The decision to field Nalin Soren and Mathura Prasad Mahto underscores the JMM’s strategic approach to the electoral process in these constituencies…reports Asian Lite News
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has made significant announcements regarding its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. On Thursday, the party revealed its choices for two key constituencies. Nalin Soren, the incumbent legislator from Shikaripada, has been nominated to contest from the Dumka Lok Sabha seat.
This move effectively puts an end to speculation surrounding the potential candidacy of jailed former chief minister Hemant Soren from Dumka. Additionally, Mathura Prasad Mahto, the MLA from Tundi, has been selected to represent the party in the Giridih Lok Sabha seat.
The decision to field Nalin Soren and Mathura Prasad Mahto underscores the JMM’s strategic approach to the electoral process in these constituencies. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had already announced its candidate for the Dumka seat, nominating Sita Soren, the former JMM MLA and sister-in-law of Hemant Soren. This sets the stage for an intriguing electoral contest in Dumka, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
Notably, the BJP had initially renominated Sunil Soren, the sitting MP from Dumka, on March 2. However, the party later withdrew his candidature to field Sita Soren, reflecting internal party dynamics and strategic considerations. Sunil Soren had emerged victorious against JMM president Shibu Soren in the 2019 polls by a substantial margin.
Sita Soren’s decision to join the BJP last month adds another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape in Jharkhand. She brings with her a political legacy, being a three-term MLA and the elder daughter-in-law of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren. Sita Soren’s allegations of neglect by the JMM and her subsequent isolation after the demise of her husband Durga Soren in 2009 add a personal dimension to her political journey and her choice to switch parties.
Meanwhile, the Congress has announced its candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies – Lohardaga, Khunti, and Hazaribag. Kalicharan Munda, Sukhdeo Bhagat, and Jai Prakashbhai Patel have been nominated for these seats respectively. Additionally, an initial seat-sharing agreement has been reached among the INDIA bloc leaders for all 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. According to this understanding, the Congress and JMM would contest from seven and five seats respectively, with the RJD and CPI (ML) Liberation fielding candidates in one seat each.
Furthermore, the CPI (ML) Liberation has named Vinod Kumar Singh, a three-time MLA from the Bagodar seat, as its candidate for the Koderma Lok Sabha constituency. On the BJP’s side, candidates have been announced for 13 seats, with Giridih left for the AJSU Party. These developments set the stage for a dynamic and fiercely contested electoral battle in Jharkhand.
Elections will be held in Jharkhand in four phases – May 13, 20, 25, and June 1. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats in Jharkhand with the BJP winning 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress got one seat each.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led government of Jharkhand is dedicated to the all-around development of all with emphasis on social justice. Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar is a unique effort of the Chief Minister to reach out to the people at the remotest corners of the state, knowing their problems face to face and enrolling them in various social welfare schemes floated by the Jharkhand government. The Chief Minister is personally present in all the meetings across the state.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand government is fully committed to the overall development of every section and every geographical area of the state. In the four years since 2019, the government has taken many steps which are providing direct benefits to all sections of the society living in every nook and corner of the state along with social justice to ensure all-around development. To ensure that no section of the state remains untouched, the schemes are monitored at the level of Chief Minister Hemant Soren from planning to their implementation and it is ensured that the benefits of every scheme reach to every beneficiary. For this, the Soren government is also running the ‘Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar’ campaign.
Let’s know about some of the major public welfare schemes of the Government of Jharkhand:
Sona Sobran Dhoti-Saree- Lungi Vitaran Yojana
The basic needs of every person include food, clothing and shelter. Jharkhand government is taking care of food and shelter along with clothes for the needy. Dhoti, lungi and saree are being distributed from the shops of the Public Distribution System on the scheduled date every month.
Under the Sona Sobran Dhoti-Saree- Lungi Distribution Scheme, the state government provides dhoti/sari for Rs 10 twice a year at an interval of every 6 months to all the eligible households of the National Food Security Act along with the beneficiary families of Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Green Ration Card. Lungi and a saree are being given for just Rs 10.
More than 65 lakh beneficiaries across Jharkhand are getting this benefit twice a year.
To ensure that the beneficiaries can easily avail the benefits of this scheme, these clothes are being distributed using the strong network of Public Distribution System.
