Ranchi, Feb 18 (PTI) Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Wednesday said the state was progressing on the principle of “growth in harmony with nature”.
In his address in the state assembly on the first day of the Budget session, Gangwar said the Jharkhand government has set up a system to ensure holistic development, peace and well-being of every citizen.
The government has “adopted a zero-tolerance policy and established a crime-free and fear-free environment” in the state, he said.
“Action is being taken against disruptive forces and extremists. In 2025, as many as 1,413 cases related to cybercrime were lodged, and 1,268 people were arrested. A total amount of Rs 111 crore has been blocked through the Cyber Helpline-1930 and around Rs 12 crore has been returned to the victims’ accounts,” the governor said.
Gangwar asserted that the state was progressing in “the direction of investment, innovation and inclusive development”.
The state, for the first time, participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos and presented Jharkhand’s investment-oriented policies, good governance and continuous development commitments.
The state also highlighted the investment opportunities in sectors such as green energy, critical minerals, tourism, higher education, renewable energy, manufacturing and emerging technologies before the global community, he said.
“Jharkhand’s participation on the global platform was not merely a formality; it was an important and meaningful effort to present the state’s development model based on the principle of growth in harmony with nature,” he added.
The government team’s Davos (Switzerland) and UK visit helped generate investment proposals worth around Rs 1.27 lakh crore, he added.
With an intention to provide jobs to unemployed youth, the government has been organising recruitment camps and ‘Rojgar Mela’ in the state.
“During the current financial year, as many as 229 recruitment camps and 85 employment fairs were organised and a total of 12,576 youths were provided with jobs in private sector companies,” he added.
Gangwar said the government has been working for the development of rural Jharkhand by improving roads, electricity, water, housing and toilets.
In a bid to empower women and enhance their livelihoods, the government has identified 47,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ during the current financial year.
“To date, over 4 lakh women have been recognised as Lakhpati Didis, serving as inspiring examples of self-reliance and economic self-sufficiency,” the governor added.
With the objective of protecting and empowering the culture, traditions, and social systems of tribal communities through traditional gram sabhas, the government has notified the Panchayat Provisions (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Jharkhand Rules, 2025.
Gangwar said the government is laying an extensive network of advanced roads to realise the vision of a developed Jharkhand.
Approval has been granted for a total of 116 projects at a cost of Rs 3,112 crore, out of which work on 1,008 km of road projects and 8 bridge projects has been completed.
“Construction of flyovers, ROBs and bypasses is underway to make cities free from traffic congestion,” he added.
Seeking the Centre’s cooperation for Jharkhand’s development, Gangwar said that no state government could achieve the desired development targets without central assistance.
“Due to lack of desired financial assistance, our government is facing difficulties in implementing large and ambitious schemes for development and prosperity. Our government expects that the central government will provide desired assistance and cooperation for the development of Jharkhand,” he added.
On the governor’s statement seeking Centre’s cooperation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren later told reporters outside the assembly that the administration expects the Union government’s support as the state is poor and backward.
“We are doing our work as per our capacity. There are plenty of requirements and challenges. The central government is definitely there somewhere in the role of an elder brother. Therefore, the Centre should pay special attention to states like Jharkhand,” Soren said.
The Budget session of the Jharkhand Assembly, which started on Wednesday, will continue till March 19.
Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato addressed the House and said there would be 17 working days during the session, and the Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal would be tabled on February 24.
Mahato said the assembly has taken an important step towards technological modernisation with partial implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA).
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had on February 11 inaugurated the NeVA Seva Kendra on the Jharkhand Assembly premises to facilitate digital and paperless legislative functioning and enhance transparency. Members were given training that day but it was decided to launch the initiative partially so that members would have time to adopt it.
“The Zero Hour notices will be obtained online through the NeVA application during the session. In future, all proceedings will go digital. This is an initiative towards the direction of paperless assembly,” Mahato said.
The first day of the Budget session of the Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned till 11am on Thursday after obituary references were made to eminent personalities who died recently. PTI SAN BDC SAN ACD
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