Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has announced a significant move to alleviate financial burdens on low-income families, declaring that old electricity bills will be waived for those living below the poverty line. Speaking at a gathering in Dumka on Tuesday, Soren emphasized his government’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable electricity, stating, “Our government is giving 200 units of free electricity and now in the first phase, all the old electricity dues of the poor who do not give Income Tax Returns will be waived off. The government will also assess middle-class families. The government is trying to send a zero rupee bill to everyone’s house.”
Soren’s announcement comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in Jharkhand, with the BJP actively seeking to destabilize the ruling coalition. Soren directly addressed the BJP’s actions, asserting that they are driven by fear of the state government’s developmental initiatives. “The BJP is scared of the development work of the state government, and is now engaged in a campaign to break the government and MLAs, but he will not let their plans succeed,” Soren stated.
The recent decision by former Chief Minister Champai Soren to join the BJP has added fuel to the fire, leading to speculation and questions regarding the political landscape in Jharkhand. When pressed by the media about Champai Soren’s defection, Hemant Soren declined to comment on the matter.
In a further display of his government’s focus on empowering women, Soren transferred ₹ 73.29 crore directly to the bank accounts of 732,906 women across six districts of Jharkhand – Dumka, Deoghar, Godda, Sahebganj, Jamtara, and Pakur – under the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance and support to women in the state.
Targeting the BJP and the central government, Soren underscored the state government’s commitment to all-round development and reiterated his stance against the opposition’s attempts to mislead the public. “The State government is ready for the all-round development of the State and the people of the State but the opposition is busy misleading the people,” he stated.
Emphasizing the crucial role of women in societal progress, Soren asserted that Jharkhand’s future lies in empowering half of its population. “The state will move forward only if it strengthens and empowers half the population. Participation of women is necessary in all circumstances for the development of the state. This is the reason why our government is committed to empowering half the population. Our government is working to bring smiles to the faces of women through various schemes,” he said.
In response to Champai Soren’s decision to join the BJP, BJP leaders have launched a counteroffensive, predicting a mass exodus of leaders from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Babulal Marandi, the Jharkhand BJP chief, alleged that dissatisfaction within the party, fueled by perceived corruption among officials surrounding Hemant Soren, was leading to a growing exodus. “First Sita Soren left the party, then you are seeing Champai Soren leaving the party. Just wait and watch how many more people will leave the party,” Marandi stated.
The recent developments in Jharkhand are indicative of a fierce political battle, with both the ruling coalition and the BJP vying for control of the state. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what impact the ongoing political machinations will have on the future of Jharkhand and its people.