CM seeks Rs 6,000cr for JJM, flags Rs 1.36L cr arrears in coal royalties

Ranchi: During the 11th governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog in Delhi on Thursday, chief minister Hemant Soren raised key financial and policy demands before the Centre, demanding expedited release of Rs 6,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and settlement of Rs 1.36 lakh crore in dues in the form of royalties from coal companies.He also pressed for changes in District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) norms, simplification of land acquisition processes, and faster approvals for infrastructure- and education-linked schemes.During his address, Hemant emphasised that Jharkhand’s mineral wealth will be meaningful only when linked with human capital and local value addition. “I urge the Centre to support development of critical mineral-based industries, manufacturing ecosystems, and research and innovation hubs within the state to help us move beyond the traditional image of only a mining region,” he said.The CM highlighted investment potential in sectors such as textiles, electronics, green energy, logistics and agro-food processing. He said, “The state is promoting AI-based mineral exploration and sustainable mining practices to position Jharkhand as a new hub for industry and employment, and active support is expected from the Centre.”On social infrastructure, Soren pointed out that nearly 15,000 of the state’s 38,000 anganwadi centres still lack buildings, even as initiatives like Poshan Abhiyan and SAAMAR have helped improve nutrition indicators. He said, “As many as 5,000 new anganwadi buildings are being constructed using state resources, with eggs being provided daily to children.”On education, Hemant said that the students from CM Schools of Excellence are now qualifying for IITs and medical colleges, with a target to develop 5,000 such institutions. He also demanded expansion of PM Shri and Kendriya Vidyalayas and sought the establishment of an NCERT regional centre in the state.Focusing on employment, Hemant said over 1 lakh youths are being linked to jobs annually, while 6.76 lakh have been trained under the Sarathi scheme in emerging domains like AI, EVs, drones and solar energy. “Additionally, 53,000 women have received training in modern technical sectors,” he added.He said that the state is focusing on strengthening healthcare access at the panchayat level, noting that 1,276 rural medicine outlets are operational. “Proposals for increasing UG and PG seats in medical colleges must be fast-tracked by the Centre. The state is working on AI-based digital health profiles,” he said.Hemant also flagged Jharkhand’s growing achievements in sports and demanded a sports university and centres of excellence. In agriculture, he said over 10 lakh nutrition gardens and fruit plantations across 1.5 lakh acres are helping combat malnutrition, with Jharkhand mangoes reaching global markets.He also informed about the state’s focus on digital governance initiatives, including plans for the setting up of an AI-driven CM data intelligence platform and integrated command centres for stronger safeguards against digital fraud.