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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Jharkhand govt urges finance commission to raise tax share to 50%
The Jharkhand government on Friday appealed to the Sixteenth Finance Commission to raise the vertical devolution of central taxes from the existing 41 per cent to 50 per cent. A finance commission team, headed by its chairman Dr Arvind Panagariya, held discussions with the state government. Jharkhand Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore and Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari were present during the meeting. "Increase the vertical devolution share from 41 per cent to 50 per cent," the state government appealed to the panel. The commission also held a series of meetings with representatives from local bodies, trade organisations, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and political parties. The finance commission team on Thursday visited Jharkhand's temple town of Deoghar and offered obeisance at the Baba Baidyanath temple. The finance panel also held discussions with representatives of panchayati raj institutions and administrators of urban local bodies from all six districts of Santhal Pargana. The delegation had arrived in Ranchi on Wednesday on a four-day visit to Jharkhand and met Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The CM sought support from the finance commission for the all-around development of various sectors and communities in the state. "Jharkhand contributes significantly to the country's development as a state with extensive mining activities. But, it also faces consequences, such as environmental degradation, displacement of people, and loss of land. The land reclamation work by central mining companies is not being carried out in a planned manner," Soren told the commission members. He also sought autonomy to utilise financial resources according to the needs of the local population, as each state has different requirements. The Centre's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' could be realised through the development of states and villages, Soren said. "A large population of the state depends on agriculture. So, agriculture and allied activities are a focus area for the government. Jharkhand has significant potential in the farming sector," he added. There is a need for special efforts in priority areas such as health, education, and livelihoods, Soren said. The team is scheduled to return to Delhi on May 31. Jharkhand has prepared a Rs 1.45 lakh-crore budget for the ongoing fiscal, with a whopping Rs 62,844 crore earmarked for social welfare programmes to help the poor, women and other vulnerable groups. For its popular Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana, which aims to enhance the financial security and well-being of women in the age bracket of 18-50 years, it allocated Rs 13,363 crore. Besides, Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated towards providing free electricity. Last month, the chief minister called for a provision in the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) (CBA) Act, requiring companies to return land to the state government after mining activities. The CM also demanded the release of Rs 1.40 lakh crore, owed by mining companies, at the recent NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Jharkhand CM flags Rs 1.4 lakh crore mining dues at NITI Aayog meeting
New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren raised the issue of Rs 1.4 lakh crore in pending mining dues from central government-run companies during the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. Highlighting the state's entitlement, Soren said, 'An amount of Rs 1,40,435 crore is owed to Jharkhand by companies operating under the Central Government for mining on state land. The timely release of this amount would significantly accelerate developmental and welfare initiatives in the state.' The Chief Minister also called for amendments to the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, advocating that land used for mining be returned to the state once operations cease. He emphasised the need to fix accountability of mining companies for unauthorised extraction, noting the adverse environmental and social impact, including pollution and displacement. "Jharkhand is rich in coal and critical minerals, but mining has brought along serious concerns. These issues must be addressed with proactive measures," he added. Leading the state delegation, Soren made several suggestions to support the Centre's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision. He said the journey to a developed India must begin with 'Viksit Rajya' and should also include the concept of 'Viksit Gaon'. He highlighted the state's efforts in poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, youth skill development, agricultural advancement, education, infrastructure, and technological growth. One key initiative, he noted, was the state's economic empowerment scheme for women, under which around 50 lakh women are receiving Rs 2,500 per month. Referring to Jharkhand's coal-bed methane reserves, Soren stressed the need for large-scale energy initiatives and recommended that mining companies be mandated to establish captive plants in the state. He also proposed a rule requiring 30 per cent of mineral output to be used within Jharkhand to boost local employment. He urged the Centre to develop the Sahibganj district as a cargo hub, citing its strategic location for Jharkhand and neighbouring states. He also recommended setting up a dedicated industrial mining corridor, building a new bridge or high-level dam over the Ganga in Sahibganj, and increasing connectivity and infrastructure. On the issue of Naxalism, Soren pointed out that while 16 districts were affected in 2014, the number has now reduced to just two -- West Singhbhum and Latehar. However, he requested continued special central assistance for all previously affected districts to ensure lasting peace and development.
