Jharkhand CM apprised over NITI Aayog action 

Ranchi, Mar 1: Chief Minister  Hemant Soren presided over the meeting of NITI Aayog held in the Chief Minister’s Room in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday evening.

In the meeting  Chief Minister Hemant Soren was informed about the decision taken during meeting with NITI Aayog held on 15th September 2021, meeting with Amitabh Kant, chairman, NITI Aayog held in New Delhi on 8th November 2021 on policy regarding Ministry of Power, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Coal .

The Chief Minister was apprised of the action taken report by the commission. On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, Rajiv Kumar with a memento.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren after the September last year meeting with NITI Aayog was hopeful of bridging the gap between the Centre and the state.

“They have assured that a meeting will be organised soon for sorting out outstanding issues between the Centre and the state,” Soren had told after the meeting with a 8-member Niti Aayog team led by its member V.K. Paul. 

Reminding that the Centre had already deducted about Rs 2,800 crore from the state’s consolidated fund and was to deduct Rs 1,100 crore more soon for payment to Damodar Valley Corporation towards electricity charges though Jharkhand had contested the amount claimed and also expressed willingness to exist from the existing tripartite agreement. “We have requested to keep such deductions on hold until the matter is sorted out,” Soren had said, adding the Niti Aayog gave a positive reply as they did in case of GST compensation also.

Soren had also raised about state’s due of  Rs 1,800 crore towards GST compensation  and Coal India Limited which owed the Jharkhand government a huge amount towards royalty for coal mined and compensation for the land used for the purpose.

Among other issues that the state government raised included demanding Rs 300 crore for addressing prevalent malnutrition among children and another Rs 600 crore for cleansing Damodar river that became too polluted.

The Jharkhand government also demanded special concessions such as relaxation in taxes for SC/ST entrepreneurs as in force in the Northeast.