharkhand

Dhanbad: A deaf and mute woman was allegedly raped by a man in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, after which a mob set the house of the accused on fire, police said on Tuesday. The accused allegedly took the woman to his house on Sunday evening and raped her. The accused allegedly raped her and set her free on Monday morning. The victim narrated the ordeal in sign language to her parents. Then, the parents lodged a complaint at the Saraidhela police station, Saraidhela police station in-charge Nutan Modi said. The parents told police that they searched her till late Sunday night but did not find anywhere. As the news spread on Monday morning, the local people gheraoed the house of the accused and demanded his immediate arrest. Police pacified the people with an assurance that the accused would be nabbed soon. As the accused was not arrested till Monday evening, a mob gathered on Monday night and set the house of the accused on fire. When the police and fire tender team reached the spot the house was already reduced to ashes by then, the police officer said. The accused is absconding. Raids are being conducted at different locations to arrest him, the officer said.

Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal gets bail in MGNREGA scam case

RANCHI: Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was in jail for the last 28 months in a money laundering case linked to MGNREGA scam, was granted bail by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Ranchi on Saturday. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), after an interrogation for over 15 hours, had arrested the then mining secretary Pooja Singhal on May 11, 2022 in a money laundering case linked to alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds and other charges. The Special PMLA Court has granted bail to Singhal on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each. Besides that, she will have to submit her passport in the court. Earlier on April 29, 2024, the Supreme Court had dismissed her plea seeking bail in a money laundering matter, observing it is an extraordinary case. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to interfere with the Jharkhand High Court order denying her bail. The 2000-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer was arrested on the second day of the questioning being done by the ED officials. According to ED, Rs 1.43 crore more than the known sources of her income were recovered from the bank accounts of Pooja Singhal while she was Deputy Commissioner in Khunti, Palamu and Chatra. The ED also claimed that Singhal purchased as many as 13 insurance policies by paying a premium of Rs 80.81 lakh and closed them before completion of their tenure and got Rs 84.64 lakh against it. Jharkhand: ED attaches properties worth Rs 88.77 crore belonging to suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal The ED also informed that Singhal transferred Rs 16.57 lakh to the three bank accounts related to CA Suman Kumar. The ED is said to have gathered sufficient primary evidence to suggest that she is in close connection with CA Sunman Kumar and had financial transactions with him. Before her arrest, ED had conducted raids at several locations, including that of Pooja Singhal, in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged embezzlement of over Rs 18 crore MGNREGA funds in Khunti district during 2008-2011. The raids were conducted at a total of 18 locations including Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, NCR as well as Ranchi, Khunti and Dhanbad in Jharkhand. Singhal, as Chatra Deputy Commissioner, had also been accused of paying Rs 6 crore in advance to the two NGOs Welfare Point and Prerna Niketan for musli farming, which, actually was never done. In addition to that, while being Deputy Commissioner in Palamu, she was charged of transferring 83 acres of forest land to a private company for mining, a matter which is related to Kathautia Coal Mines. On February 10, 2023, the top court had granted Singhal interim bail for two months to enable her to take care of her ailing daughter. Singhal has been in custody since May 11, 2022 after raids were conducted at properties linked to her in connection with the money laundering case.

19 new faces in Jharkhand Assembly

RANCHI: Only half of the old MLAs could make it to the Jharkhand Assembly this time, out of which, 19 are new faces. Out of 81 MLAs elected in 2019 Assembly polls, only 40 have made it to the Assembly this time. Out of those who could not make it to the Assembly, 29 lost the polls, four of them became MPs, while six didnt contest. Most of the new faces are from the BJP with seven MLAs, followed by the JMM with five and the Congress three. CPI (M-L), RJD and AJSU have managed to get one new face each in the Assembly. Emergence of new force Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) leader Jairam Kumar Mahto, who left an impact on several seats, also made it to the Assembly for the first time. Mahto, who floated a new party before the Lok Sabha polls this year, defeated JMM candidate Baby Devi in Dumri. The JKLM has made its strong presence felt in Northern and Southern Chotanagpur Divisions. The JKLM contested in 71 out of 81 assembly seats and caused damage to both INDIA and NDA blocs. Party candidates came second in Bermo, Gomia and Chandankiyari. Within a year, the JKLM has made an impact in rural areas, especially among Kurmi-Mahato community. The party, which contested the Assembly polls for the first time, has played an important role in downsising the NDA. Popularly known as Tiger Jairam, Jairam Mahato was born in 1995 in Maantand village of Dhanbad. Coming from a family with deep roots in statehood movement, he hogged the limelight in 2022 when he spearheaded protests against the inclusion of languages like Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Angika in state-level exams. His argument focused on promoting Jharkhandi languages and protecting local employment for the states native population. In June 2023, Mahato and other student leaders formed the Jharkhandi Bhasha Sangharsh Khatian Samiti, which pushed for policies favouring local residents. Their campaign successfully reversed the language policy in three districts and demanded the use of 1932 land records (Khatian) as the basis for determining domicile status and job eligibility. In August 2024, just three months before the polls, the EC registered the JKLM as a political party. Mahatos party has built its agenda around local pride and identity. First time MLAs 19 BJP: 7 JMM: 5 Congress: 3 CPI (ML): 1 RJD: 1 AJSU: 1 JKLM: 1