The Print
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Liquor scams in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh interlinked, claims BJP leader Raghubar Das
'The volume of the scam is not Rs 100 crore as reported, but is suspected to be over Rs 600–700 crore,' he claimed. He alleged that the scam in Jharkhand was much bigger than previously reported. Jamshedpur, May 24 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Raghubar Das on Saturday urged the CBI, which is probing the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, to investigate a similar scam in Jharkhand, claiming that both are connected. 'The Chhattisgarh government has already recommended a CBI probe into the liquor scam there. I appeal to the agency to investigate a similar scam in Jharkhand, as both scams are interlinked,' the former chief minister told a press conference. Das also demanded a CBI investigation into the funding of 32 MLAs who were sent to Chhattisgarh and accommodated in a luxurious hotel from August 22 to August 31, 2022. 'The people of the state want to know whether the payment for their travel and stay was made by the then Chhattisgarh government or by the liquor mafia,' he added. Referring to the excise policy introduced during his tenure in 2018, Das, who also served as Odisha Governor, said the current Hemant Soren-led government had acknowledged in a recent state cabinet meeting—while approving the Excise Rules 2025—that the policy brought in by his government was in the interest of the state and its people. 'The present Soren-led dispensation has admitted that the excise policy implemented in 2018 by our government was the best. The focus of the new Excise Policy 2025 is based on our earlier policy,' he added. Elaborating further, Das said the revenue generated through his government's liquor policy was Rs 1,082 crore in 2018–19 and had doubled to Rs 2,009 crore in 2019–20. 'In addition, our government had restricted the opening of liquor shops in Scheduled Areas of the state. In contrast, the new Excise Policy 2025 approves the opening of more liquor shops in these areas. This move is pushing the younger generation toward intoxication,' he alleged. Taking a swipe at the ruling party, Das remarked, 'JMM supremo Shibu Soren, father of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, used to campaign against liquor. Now his son is promoting it. This is deeply regrettable.' Das slammed the decision to open liquor shops in Scheduled Areas, saying that after the cabinet's approval, the matter was brought up for discussion in a Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) meeting held in Ranchi. 'Is the state cabinet bigger or the TAC?' Das questioned, suggesting that the CM was forced to bring the matter to the TAC after growing tribal opposition. On senior IAS officer Vinay Kumar Choubey's arrest by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam in Jharkhand, Das claimed the action was an attempt by the Soren government to protect itself. 'Soren knows well that the ACB's jurisdiction is confined within the state. Since the liquor scams in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are interconnected, the matter requires a CBI probe,' he asserted. PTI BS MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
With latest liquor scam arrest, Jharkhand sees sixth serving IAS officer arrested in graft cases
RANCHI: As many as sixth serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have been jailed in corruption-related cases in Jharkhand since the state was formed in 2000, marking one of the highest known figures among Indian states. Former Excise Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey who was arrested in a liquor scam case on Tuesday, is the first IAS officer to be held by a state investigation agency — the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). He is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, having served as Secretary to the Chief Minister during Soren's 2019–2024 tenure. The BJP has alleged a wider conspiracy behind Choubey's arrest, claiming it is an attempt to shield more influential individuals involved in the scam. Leader of the Opposition and BJP state president Babulal Marandi claimed that the liquor scam in Jharkhand is larger than the one reported in Delhi and directly involves CM Soren.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
With latest liquor scam arrest, Jharkhand sees seventh serving IAS officer arrested in graft cases
RANCHI: As many as seven serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have been jailed in corruption-related cases in Jharkhand since the state was formed in 2000, marking one of the highest known figures among Indian states. Former Excise Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey who was arrested in a liquor scam case on Tuesday, is the first IAS officer to be held by a state investigation agency — the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). He is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, having served as Secretary to the Chief Minister during Soren's 2019–2024 tenure. The BJP has alleged a wider conspiracy behind Choubey's arrest, claiming it is an attempt to shield more influential individuals involved in the scam. Leader of the Opposition and BJP state president Babulal Marandi claimed that the liquor scam in Jharkhand is larger than the one reported in Delhi and directly involves CM Soren.
