November 15 carries a profound emotional weight for Jharkhand. It marks not only the birth anniversary of the legendary tribal icon Birsa Munda but also the foundation day of the state, created in the year 2000. Yet, twenty-five years later, Jharkhand finds itself battling for its own survival — not politically alone, but against economic exploitation, consumer insecurity and crumbling public systems.
Unregulated fake medicines: A threat to life
Jharkhand is facing a severe crisis of counterfeit medicines. The state currently has only 12 drug inspectors against a requirement of 42, leaving one inspector responsible for as many as four districts. As a result, the pharmaceutical supply chain remains largely unchecked.
A recent case in Sukhdeonagar exposed fake antibiotic tablets at a government health centre — the manufacturers’ details were fraudulent and the tablets contained no active ingredients. Experts warn that poor patients are the worst victims: they trust medication, complete the course, yet see no improvement because they were sold fake drugs. Even life-saving medicines for diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders and pregnancy care have been found to be compromised.
Although QR-code–based verification has been introduced, inadequate testing facilities make the system ineffective. Many districts lack proper drug-testing laboratories, raising serious questions about the state’s commitment to citizens’ safety.
Food adulteration at alarming levels
Food safety in Jharkhand has collapsed. The state’s only food testing laboratory recently lost its NABL accreditation due to lack of upgrades. This has effectively halted legal testing for adulterated food products.
Earlier, more than 1,200 samples were tested annually, with a shocking 40% found adulterated. Now, with no functioning lab, adulterators have a free hand — from toxic food colors in spices to contaminated grains, adulterated milk and pesticide-laden vegetables.
Last year, an FSSAI drive exposed alarming adulteration in spices: starch in black pepper, harmful dyes in chili powder and soil mixed into turmeric. The Jharkhand High Court has already expressed serious concern and ordered speedy appointment of food safety officers, but the directive remains largely unimplemented.
Cybercrime surge: Citizens lose hundreds of crores
Jharkhand continues to make national headlines for cybercrime. Between January and June 2025, the state recorded 11,910 cybercrime complaints — an average of 66 per day — and 767 arrests. Over the past eighteen months, cyber fraud has caused losses of ₹390 crore.
Victims include pensioners, small shopkeepers, single women and ordinary internet users. Fraudsters use foreign servers, fake digital arrests, blackmail and identity theft. Despite High Court directions to expedite refunds to victims, the process is still in its early stages.
Corruption deeply rooted
Corruption remains another major barrier to public welfare. Bribes are reportedly demanded even in government housing schemes like the Abua Awas. In the health sector, officials’ collusion enables the continued circulation of fake medicines. ACB has launched probes, including one against a former NGO branch inspector accused of extorting bribes for clearing files.
These cases reinforce that corruption in Jharkhand is systemic, not exceptional.
Consumer affairs ministry’s inaction
Despite the Consumer Protection Act 2019 being in force for five years, its implementation in Jharkhand remains weak. The role and functioning of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) at the state level also remain unclear.
A call for state and citizens to act
The article urges that Birsa Munda Jayanti and Jharkhand Foundation Day should not be reduced to symbolic celebrations. Instead, they must renew the state’s commitment to justice and welfare.
Key recommendations include:
· Crackdown on fake medicines: Increase drug inspectors, establish district-level modern drug-testing labs and digitize the entire medicine supply chain.
· Strengthen food safety: Upgrade the state food lab and open new testing facilities in major districts. Appoint food safety officers urgently.
· Combat cybercrime: Form dedicated cyber units in every district, expedite victim reimbursements and introduce cyber safety education in schools.
· Fight corruption: Empower the ACB and enforce mandatory rotation of officials to prevent entrenched corruption.
· Promote citizen responsibility: Encourage consumer awareness groups, prompt reporting of suspicious products and community monitoring of government schemes.
A new age of economic freedom
The article argues that while Birsa Munda fought for political freedom 150 years ago, today’s struggle is for economic freedom — from fake medicines, food adulteration, cybercrime and institutional corruption. These, it says, are the “new colonizers” looting Jharkhand from within.
The call is clear:
“Abua Raj, Tohrō Kāj” — Our state, our responsibility.
Time for a new people’s movement — for safety, justice and economic dignity.
Jai Birsa Munda! Jai Jharkhand!
(Author is the area organization minister of All India Consumer Panchayat.)