To avail the benefits of this scheme, it is necessary to be a ration card holder. Beneficiaries can avail the benefits of this scheme by showing identity card issued by the government such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, letter recommended by the Mukhiya or Ward Councilor.
Mukhyamantri Utkrisht Vidyalaya
For the first time in the history of Jharkhand, a new dimension was added to the education revolution. 80 Chief Minister Utkrisht Vidyalayas (Schools of Excellence) are established at the district level to ensure excellence in education.
Every Indian has the right to get better education. We all know that at the heart of better education lies a school. A school which not only has strong infrastructure but also ensures the academic environment, community relations and leadership development of teachers. A School of Excellence fulfills such needs.
These schools will be constructed in every Panchayat. About 40,000 children had given the entrance examination for 12,000 seats in these schools.
Along with this, Soren government is constructing 325 block level model schools in the entire state. At the same time, 4,091 Gram Panchayat level model schools are being established in the entire state.
All these will be CBSE affiliated English medium schools. These will also have facilities for digital smart classes, science and language labs and national level sports training along with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Guruji Student Credit Card Yojana
To provide financial assistance to the 10th and 12th class passed (10th class passed for Diploma students) students of Jharkhand, who are deprived of getting higher education due to financial reasons, the state government has launched and implemented Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme.
Under the scheme, the objective is to provide loans up to Rs 15 lakh at concessional rates for higher education to interested and qualified students by linking them with banks. There will be no processing fee for the loan.
The applicant is getting easy loan at an annual simple interest rate of 4 percent. No margin money on loans up to Rs 4 lakh.
The applicant will not have to keep any collateral. Also, the period to repay the loan will be up to 15 years (including the course period). Apart from the course fee, it also covers the expenses on hostel, mess fee, travel etc.
Under this scheme, the government will give a total loan of Rs 500 crore every year to all the meritorious students of the state. The state government will provide 100 percent guarantee cover of the loan amount to the banks.
Paardeshiya Chhatravriti Yojana
50 youth from the deprived class have gone abroad for higher education by taking advantage of the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Paardeshiya Chhatravriti Yojana (Overseas Scholarship Scheme). Young men and women from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Minorities are taking the benefits of the scheme.
Under this scheme, higher education opportunities are available in 110 universities/institutions in Britain and Northern Ireland. Through this scholarship, facility is being provided to do Masters/MPhil in any of the 31 subjects.
Arrangements for free education are being made for maximum 25 students. Under the scholarship scheme, arrangements have also been made to pay tuition fees, air travel fare, annual allowance, visa fees, medical insurance premium payment and other expenses.
Under the Chevening-Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship, a maximum of twenty five students are getting the opportunity to pursue a one-year master’s degree program in the UK.
Mukhyamantri Sarathi Yojana
Under the Chief Minister Sarathi Scheme, free skill training is being given to the unemployed youths of Jharkhand.
The state government is giving employment incentive allowance for maximum one year to everyone who is taking skill training. An incentive allowance of Rs 1,000 per month is being given to youth and Rs 1,500 per month to girls, disabled and transgenders.
Non-residential trainees are being given a transport allowance of Rs 1,000 per month for commuting from their home to the training center.
Under the Chief Minister Sarathi Scheme, for the first-time youth are getting free skill training at the block level through Birsa Centre. Beneficiaries can choose the trade as per their interest through proper counselling.
For training, it is mandatory for the youth/girls to have minimum 5th pass qualification. This has made it possible to bring more and more beneficiaries under the ambit of this scheme.
Abua Awas Yojana
Abua Awas Yojana (Abua Housing Scheme) aims to provide permanent houses with basic amenities to lead a dignified life by 2026 to all eligible families who are houseless and living in kutcha and dilapidated houses in rural areas.
Under this scheme, a target has been set to construct 8 lakh pucca houses. 2 lakh houses are to be constructed in 2023-24, 3.5 lakh in 2024-25 and 2.5 lakh in 2025-26.
This scheme is 100 percent supported by the state government. The amount of assistance per housing unit is Rs 2 lakh.
Construction of a three-room permanent house with kitchen is being done through Abua Housing Scheme. The house will be constructed in minimum 31 square meters.