Dhanbad assembly election results 2024: Congress's Ajay Dubey, BJP's Raj Sinha among top candidates

In the upcoming 2024 Jharkhand assembly elections, BJP candidate Raj Sinha will face Congress's Ajay Dubey in Dhanbad. Sinha, a two-time incumbent, seeks to maintain BJP's stronghold against Dubey, whose last-minute nomination has fueled speculation about potential shifts in the constituency's political landscape.

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

The evolution of trade union politics in Dhanbad: From independence to present

Trade union influence looms large in Dhanbad's political landscape as candidates with strong union ties contest assembly elections. From Dhanbad to Nirsa, these candidates leverage their union networks, seeking to translate worker support into electoral success.

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

Mithun Chakraborty's Wallet Not Stolen, Has Been Found: BJP

The BJP on Tuesday rejected the assertion that actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty's purse was stolen during a rally in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, claiming that it was misplaced and later found.

Will end coal smuggling in Dhanbad if BJP wins: Shah

RANCHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the BJP, if voted to power, will stop coal smuggling in Jharkhand and make the state the most prosperous state in the country within five years. I promise you that coal smuggling will be stopped completely in Jharkhand if BJP comes to power, Shah said at a poll rally in Jharia, a coal belt in Dhanbad district. He said Jharkhands mineral wealth holds the key to its development but its growth has been stunted under the previous governments. Factories will be set up for mineral processing and power plants for coal production, so that the youth in coal regions need not leave the state for jobs, Shah said, outlining BJPs vision for Jharkhands development. You will have to decide whether you want JMM government which makes its leaders millionaires and billionaires, or a BJP government which is making poor women lakhpati didi, Shah said. Addressing another rally in Baghmara, he alleged that the JMM-led government was behind Rs 1,000 crore MNREGA scam, Rs 300-crore land scam, Rs 1,000 crore mining scam and multi-crore liquor scam and consumed Rs 3.90 lakh crore sent by the Centre. Once the BJP is voted to power, it will ensure that if the Centre sends one rupee, 25 paise is added to it by the state government, so that Rs 1.25 reaches people, Shah said. He said Rahul Gandhi keeps making announcements which were never fulfilled. Not only I and you are saying this, but Rahul babas party president Kharge ji is saying that nothing will be fulfilled, Shah said. But Modis guarantee is set in stone. We will work to fulfil each and every guarantee, he said, adding that Rs 2100 will be transferred to the bank accounts of every woman and gas cylinders will be given at Rs 500. Shah said Soren is inviting infiltrators by laying a red carpet. We will throw out all infiltrators and ensure no new infiltrator enters the state.

