THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 15: The Jharkhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on Monday approved a series of significant proposals related to coal mining, mineral exploration, infrastructure development, forest management, irrigation projects, and government administration. The meeting’s key highlights included the approval of mining leases for major coal blocks in Bokaro and Godda districts, as well as a proposal to reserve emerald-bearing mineral blocks in East Singhbhum.
Cabinet Clears Major Coal Mining Leases
The Cabinet approved a coal mining lease for the Parbatpur Coal Block in Bokaro district, covering 2174.52 acres (880 hectares) across several villages, including Kendulia, Diberda, Birajdih, Nawadih, Telgadia, Devgram, Parbatpur, Tiltand, Amlabad, Karmatand, Nayavan, Silphor and Fatehpur.
Another major approval was granted for the Sitanala Coal Block in Chandankiyari block of Bokaro district. The mining lease covers villages such as Sitanala, Dakbera, Patthargarha, Shivbabudih, Bansara and Bhaura, spread over 792.568 acres according to the Cadastral Survey and 316.94 hectares as per geo-referenced records.
The Cabinet also approved a mining lease in favour of M/s Terri Mining Pvt. Ltd. for the Jitpur Coal Block in Sundarpahari block of Godda district. The lease area covers 497.10 hectares.
Proposal to Reserve Emerald Mineral Blocks
In a significant move for the state’s mining sector, the Cabinet approved a proposal to seek the Central Government’s sanction for reserving 24.47 square kilometres of emerald-bearing mineral blocks located in East Singhbhum district. The proposed reservation includes the Hariyan, Barunmuti, Chadriburu and Gudabandha emerald blocks under the provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957.
Forest Land and Compensatory Afforestation
The Cabinet approved the permanent transfer of 5.84 acres of land in Balardih village of Dhanbad district to the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change for compensatory afforestation. The transfer is linked to the widening and reconstruction of NH-419 between Pokharia More and Govindpur.
It also delegated powers to Deputy Commissioners for the free and permanent transfer of government land and deemed forest land to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation and related purposes.
Road Infrastructure and Irrigation Projects Get Boost
The Cabinet granted a revised administrative approval of ₹162.82 crore for the widening and strengthening of the Namkum–Doranda Road (MDR-002) in Ranchi into a four-lane corridor, including land acquisition and utility shifting works.
Another major infrastructure decision was the approval of the third revised estimate of ₹947.26 crore for the implementation of the Amanat Barrage Scheme in Palamu district.
JharNet Extension and Administrative Decisions
The Cabinet approved the extension of the Jharkhand State Wide Area Network (JharNet 2.0) project until July 31, 2026, with an expenditure sanction of ₹65.50 crore during the extended period.
Approvals were also granted for the regularisation of services of employees working in the Godda and Bokaro collectorates, revision of compensation norms for damages caused by wild animals, and the constitution of an Independent Panel of Experts under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
Legal and Governance-Related Approvals
The Cabinet accorded ex-post facto approval to the appointment of Advocate Rohitashya Roy as Advocate General of Jharkhand and approved the upgradation of a legal post in the Jharkhand High Court to facilitate the appointment of Achyut Keshav as Senior Additional Advocate General.
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of recommended candidates to the post of Motor Vehicle Inspector, in compliance with orders issued by the Jharkhand High Court.