Families living in kutcha houses, houseless and destitute families, families belonging to especially vulnerable tribal groups, victims of natural calamities, legally released bonded laborers and such families who have never received the benefit of any government housing scheme are eligible for the benefits of this scheme.
Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana
The main objective of this scheme is to provide easy transportation service to the citizens living in rural areas, remote tribal settlements and other areas to reach Gram Panchayat, Block, Sub-Division and District Headquarters. This transport service is absolutely free.
One of the goals of the scheme is to provide transportation facilities to the students living in rural areas to educational institutions for secondary and higher education.
Under this, transportation facilities are being made available to the villagers up to the block, sub-division and district headquarters to get proper medical services.
Through Chief Miniter Rural Transportation Scheme, farmers are getting the facility of transportation to the market or business center located at the block, sub-division and district headquarters for the sale of their produce and employment to the villagers.
Through the scheme, transportation facilities are also being provided to disabled persons and senior citizens. With the Chief Miniter Rural Transportation Scheme, commuting in rural areas will become easier than before.
Birsa Harit Gram Yojana
Farmers of Jharkhand are moving towards becoming self-reliant. With a view to make farmers self-reliant, Hemant Soren’s government had launched the Jharkhand Birsa Green Village Scheme. The farmers of the state are now benefiting from this scheme. They are also getting good income.
The Hemant Soren government in the state had given a green signal to the scheme during the Covid period to provide employment to migrant labourers by linking them with MGNREGA. The scheme launched in 2020 has opened the fortunes of many migrant labourers.
The farmers are coming forward to avail the benefit of the Government’s scheme. Coal mining areas like Dhanbad are also witnessing a reduced pollution, an added advantage.
CM Soren’s welfare schemes are drawing huge response from every quarter in Jharkhand
In the last 4 years, the state of Jharkhand has made significant strides in the fields of education, employment, health and welfare, sports, tourism, renewable energy and industries to enhance the quality of life. Significant achievements in the area of law and order, like eradication of left-wing terrorism and creating developmental opportunities in the Budha Pahad region ensuring peace in the state is a noteworthy move. Initiatives by the state government to provide clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, electricity access, road connectivity and housing have transformed the state.
Nearly 80 percent of the population of Jharkhand lives in villages. Before the formation of the government, CM Hemant Soren had said that the government would be run from the villages and panchayats and not from Delhi. To receive benefits people will not have to visit block offices and district headquarters, instead the government is coming to the doorstep to solve problems.
2023 marks the third phase of the programme in which camps are being organised and people’s problems are being addressed and they are getting the benefits of various schemes. A similar programme was organised in 2021 and 2022. The CM is visiting every district under this programme.
A considerable effort has been done for the education at all levels. At a cost of Rs 1885 crores, the state has laid the foundation stones for 27 Schools of Excellence. There is a plan to start 5000 Schools of Excellence in the entire state. This initiative aims to offer world-class education facilities to students in Jharkhand. On a better education system for the State Guruji Student Credit Card Scheme has been started for higher education. The government will provide financial support to students under this scheme. The state government is providing 100% scholarship to Dalit, tribal, backward and minority children for higher education abroad as well.
Under the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme, deserving students are allowed to pursue higher studies abroad. Presently twenty-three students from Jharkhand are pursuing higher education abroad in the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to empower the youth of Jharkhand and enhance their global competitiveness. In another initiative, the government’s scholarships for children of unorganized sector workers, ranging from INR 250 to INR 8,000 have been launched. This is an important step towards ensuring that economic constraints do not impede access to education. Moreover, the ITI Colleges in Militancy Affected Districts promotes technical education and vocational training, enhancing employability among the youth.
Despite challenges, Jharkhand has achieved considerable success in improving the basic civic infrastructure and living standards. The state has made significant strides in the fields of education and employment, initiating a series of measures designed to enhance access to quality education and create employment opportunities.
In the area of employment, the Chief Minister Employment Generation Scheme promotes entrepreneurship and generates employment. It provides a provision of subsidized loans up to INR 25 lakhs for starting businesses. Also, in a bid to push transparency, JPSC Manual and Officer Appointments has been prepared and 326 officers who have been appointed under the 6th JPSC. This enhances the transparency and effectiveness of the public service recruitment process, and these appointments are a key step towards strengthening administrative capacity in the state.