Ranchi Diary | Polling: Personnel to be air-dropped at 225 booths

As the poll campaign for the first phase of elections ended on Monday, polling personnel will be air-dropped through choppers at 225 polling booths in the five districts of Jharkhand, which have been identified as sensitive by the Election Commission. The districts include West Singhbhum, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Garhwa. Meanwhile, 683 candidates are in the fray for 43 assembly constituencies. Of these, 334 are Independents, 87 candidates represent national parties, 32 are from Jharkhand-based parties, 42 hold tickets from recognised parties of other states, and 188 belong to unrecognised registered parties. Vote and take a discount at this zoological park Tata Steel Zoological Park (TSZP) has announced a special initiative to encourage civic participation in voting. On November 13, voting day in Jamshedpur, and the day after i.e, on November 14, TSZP will extend exclusive discounts on entry fees to voters on showing their inked fingers. The entry fee for adults will be Rs 30, while for children Rs 20. The TSZP will open at noon on November 13. According to officials, this initiative is another step towards making the park an inclusive and accessible space for everyone. Brain-operated bed for paralytic patients A team of four students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad, under assistant Professor Zafar Alam, has been given an award for developing an EEG-Signal-Controlled Pneumatic Medical Bed for paralytic patients. They have developed the device for Rs 2 lakh to help paralytic/severely affected patients control their medical bed using their brains through an electroencephalography device. The device will help to ensure efficient medical governance by reducing the nursing loads for patients at health centres and hospitals. Mukesh Ranjan Our correspondent in Jharkhand mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com

Rahul, Soren Show Unity Ahead of Jharkhand Polls

New Delhi/Ranchi: In a show of unity, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren welcomed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Ranchi airport on Saturday. At an election rally in Dhanbad, Gandhi highlighted the alliance's push to lift the 50 per cent reservation cap, stressing that despite Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) making up 90% of Indias population, they remain underrepresented in government institutions. Gandhi criticised the BJP-led governments economic policies, alleging that the tax structure favors the wealthy. He claimed that billionaire Gautam Adani pays similar taxes as the common people and accused the government of handing over valuable land in Mumbai's Dharavi to him. In a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi commented on Modis luxurious travels, contrasting it with the struggles of the poor amid rising prices. He promised that the alliance would redirect funds to the poor, equivalent to the debts forgiven for capitalists. At another rally in Jamshedpur, Gandhi accused Modi's policies on demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of harming farmers and laborers, calling them weapons against the poor. He framed the political contest as a clash of ideologies, with the BJP-RSS promoting division, while the I.N.D.I.A. bloc stands for unity. Expressing confidence in the Opposition alliances chances against the NDA, Gandhi pledged to work for the welfare of the masses. Notably, he paused his speech momentarily for the Azan prayer, showing respect for the local customs.

Indian tax structure designed to loot poor: Rahul Gandhi in Jharkhand poll rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, saying its tax structure is designed to loot the poor. Indian tax structure is to loot the poor. Adani pays taxes equivalent to you. Dharavi land, worth Rs 1 lakh-crore, is being handed over to him, Gandhi alleged while addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Dhanbad. Rahul took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging, PM Modi travels in seaplanes, goes inside the sea, but the poor and women bear the brunt of price rise. The truth today is that the youth and women in India are unhappy. Modi ji only gives big speeches; he does nothing. When inflation increases in the country, our mothers and sisters suffer the most. Narendra Modi has added GST on everything. The whole tax structure is a way to take money from the poor people of the country, Rahul said. - , - GST pic.twitter.com/yJCO6XS52W Congress (@INCIndia) November 9, 2024 GST is a system to steal from the poor. Eight percent of the poor are tribal, 15 percent are Dalits, 50 are from backward classes, and 15 percent are minorities, the Congress leader said. He also claimed that the PM ever reaches out to Dalits or tribals, but he attends weddings of industrialists' family members. We call you 'tribals', but the BJP calls you 'forest dwellers'. Tribal means the first owner of the country. Whereas Vanvasi means that you have no rights in the country. They are slowly taking away your forests from you. But we want that you have the first right on water, forest, and land; you should get its benefits, the Congress leader said. Gandhi further remarked that Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) constitute 90 percent of India's population, but they are not represented in government institutions. We will give to the poor funds equivalent to debt of capitalists waived by PM Modi, said Gandhi. The Congress leader also promised to remove the 50 percent cap on reservation at any cost and argued that a caste census is a must to reveal how the country's wealth is distributed. I have clearly told Modi jiyou cannot stop the caste census. We will pass the caste census in this very Parliament and break the wall of 50% reservation... In Jharkhand, we will give 28% reservation to tribals, 12% to Dalits, and 27% to backward classes, Rahul said. Rahul also reiterated the INDIA blocs seven guarantees for Jharkhand, including food security, under which gas cylinders will be provided at Rs 450 and 7 kg of ration per person. Other guarantees include local policy based on 1932 Khatian, the Sarna Dharma Code, womens honorarium of Rs 2,500, 28% ST, 12% SC, and 27% OBC reservations, 10 lakh jobs, Rs 15 lakh health insurance, education reforms with new colleges, and increased MSP for paddy to Rs 3,200 and other crops by 50%. Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly will be held on November 13 and 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Rahul: Tax structure designed to loot poor

