Jharkhand News: Jharkhand Cabinet Approves 27 Key Development Decisions, Discusses Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary

Ranchi, September 24, 2025: The Jharkhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on September 24, 2025, approved 27 significant proposals aimed at the state’s development across education, health, electricity, forestry, water, and police services. The cabinet also held detailed discussions regarding the Saranda forest region, one of the largest sal forest areas in the state.

Approval for Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary and Tribal Assessment

During the meeting, the Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change presented a proposal to notify 57,590.41 hectares (approximately 575.19 square kilometers) in Chaibasa district as the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary. The cabinet directed that prior to issuing the notification, a comprehensive field assessment of the economic and social conditions of the tribal communities residing in the area, along with their ongoing activities, be conducted. A report from the Group of Ministers will subsequently be presented to the Cabinet.

Education and Infrastructure Development Initiatives

The Cabinet sanctioned ₹97.65 crore for constructing a new building and renovating the existing infrastructure at Ranchi Polytechnic College. Further, ₹116.54 crore was approved for constructing residential schools in Kolhan (Chaibasa), Santhal Pargana (Dumka), and Bokaro districts. The approval also included revised administrative clearance of ₹68.90 crore for the Sahebganj Urban Water Supply Project.

Water, Electricity, and Dam Projects Sanctioned

Significant investments were approved for the completion of pending works under the North Koel (Shaheed Neelambar-Pitamber) project amounting to ₹774.55 crore. Multiple electricity transmission lines and grid stations received financial sanction, including:

The cabinet also approved rehabilitation plans for 780 families across seven villages affected by the North Koel Dam submergence area.

Health, Compensation, and Social Welfare Decisions

The cabinet approved compensation for injured victims and families of the deceased in the MGM Hospital incident in Jamshedpur. Under the One Stop Centre scheme, four new centers will be established. Additionally, the annual allowances of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and Girls’ Residential School employees were increased by 4%.

Policy and Governance Measures

The Jharkhand Private Security Rules, 2023, were amended per directives from the Home Ministry. VAT reductions were approved for alcoholic beverages, lowering rates from 75% to 5% for English liquor and 35% to 1% for desi liquor. Terms for the tenure of chairpersons and members of the State and District Consumer Commissions were extended. The cabinet approved the Jharkhand Secretariat Office Procedure Manual, 2025, and sanctioned adjustments and pension benefits for government employees, including retired and serving female welfare officers.

Environmental and Industrial Approvals

Hindalco Industries received land allotment approval for 271.92 acres in exchange for ₹29.40 crore for afforestation, marking permanent land transfer. The cabinet discussed measures to ensure international-standard management and modernization of the Saranda forest region while considering tribal socio-economic conditions.

Broad-State Development Plans Sanctioned

Additional approvals encompassed water reservoir projects, rural development initiatives, educational and health infrastructure, and monitoring of all major state schemes. The cabinet’s decisions reinforce Jharkhand’s commitment to environmental conservation, tribal welfare, women’s safety, consumer rights, and overall sustainable development.