Jharkhand has taken significant steps towards improving the state of nutrition and health among its residents. The initiatives span various areas, from disease prevention and management to addressing the problem of malnutrition.
The establishment of COVID-19 vaccination facilities at all district hospitals and community health centres reflects the state’s commitment to combating the pandemic. This widespread vaccination drive ensures easier access for citizens across the state to get vaccinated and contributes to public health safety.
The approval for the establishment of dialysis centres on a public-private partnership (PPP) model in all district hospitals is a major step towards enhancing healthcare infrastructure. This move expands access to essential medical treatment for kidney disease patients.
In an effort to tackle the problem of malnutrition, the state has initiated the construction of 5 lakh sheds at a cost of INR 250 crores. While the exact context and utilization of these sheds are not specified, it could be assumed that these may be used for activities related to the delivery of nutritional services, community awareness programs, and other initiatives to address malnutrition.
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These initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to improving the health and nutritional status of Jharkhand’s population. The focus on infrastructure development and service delivery suggests a commitment to creating a robust health system capable of addressing the state’s health challenges.
Jharkhand has taken several strides in the field of agriculture, aimed at improving the livelihood of farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring food security. Krishi Rinn Maafi Yojana (Crop Loan Waiver Scheme) has sanctioned INR 2,000 crores. Under this scheme, farm loans up to INR 50,000 have been waived off, providing significant relief to small and marginal farmers and boosting their financial stability.
The Chief Minister Pashudhan Yojana (Livestock Development Scheme) has benefited over 50,000 villagers. Livestock development plays a crucial role in supplementing the income of rural households and improving their nutritional security. Moreover, the Bonus Payment on MSP has incentivized agricultural production and ensures farmers get a fair price for their produce.
These achievements reflect the government’s commitment to promoting agricultural growth, enhancing farmers’ income, and ensuring food security in Jharkhand. It also shows the efforts towards promoting diversification and value addition in agriculture, which are crucial for the sustainable development of the sector.
The government of Jharkhand has taken considerable steps towards rural development with a special focus on women’s empowerment. These measures are aimed at enhancing income, improving livelihoods, and promoting sustainability.
For the first time, the wage rate under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has been increased from INR 194 to INR 225. This wage hike is a significant move towards improving the income and economic status of rural households, including women who form a substantial part of the MNREGA workforce.
The state has set a target for maximum man-day generation under MNREGA, creating 10 crore man-days. This ensures enhanced availability of employment opportunities in rural areas, directly benefiting women who are major participants in the scheme.
Steps have been taken towards water prosperity, with trench and dam closure work completed on 2 lakh hectare land. This contributes to improved water conservation and agricultural productivity, directly and indirectly benefiting rural women.
Under this scheme, fruit trees have been planted in 26 thousand acres. This initiative promotes environmental sustainability and also provides an additional source of income for rural households, thereby empowering women.
Sakhi Mandals, or women’s self-help groups, have been allocated INR 995 crores. These funds help in strengthening the capacity of these groups and empower rural women economically and socially.
The efforts and intent of the government is being reciprocated by the masses and a stable government with a youthful and constructive leadership is bound to take Jharkhand to newer heights in the coming years.
Amid the political turmoil in Jharkhand, the ruling coalition MLAs were on Saturday shifted to Latratu, 60 km from here.
Earlier in the day, the JMM-led coalition held a meeting at the Chief Minister’s house to decide their strategy and future course of action.
This was the fourth meeting of the coalition in the past three days. The meeting was attended by 42 MLAs including Soren, Rameshwar Oraon, Alamgir Alam, Banna Gupta, Champai Soren, Satyanand Bhokta.
The political crisis in the state started after the Election Commission disqualified the Assembly membership of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with the office of profit case.
After the EC recommendation, Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais ordered the disqualification of the assembly membership of Soren. But as per the procedure, an official letter in this regards will be issued by the Election Commission.
It is likely that the Election Commission will issue the letter in this regard on Saturday after which Soren will have to resign.
After resigning, Soren can again stake claim to form the government because as per reports the Governor’s order did not ban him from contesting elections.
With Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s future as both head of the state and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA hanging in balance amid speculation that the Election Commission has recommended Governor Ramesh Bais to disqualify him for alleged violation of Representation of the People Act, 1951, IANS takes look at the allegations against him and the likely scenarios which may emerge.
In February this year, senior BJP leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das had alleged that Soren had got a mining lease issued for himself, which was clear violation of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. It was alleged that Soren hid this fact in his affidavit submitted at the time of contesting the Assembly elections in 2019.
On the basis of documents, Das sought the Chief Minister’s disqualification as MLA and removal from the post of CM.
Since the Chief Minister is a public servant, he cannot allot himself a mining lease, as it is clear violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The BJP leaders sought Soren’s removal as Chief Minister, as well as his disqualification as MLA by Governor Ramesh Bais.
The Governor sought the Election Commission’s views on the matter and subsequently the poll panel began a hearing on the matter and sought views from both Soren and the BJP leaders.
The Election Commission’s hearing ended this month and it now sent its recommendations to the Governor, who now has to take a call in the matter.
In his defence, Soren has said that he had applied for the mining lease at a time when he was not holding any office of profit and he has now even surrendered the lease.
Moreover, no mining activity has been undertaken by him in the mine in question, thus no question of misusing office of profit arises and his disqualification cannot be sought.
Under the present circumstances, two likely scenarios can emerge in the entire episode.
First, the poll panel can recommend Soren’s disqualification as an MLA for getting a mining lease issued for himself.
Congress leader and Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta said yesterday that the JMM-Congress coalition is “standing strong”.
Second, the Election Commission can consider it as a case of corruption since Hemant Soren took the lease while being on the post of Chief Minister.
If he is found guilty of misusing his position as an MLA, Soren would have to resign as a legislator. In the meantime, the JMM legislative party can elect him as its leader and he can remain as the Chief Minister for six months. Though he will have to contest the polls and get himself re-elected as an MLA during this period.
However, if it is treated as a case of corruption and if the Election Commission issues a certificate under Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Governor can bar Soren from contesting elections for five years and he will have to resign both as MLA and Chief Minister.
In such a scenanrio, the JMM will have to elect a new leader, which according to speculation could be either his wife Kalpana Soren or father and JMM founder Shibu Soren.
While Hemant Soren has the option of seeking legal recourse in the Supreme Court, he will still have to resign from his posts as the apex court does not immediately give a stay order in such cases.
Hemant Soren can also plead not guilty, claiming that the grounds on which he is being disqualified are not strong enough, as even the Supreme Court in its two judgements has stated that taking a mining lease is not a case of corruption.
In the third scenario, if the Governor feels that JMM does not have majority in the Assembly and if he refuses to take cognisance of the letters of support for the new chief ministerial candidate and does not allow him or her to take oath, President’s Rule can be imposed in the state to avoid a Constitutional crisis.
One of the numbers belongs to Jammu and Kashmir while two other numbers are found switched off…reports Asian Lite News.
After Arwal where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and actress Priyanka Chopra were listed as Covid vaccine beneficiaries, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren, former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and state Health Minister Mangal Pandey were named as recipients of the first dose in Bihar’s Gaya district.
The Health Department believe that some persons may have been involved in the forgery of data to defame the department. Following the discovery of these names, an FIR has been registered in Tekari police station on a written complaint by Gaya Civil Surgeon Dr Arvind Kumar.
“We have learnt that names of some politicians were included in the data of corona’s first dose recipients in the Alipur health centre under Tekari police station in Gaya. Accordingly, we have registered FIR against three unknown persons. As three phone numbers are mentioned in the list of beneficiaries, we have included the numbers as well,” the civil surgeon said.
One of the numbers belongs to Jammu and Kashmir while two other numbers are found switched off.
“As per the preliminary investigation, the mobile number of ANM Usha Kumari was mention as user ID and password on the portal for Covid vaccination. That mobile number was used by some persons to upload names of prominent leaders of the country,” he said.
“We are taking help of cyber experts to identify accused,” he added.
Similar mischief appeared in Arwal district on Monday where names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, actress Priyanka Chopra and other were uploaded in the list of beneficiaries of second dose of the Covid vaccine in the common health centre of the district’s Karpi block.
