Robust policies in the state and an efficient ground implementation gaining strength and speed under Hemant Soren’s leadership is ensuring a golden tomorrow.
SPORTS POLICY 2022
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, many efforts have been made for the development of sports and players in the last four years. Taking this forward, for the first time in the Asian continent, the Women’s Asian Hockey Champion Trophy 2023 was hosted in Jharkhand of late.
Efforts are being made to promote sports at the school level to hone the talent of skilled school children of the state. On the other hand, the Sahay Scheme has been initiated, aiming to spread positivity among the youth living in Naxal hit areas through sports. Through this initiative, a total of 75,000 players participated in the first year.
To keep the physical fitness of the players intact, the quantity of food given to them has been increased more than double. Rs 175 given as food amount per player is now increased to Rs 350. Also, sports centres are being renovated for better accommodation of the players. The government is also providing high-quality sports kits to the players participating in national and international sports competitions. Modern sports stadiums of international standards are being built for the tournaments while on the other hand, sports grounds are being constructed at the Panchayat and Panchayat level and stadiums are being built at the block level for the domestic players as well.
The amount of honorarium given to the players and coaches who represented the state in national, international and Olympic games and won gold, silver and bronze medals in the competitions was increased. The government has amended the cash award rules for the promising players of the state. The earlier provision of Rs 7,000, has been revised to Rs 50,000 under the Sports Policy – 2022. For a gold medal winner in the Olympics, Rs 2 crore has been increased to Rs 5 crore. Recently, the Chief Minister awarded prize money worth Rs 5 crore to 222 players and 52 coaches for 19 sports.
The present government has been sensitive towards the former players who have brought pride to Jharkhand. A provision has been made to give pension of Rs 10,000 per month to the former players. If a former player dies, a provision has been made to give a grant of Rs 5,000 to his family.
CHEVENING-MARANG GOMKE JAIPAL SINGH MUNDA SCHOLARSHIP
The Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme 2021 was rolled out by the State Government in September 2021 for the scholars coming from the Scheduled Tribe communities to pursue higher studies in universities across the United Kingdom. The scholars were able to pursue 1-year Masters or a 2-year M. Phil in select 15 top universities of the United Kingdom across 22 courses. The first cohort of 6 selected scholars flew to pursue their aspirations in September 2021. They are currently pursuing their higher studies
at Loughborough University, University of Warwick, University of Sussex and several other varsities. Under this scheme, every year, up to 10 students from the Scheduled Tribe communities of Jharkhand are to be selected. During the launch event of the Marang
Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme 2021 in September 2021, Soren had shared his vision of including the scholars belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other minority communities other than the Scheduled Tribes. In less than one year of time, fulfilling his promise to expand the one of its kind overseas scholarship schemes in the country, Hemant Soren led government has increased the ambit and the number of beneficiaries of the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme to 25. In this direction, the Government of Jharkhand and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Government of the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a new Chevening-Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship programme for the marginalised communities from the state.
Industrial Policy 2021
The industrial Policy 2021 aims to attract investment, create job opportunities
The industry-friendly policies of his government are the reason for industrial players coming to Jharkhand. “Our government had brought out a new industrial policy in 2021 not only to attract investment but also to create job opportunities. It is due to such policies that more industries are setting up units in Jharkhand,” Soren said at an event organised to celebrate Tinplate Company’s Rs 2,000 crore expansion project in Jamshedpur.
To attract investors, the government had proposed attractive incentive provisions, promising investors up to 100 per cent relief from SGST for up to nine years whereas 75 per cent for large-scale industries which is again for up to 12 years. The policy incentivizes investors up to Rs 25 crore as a comprehensive investment project subsidy with an additional 5 per cent incentive provision for SC/ST/women/specially-abled investors.
The policy has provisions for early bird subsidy, anchor subsidy, interest subsidy and power subsidy.
Employment will be created if industries are set up in the state. After we launched the new policy along with Tata Group several other industrial houses have shown interest in investing in Jharkhand. A cement factory had already started production in Bokaro.
Praising the Tata Group, Hemant said: “Tata group has played a big role in the development of this country and the state. The construction of Tata Cancer Hospital has been completed. Soon it will be dedicated to the people of the state.
