THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept 24: Days after the Supreme Court issued a stern warning to the Jharkhand Chief Secretary over delays in notifying the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, the state Cabinet on Wednesday decided that the final decision on the matter will be taken only after a Group of Ministers (GoM) submits its report. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, cleared 27 proposals, including a major land transfer for compensatory afforestation linked to Hindalco Industries.
Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary: Final Call After GoM Report
Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said that discussions were held with officials of relevant departments regarding the proposed notification of 57,590.41 hectares (575.19 sq. km) of forest land in West Singhbhum as Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary.
A Group of Ministers will now conduct a field assessment of the socio-economic conditions of the tribal communities living in the area, along with existing economic activities. Their report will be submitted to the state government, which will then decide on the notification.
The proposed sanctuary includes villages such as Ankua, Sahata, Karampada, Kudlibagh, Tirilghoshi, and Thalkobad. The issue has gained urgency following the Supreme Court’s recent intervention and strict warning to the state administration.
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A Balancing Act
With Saranda at the centre of judicial and environmental scrutiny, the Cabinet’s cautious stance reflects the pressure of balancing ecological protection with the livelihood concerns of forest-dwelling communities. At the same time, the clearance of industrial and infrastructure proposals highlights the government’s attempt to push ahead with development while staying aligned with court directives.
Hindalco and Compensatory Afforestation
The Cabinet also approved the permanent transfer of 271.92 acres of non-cultivable land in West Singhbhum to the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department for compensatory afforestation. This is instead of the de-notified forest land in the Chakla Coal Block, allotted to Hindalco Industries Limited in Latehar district.
The transfer will take place after Hindalco pays ₹29.40 crore to the government.
Major Approvals for Power Transmission Projects
The Jharkhand Cabinet on Wednesday also cleared a series of high-value power transmission projects, giving administrative approval and sanctioning full funds for release in the financial year 2025-26.
Transmission Lines
- Binod Bihari Chowk–Mahuda Line: Approval for the construction of a 132 KV transmission line with an estimated cost of ₹86.51 crore. The same amount has been sanctioned for release in FY 2025-26.
- Baliapur–Tundi Line: Construction of a 132 KV transmission line approved at an estimated cost of ₹154.17 crore, with full funds allocated in FY 2025-26.
- Chandankyari ITI Mod–Chas Line: Administrative approval granted for a 132 KV line at an estimated cost of ₹78.79 crore, with funds sanctioned in the current financial year.
- Binod Bihari Chowk–Maithan Line: Approval for a 132 KV transmission line costing ₹174.42 crore, with budgeted funds cleared for FY 2025-26.
- Dugda ITI Mod–Chas Line: Administrative approval for construction of a 132 KV line at a cost of ₹83.03 crore, with provisioned funds released for this year.
Grid Sub-Station
- Tundi Sub-Station: Administrative approval was given for a 132/33 KV Grid Sub-Station at Tundi, estimated at ₹74.95 crore. The Cabinet sanctioned release of the same amount in FY 2025-26.
Other Key Decisions
- Education: ₹97.65 crore approved for the construction and renovation of Government Polytechnic, Ranchi, to develop it as a state-of-the-art institute.
- Irrigation: ₹774.55 crore sanctioned for completing pending works of the Shaheed Nilambar Pitambar North Koel Project.
- Liquor VAT: VAT on liquor slashed sharply—on foreign liquor from 75% to 5%, and on country liquor from 35% to 1%.
- Law & Order: Approval to set up NDPS police stations in five districts.
- Social Welfare: Four new One Stop Centres approved, along with a 4% hike in honorarium for Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya staff.
- Compensation: Families of victims of the MGM Medical College building collapse in Jamshedpur to receive compensation.
