In a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the progress of welfare and development schemes across all districts was thoroughly evaluated. The meeting, held via video conferencing, focused on initiatives led by departments including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare, Women and Child Development and Social Security, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Home.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for prompt, transparent, and committed execution of all flagship schemes to ensure benefits reach the grassroots. Present at the review were Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretaries Avinash Kumar and Ajay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Vandana Dadel, and other senior officials. Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from all districts joined virtually.
DCs Directed to Accelerate Implementation of Schemes at District Level
CM Soren urged district officials to ramp up the pace of development projects to ensure that state-run schemes reach the last mile. Stressing accountability, he instructed that all schemes must be completed within stipulated deadlines to maximize public benefit.
He issued a specific directive to ensure residents do not face drinking water shortages during the summer months and asked officials to develop and implement water management plans swiftly.
Forest Fires, Land Records, and Public Services
Highlighting recurring forest fire incidents during summer, the CM reminded officials of the government’s commitment to forest preservation. He called for immediate resolution of fire hazards.
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He also stressed that block offices, revenue circles, and police stations represent the government’s face and must operate transparently. Tasks such as issuing land receipts, processing mutations, and providing official certificates should be handled efficiently to reinforce public trust. Small grievances should also be resolved promptly.
Deadline Set for Pending Scholarship Payments
Reviewing the Welfare Department, the CM directed that all pending Pre-Matric scholarship payments (for Classes 1 to 10) for SC, ST, Minority, and Backward Class students be completed by May 8, 2025. He mandated strict timelines for verification and disbursal and said no applications should remain pending.
He also instructed that district-level meetings of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and SC/ST Atrocities Act Committees be held regularly. Further, Deputy Commissioners were told to prioritize CFRR approvals under Forest Rights and ensure strong state-level follow-up mechanisms.
A directive was also issued to create a comprehensive database through joint district teams for repair needs of government hostels. Verification of current hostel residents was ordered, along with third-party evaluations of businesses started under the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Scheme. Branding of scheme assets was also recommended.
Medical Infrastructure Expansion and Blood Bank Network Strengthening
On healthcare, CM Soren reviewed the Health and Family Welfare Department’s projects. Under the 15th Finance Commission, 1,117 new health sub-centers are set for construction—949 in Phase I and 168 in Phase II. He instructed medical officers and local officials to finalize land selection for these centers.
A plan to hire private doctors at health sub-centers is underway. A panel of specialists will be prepared to serve at these centers as needed. The CM said district, subdivision, and block hospitals must be staffed with enough specialists and health workers to deliver quality care.
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He proposed building helipads at all medical colleges and AIIMS Deoghar and ordered creation of a statewide blood bank circuit. Government employees were encouraged to participate in blood donation drives. Within three months, all blood banks must maintain sufficient stock, he directed. A portal with real-time blood availability data is also in development.
All Civil Surgeons were tasked with preparing and regularly updating health profiles at the district level, particularly in mining zones.
Completion of Anganwadi Centers and Smart Upgrades Ordered
Reviewing the Women, Child Development and Social Security Department, CM Soren noted that funds have been released for building Anganwadi centers in 386 tribal-dominated hamlets under the PM Janman Yojana. DCs were told to identify land and complete construction promptly.
He also directed swift land allocation for 945 Anganwadi centers under the “Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan” and ordered upgrading of 16,775 Anganwadi centers into “Saksham Anganwadi Kendras” with smart TVs, RO water systems, electricity, and toilets. Geotagged photographs of all upgraded centers must be maintained.
Additionally, 4,000 selected Anganwadi workers are to be appointed without delay. Verification for the CM Maiyan Samman Yojana must be completed within 15 days, and bank accounts of beneficiaries should be Aadhaar-linked immediately.
Agri Schools to Develop Nurseries; Kharif Monitoring Intensified
In his review of the Agriculture Department, CM Soren instructed that nurseries be developed in farmer training schools across districts. Farmers should be able to access saplings of fruit-bearing plants easily.
Special control rooms will monitor seed distribution during the Kharif season. Districts must monitor the sale of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds to prevent illegal practices. Under the Livestock Scheme, 100% insurance coverage and claim settlement for animal deaths must be ensured.
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Clusters for micro-irrigation schemes were ordered, along with self-registration and verification of farmers under the PM Kisan Yojana.
Rural Development: MGNREGA Targets, PMAY-G Push, App-Based Monitoring
Under Rural Development, DCs were instructed to create 12 crore person-days of work under MGNREGA in FY 2025-26, aligning with central targets. Last year, 10.09 crore person-days were generated against a 9 crore target, achieving 112%.
However, underperformance by certain districts was noted. Monthly progress monitoring was emphasized.
DCs were directed to monitor at least 20 MGNREGA projects per month via the Area Officer App to ensure transparency. For Abua Awas and PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), timely disbursement of installments must be ensured.
Beneficiaries are now allowed to geo-tag their homes via the app, and awareness campaigns will encourage them to do so. Of the 19.84 lakh surveyed for PMAY-G 2.0 housing, surveys of remaining eligible households must be completed by April 30, 2025. Pending PMAY-G homes from 2016–2022 (approx. 27,000) must be completed urgently.
Crackdown on Opium Cultivation and Drug Abuse
The CM ordered crackdowns on illegal opium cultivation in Ranchi, Khunti, Chatra, and other affected districts. Public awareness campaigns will highlight the legal consequences of poppy farming.
Strict action was also directed against drug suppliers near urban schools and colleges.
Jail Inspections and Prisoner Rights
Finally, CM Soren instructed regular inspections of all jails in Jharkhand. Illegal activities inside prisons must be eradicated, and inmates should be provided with proper facilities, including access to legal aid.