Tata Steel CEO and MD T. V. Narendran said that the cancer hospital project in Ranchi is nearing completion and will be inaugurated by Hemant soon.
Sources in the Tinplate company informed that the expansion work will be completed by 2026 after which the annual production would increase from the existing 0.415 Million Ton Per Annum (MnTPA) to 0.715 Mn“The upcoming facilities will have state-of-the-art technology and higher levels of automation to cater to domestic and export markets, minimize man-machine interface, enhance safety aspects, and be designed to meet the EU environmental norms. This expansion is a significant milestone in the company’s growth and commitment to the state. We are committed to partnering with the Jharkhand government and local communities to promote the economic and social development of the region,” said R.N. Murthy, managing director of Tinplate Company.
Tourism Policy 2021
The new Jharkhand tourism policy includes having strategic joint ventures with private tour operators for setting up tourist packages and services, upgrading the tourist information centres (TICs) and conducting a detailed assessment of tourism potential of every district.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the new tourism policy of the state and announced that National Geographic India has been roped in for an upcoming documentary series to boost the state’s tourism sector.
“Jharkhand is a hidden treasure house of nature, culture and sustainable living. From traces of ancient human civilisation to its picturesque natural beauty, charismatic heritage and the deep-rooted indigenous traditions and communities — it is a place you will feel at home,” Soren said on the occasion.
He said Jharkhand has been battling a lot of challenges and Covid-19 has hit the tourism industry hard. “Many people suffered losses during the coronavirus pandemic, especially those associated with the tourism industry and hence, this new policy will help them recover their losses,” he said.
The new Jharkhand tourism policy includes having strategic joint ventures with private tour operators for setting up tourist packages and services, upgrading the tourist information centres (TICs) and conducting a detailed assessment of tourism potential of every district. It also includes the involvement of experts in planning and executing “master plans” for the development of tourism circuits and tourism-related projects.
The strategy of the new policy includes conducting effective public awareness campaigns, particularly among the tribals, organising buyer-seller meetings to market the tourism products effectively and training all the stakeholders in tourism promotion, marketing and tourism-related services.
Solar Policy 2022
Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, announced an ambitious new solar policy on July 5, 2022 in an effort to raise clean energy capacity from 45 MW to 4,000 MW over the course of the following five years and draw in investors.
The Jharkhand Solar Policy, 2022 would promote rooftop solar panels for residences in urban areas in addition to creating a better environment for larger plants. People with an annual income of less than Rs 3 lakhs may be eligible for a subsidy of up to 80% of the overall installation cost. The State is committed to supporting India’s concerted action against climate change by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying the energy mix with various renewable energy sources, which would also improve the State’s energy security and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to its people. The Government of Jharkhand recognizes the significant potential of solar energy due to its topography. The State has around 300 days of clear sun with high solar insolation in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Supported by technological developments and national mandate, solar energy has steadily grown with parity to conventional fuels. The State aims to take a systematic, transparent and streamlined approach to scaling the share of solar in its energy mix and reap the various socio-economic, health and environmental benefits it offers.
GREEN ENERGY
The Jharkhand government has inked a pact with TCPL Green Energy Solutions Private Ltd (TGESPL), a joint venture between Tata Motors and Cummins Inc, USA to set up the country’s “first” hydrogen fuel project in Jamshedpur at an estimated cost of over Rs 350 crore, officials said. The agreement was signed between the state government and TCPL Green Energy Solutions here in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, for setting up the project, which would entail an investment of Rs 354.28 crore.
“The facility is expected to start commercial production in March 2024, and likely provide employment to about 1,000 people directly or indirectly.
As per Executive Director, Tata Motors, Girish Wagh, the company is committed to provide green, smart and safe mobility. Soren had earlier announced that the hydrogen internal combustion engine and fuel-agnostic engine will be developed in Jamshedpur by TCPL Green Energy Solutions.
He had given approval to the investment proposal for the unit for manufacturing advance chemistry battery, H2 fuel cell and H2 fuel delivery system. “There are several advantages of hydrogen fuel, as it is available in abundance and does not emit harmful substances.