Baghmara (Dhanbad): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Centre, saying its tax structure is designed to loot the poor. Indian tax structure is to loot the poor. Adani pays taxes equivalent to you. Dharavi land, worth Rs 1 lakh-crore, is being handed over to him, Gandhi alleged while addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Dhanbad. He also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging, PM Modi travels in seaplanes, goes inside the sea, but the poor and women bear the brunt of price rise. 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. We will give to the poor funds equivalent to debt of capitalists waived by PM Modi, said Gandhi.

Left Parties Make their Major Presence in Jharkhand

By Rabindra Nath Sinha KOLKATA: A development in the ultra-Left politics that happened on September 9 this year in Jharkhand, to be more specific in the Dhanbad coalfields, gets cemented as elections for the sixth state Assembly knock at the door and revive memories of the role that the Marxist Coordination Committees veteran leader A K Roy (Arun Kumar Roy) had played in the areas trade union movement for many years. [Not many people were aware of his full name; [] The post Left Parties Make their Major Presence in Jharkhand appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Watch: IIT Dhanbad Students' Firecracker Stunt Takes An Explosive Turn

The explosive moment culminated in a thunderous oom, sending the drum soaring nearly as high as the four-story boys' hostel

IIT Dhanbad students celebrate Diwali in an unique way; send not just a firecracker but also a drum flying; check video here

A viral Instagram video features IIT Dhanbad students celebrating Diwali by launching a plastic dustbin with a firecracker. Another video shows a person using Alexa to ignite a small rocket, highlighting innovative Diwali celebrations. Both videos have captured significant online attention, showcasing the creativity and technological integration in festivities.

Neon, Tara, Bubble, Chhota DJ Lights: Dhanbad Market Shines With Diwalis Trendiest Decor

A sales manager from the Dhanbad market shared that this Diwali season, they are selling lights with prices ranging from Rs 45 to Rs 500 so that everyone can find something within their budget

CBI slaps bribery charges on two officers of East Central Railway in Bihar

PATNA: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday registered a case against three persons, including two railway officers of the East Central Railway, for being hands-in-glove with contractors and helping them in the award of railway contracts worth several crores. The railway officersAnurag Gaurav and Vikas Kumarhave been accused of helping director of M/s Anand Raj Infrateck Private Ltd Abhishek Singh in the award of contractor worth Rs.15 crore at Hajipur in Bihars Vaishali district. The two railway officers have been booked on the charges of hatching a conspiracy and abusing their official position to help the contractor in the award of the railway contract. They have also been accused of accepting bribe in lieu of help extended to the company. While Gaurav is posted as deputy accounts advisor (DFA), construction, Vikas is posted at Mahendru based railway office in the state capital. Gaurav, stated to be a native of Ranchi in Jharkhand, lives in Shivraj Apartment on Ashiana-Digha Road in Patna. During preliminary investigation, it came to light that M/s Anand Raj Infratech Private Ltd has its office situated at Faridpur Mor near Fatuha in Patna district but it mainly worked for M/s Chaitanya Project Consultancy Ltd located in New Delhi. Initial probe suggested that Abhishek met Anurag Gaurav at his office on October 9 and offered him a hefty sum as bribe if contract worth Rs.15 crore at Hajipur was awarded to his firm. The deal was finalised, and the contract was awarded to Abhisheks company. More names are likely to surface in the tender ghotala (scam). Further investigation is underway, a senior officer associated with the investigation said. In another case, the CBI submitted a chargesheet against five accused, including then principal income tax commissioner Santosh Kumar, in connection with an illegal gratification case. Sources in the probe agency said that the chargesheet was filed in the special CBI court in Patna. The agency had caught Santosh Kumar, principal income tax commissioner of Patna and Dhanbad, while taking Rs.10 lakh as a bribe. A case was registered against Kumar and four other individuals at the CBI police station on August 26. The other accused in the case included Gurpal Singh, Ashok Chourasia, Rajiv Kumar alias Chiku and Pranay Purbe.

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.