Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren commenced departmental reviews on Monday, holding extensive meetings to evaluate the functioning and progress of the water resources and finance departments. In a session attended by Minister Hafizul Hassan and senior officials, Soren stressed the importance of completing all irrigation projects within stipulated timelines and expanding existing facilities to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen farmers' incomes.
Water Resources Department Review
The Chief Minister took stock of ongoing mega lift irrigation schemes, pipeline-based irrigation projects, dams, and multi-purpose initiatives. He directed officials to accelerate work on pipeline-based projects to ensure both irrigation and drinking water needs are met promptly. According to a communique from the information and public relations department, Soren emphasized river water conservation and instructed the department to prepare practical plans to retain river water within the state and channel it to farms.
Soren also suggested developing localized solutions, such as lifting river water into smaller reservoirs for irrigation and ensuring adequate water availability in ponds to promote fisheries alongside agriculture. These measures aim to enhance water security and support sustainable farming practices.
Finance and Commercial Taxes Department Review
Earlier in the day, while reviewing the finance and commercial taxes departments, the Chief Minister stressed the need to make Jharkhand self-reliant. He called for optimal utilization of resources, strict monitoring of expenditure, and effective implementation of schemes. Officials reported that mining revenue in Jharkhand currently surpasses that of neighboring states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Soren urged them to further improve performance by curbing illegal mining and leveraging modern technology to enhance transparency.
Fiscal Management and Future Plans
Finance Minister Radha Krishana Kishore informed reporters that the state's fiscal management is improving. He stated, “Focus now is to ensure that Jharkhand becomes a revenue-surplus state to become self-sufficient, especially when the Centre often delays fund releases. With GST rationalization and the rollout of VB-G RAM G, the state is estimated to incur a fiscal burden of at least around Rs 10,000 crore, which we need to manage from our own resources.”
The Chief Minister’s comprehensive reviews underscore his administration's commitment to efficient governance and sustainable development. By prioritizing irrigation projects and fiscal discipline, the state aims to boost agricultural productivity, enhance water availability, and achieve economic self-reliance. These efforts are expected to create a robust foundation for Jharkhand's growth, benefiting farmers and the broader population.
