THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, May 19: The BJP on Tuesday demanded a White Paper from the Hemant Soren government on the Chief Minister’s foreign tours and the investment proposals announced during those visits.
Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters in Ranchi, BJP state spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo accused the Hemant Soren government of turning official foreign visits into “political tourism exercises” without delivering visible industrial growth or employment opportunities.
Pratul said the government had claimed investments worth ₹3,000–₹4,000 crore after the Sweden-Spain tour and later announced agreements worth ₹1.27 lakh crore following visits to Davos and the United Kingdom, promising nearly 46,500 jobs.
BJP questions implementation of projects
The BJP leader alleged that several high-profile projects announced by the government remain stuck on paper.
He cited the proposed ₹1,500 crore mega convention centre in Ranchi with Spain’s Fira de Barcelona, claiming that neither land selection nor the financial model has been finalised so far.
Pratul also questioned the progress of the proposed ₹1,300 crore battery storage plant linked to a Tesla group company, alleging that no land allotment or construction work has begun.
He further claimed that announcements related to Volvo’s proposed electric bus and truck manufacturing unit, investment plans linked to the Zetron Group, and a football coaching partnership with Spain’s Espanyol Club had shown no concrete progress.
Davos investment claims under scanner
Targeting the Davos visit, Pratul alleged that the government had heavily publicised Tata Steel’s ₹11,000 crore investment proposal even though most projects were part of pre-planned expansion activities.
He also alleged that companies such as Tech Mahindra, Hitachi, Infosys, Welspun and Lulu Group were highlighted mainly for publicity purposes.
Pratul said several major investment proposals announced by the Chief Minister’s Office, including projects by the Jindal Group, Utkal Alloys, Rungta Group, Ambuja Cement and Sunshine Group, have not moved beyond announcements.
Demanding transparency, the BJP leader asked the state government to release a detailed White Paper disclosing the actual status of all investment proposals linked to the Chief Minister’s foreign visits.
BJP co-media in-charge Ashok Baraik was also present during the press conference.