Retd. Justice Navneet Kumar Sworn in as JSERC Chairperson
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office to Justice (Retd.) Navneet Kumar as the new Chairman of the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission on 26th August 2025 at Raj Bhavan, Ranchi. The ceremony, attended by CM Hemant Soren, MLA Kalpana Soren, and senior officials, marked Justice Kumar’s formal appointment to lead JSERC.
Jharkhand Assembly Cleared Five Key Bills including MSMEs and Gig Workers
The Jharkhand Assembly on 26th August 2025 passed five bills, including one shifting vice-chancellor appointments from the Governor to the State Government, sparking BJP protests. Other bills focused on boosting MSMEs with single-window clearances, welfare for gig workers, and stricter regulation of coaching centers and education fees to curb exploitation, aiming to improve governance, employment, and higher education reforms.
CM Hemant Soren Urged Protection of Locals Affected by Mining
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, in a meeting with Union MoS for Coal Satish Chandra Dubey, demanded stronger safeguards for communities affected by mining. He stressed rehabilitation, employment, and ecological balance, urging that land be returned to raiyats after mining ends. Soren sought people-centric policies and revenue use for locals’ welfare. Dubey assured Centre–state cooperation for sustainable solutions.
Coal Minister Announces Lithium Block Allocation Plans in Jharkhand
Union Minister of State for Coal Satish Chandra Dubey announced that the Centre will allocate Lithium blocks in Jharkhand to support India’s self-reliance drive by 2047. Speaking at GSI Kujju, he said Lithium will be vital for batteries and defence manufacturing. The move is expected to create jobs and fund local development through CSR and DMFT projects.
Jharkhand Notified Law Allowing Women to Work Night Shifts in Factories
The Jharkhand government has notified the Factories (Jharkhand Amendment) Act, 2025, permitting women to work night shifts from 7 pm to 6 am with their consent. Employers must ensure safety, leave, and working hour regulations. Earlier, the Factories Act, 1948 barred women from working between 10 pm and 5 am. The amendment is now effective across the state.
Jharkhand MSME Bill Grants Three-Year License Exemption
The Jharkhand Assembly passed the MSME (Special Exemption) Bill, 2025, allowing new micro, small, and medium enterprises to operate without licenses for three years. Entrepreneurs need only submit a self-declaration through the single-window system. No inspection will occur during this period unless safety is at risk. After three years, industries must obtain mandatory approvals within six months.
Jharkhand Assembly Passed Bill to Form Gig Workers’ Welfare Board
The Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday passed the Jharkhand Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025. The law mandates the creation of a welfare board chaired by the Labour Minister to protect gig workers’ rights. The board will oversee registration, ensure fair wages, and design welfare schemes including insurance, maternity benefits, loans, education, and social security.
Tata Steel MD Urged Long-Term Safeguard Duty to Counter Chinese Steel
Tata Steel CEO & MD T.V. Narendran warned that India’s steel industry faces severe pressure from China, which produces over half of global steel with cheaper logistics and policies. He called the government’s six-month 12% safeguard duty on imports a positive step but urged extension to three years, saying it would protect domestic players and ensure industry stability.
Tata Steel’s New Bar Surpasses Design Capacity
Tata Steel’s New Bar Mill (NBM), designed for 0.6 MTPA, celebrated its 20th foundation day in Jamshedpur, now achieving over 1.1 MTPA output and targeting 1.2 MTPA. The event saw senior leaders, union representatives, and employees honouring two decades of innovation, teamwork, and growth. Messages from past leaders praised NBM’s journey, while employees were felicitated for long service.
RSP Director Incharge Alok Verma Given Additional Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant
The Ministry of Steel has assigned Rourkela Steel Plant’s Director Incharge, Alok Verma, additional charge of Bokaro Steel Plant from 1st September to 30th November 2025, or until further orders. The move follows the retirement of B.K. Tiwari on 31st August. Meanwhile, Priya Ranjan has been selected as the new Director Incharge, pending formal clearances.
Locals Protest at Tata Steel’s Noamundi Mines, Demanded Jobs and CSR Benefits
On 25th August 2025, locals led by Zila Parishad member Man Singh Tiriya staged protests at Tata Steel’s Noamundi iron ore mines demanding 75% local employment and better CSR facilities. Protesters accused the company of neglecting regional development since 1907, forcing families to migrate for livelihoods while outsiders secured jobs in the mines.
Jharkhand Geared up for East Tech 2025 to Bring MSME and Army Together in Ranch
The curtain-raiser for EAST TECH 2025 was held in Ranchi, with Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth launching preparations for the premier defence technology exhibition, scheduled from 19th to 21st September at Khelgaon. The event stressed Atmanirbharta in defence, industry participation, and innovation. Over 200 participants are expected, aiming to strengthen sovereignty through indigenous technologies and boost India’s strategic self-reliance.
INTUC Chief Sanjeeva Reddy Urges Unions to Work Unitedly for Workers’ Rights
At the Jharkhand INTUC executive meeting in Jamshedpur, national president Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy called on affiliated unions to address workers’ problems collectively and discover new resources to safeguard labor rights. He emphasized tackling both organized and unorganized sector issues, while state president Rakeshwar Pandey stressed timely fee payments and stronger organizational unity to empower Jharkhand’s trade union movement.
CMPDI Signed MoA to Transform Five Schools in Ranchi through CSR Initiative
CMPDI signed an MoA with Yathasambhav Prayas Sampurna Vikas to launch the Panch Tatva School Transformation Programme in five Government schools of Kanke Block, Ranchi. With a budget of Rs. 32.73 lakh, the six-month project will benefit 1,500 students by providing safe drinking water, solar lighting, menstrual hygiene facilities, nutrition supplements, smart classrooms, and awareness sessions, reinforcing CMPDI’s CSR commitment.
JSIA to Hold 63rd Annual General Meeting in Ranchi on 30th August
The Jharkhand Small Industries Association (JSIA) will host its 63rd AGM on 30th August 2025 at Udyog Bhavan, Ranchi. Elections for the 2025-26 office bearers will be conducted, overseen by Arun Khemka and Philip Mathew. The meeting will review past initiatives and outline new strategies to boost MSME development, policy advocacy, and sectoral growth in Jharkhand.
Mahendra Pathak Re-Elected as CPI Jharkhand State Secretary
Mahendra Pathak was unanimously re-elected as the State Secretary of CPI Jharkhand during the party’s 8th state conference in Ranchi. He pledged to intensify mass movements on people’s issues and prepare for upcoming elections, including panchayat and municipal polls. The conference also passed resolutions on safeguarding Jharkhand’s resources, free education, and unemployment allowance, with senior leaders urging a stronger Left presence.
Retired IAS Vinod Chandra Jha Arrested in Hazaribagh Land Scam
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested retired IAS officer Vinod Chandra Jha in connection with the Hazaribagh land scam. He was posted as Social Welfare Officer when the alleged fraud occurred, alongside then DC Vinay Choubey, already jailed in related cases. The FIR was lodged nearly 18 years later, sending Jha to Hazaribagh jail.
Police Role Questioned in NTPC-Affected Keredari Villages
In NTPC-affected Keredari areas, villagers allege police are siding with the company instead of protecting locals. Residents claim peaceful protests are criminalized, FIRs filed, and agitators treated like criminals in custody. MLA Amba Prasad criticized this approach as undemocratic, while a local court even ordered a policeman’s suspension. Fear and distrust now dominate displaced families’ lives.
NTPC Faces Scrutiny Over Forest and Environmental Clearance Violations
In Hazaribagh’s Western Forest Division, NTPC has been accused of violating forest and environmental clearances by transporting coal via road instead of the approved conveyor system. An inquiry committee found clear breaches of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The controversy deepened after contradictory orders from forest officials, sparking criticism from investigating officers.
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