Avinash Kumar Appointed as Jharkhand Chief Secretary
Avinash Kumar, a 1993-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Jharkhand’s new Chief Secretary after Alka Tiwari’s retirement. Chief Minister Hemant Soren praised Tiwari’s honest and efficient service while expressing confidence in Kumar’s administrative skills. Kumar, with strong experience in energy and development sectors, will also continue as Additional Chief Secretary to the CM and Chief Resident Commissioner.
Alka Tiwari Appointed Jharkhand State Election Commissioner
Former Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, who retired on 30th September 2025, has been appointed as Jharkhand’s State Election Commissioner. A 1988-batch IAS officer, her tenure will be four years, subject to the age limit of 65 years. The official notification was issued on 1st October. CM Hemant Soren had earlier praised her experience and service during her farewell.
Registry Post Service Ends After 171 Years, Speed Post to Take Over
India Post has discontinued its 171-year-old registry post service from 30th September 2025. From 1st October, registration will be available only through Speed Post, offering faster and safer delivery with OTP-based confirmation, proof of delivery, insurance, and online tracking. The last registered letter was issued as a collectible. New revised rates based on distance have also come into effect.
Coal India Misses H1 Target, Produces 329 MT Against 376 MT Goal
In the first half of FY 2025-26 (April–September), Coal India Limited produced 329.13 MT coal, short of its 376.6 MT target. Dispatch stood at 353.59 MT against the 422.75 MT goal. Subsidiary-wise output (MT): BCCL 15.74, CCL 29.53, ECL 20.34, MCL 96.53, NCL 69.38, SECL 72.66, WCL 24.84. NCL exceeded targets, while others lagged.
Villagers Oppose Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary Plan, Demand Protection of Livelihood
After Supreme Court’s push to declare Saranda forest a wildlife sanctuary, a five-member Group of Ministers visited West Singhbhum to hear locals. At a public meeting, villagers opposed the proposal, saying their farming, grazing, and forest-based livelihood would suffer. Ministers assured respect for public sentiment, with Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore promising that people’s rights and interests will be safeguarded.
Saryu Rai Urges Immediate Notification of Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary
Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Rai criticized the Jharkhand Government for delaying the declaration of Saranda as a wildlife sanctuary despite the Supreme Court’s strict order of 17th September, directing action by 7th October 2025. He recalled past assurances and warned that Saranda’s rich biodiversity is at risk from rampant mining, demanding urgent notification and a sustainable mining plan.
Strict Action Assured After Bokaro Steel Plant Accident
Three contract workers were severely injured in a hot metal spill at Bokaro Steel Plant’s SMS-2 unit. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha and SDO Pranjal Dhan reached the hospital to meet the victims and ordered two separate probe reports within 12 hours. The DC assured that negligence will not be spared and strict action will be taken against responsible officials.
SAIL-MTI Signs MoU with IIM Jammu to Develop Future Leaders
Steel Authority of India (SAIL), through its Management Training Institute, signed an MoU with IIM Jammu at SAIL’s corporate office in New Delhi. The partnership aims to build capable leadership in line with the changing business environment. This collaboration will help strengthen organizational capacity and prepare leaders to meet future challenges effectively.
BCCL Earns Rs. 1400 Crore in September, CMD Vows Action Against Coal Theft
Despite monsoon impact, BCCL realized Rs. 1400 crore in September with an average daily coal dispatch of 90000 tonnes. New CMD Manoj Kumar Agrawal assured strict action against illegal mining, coal theft, and labor exploitation, stressing that BCCL’s prosperity drives Dhanbad’s economy. He urged public awareness and pledged strong measures to protect revenue and boost production for sustainable growth.
Two JAS Officers Face Pay Hike Freeze Over Negligence
The Jharkhand Government has stopped the salary increments of two Jharkhand Administrative Service officers for negligence in duty. Former Mandar BDO Gopi Oraon was found guilty of misuse of funds in irrigation and pond construction under MGNREGA, while former Sonahatu BDO Alok Kumar violated land settlement procedures. Another officer, Neet Nikhil Surin, was cleared of charges after departmental inquiry.
ED Probe Reveals Ankit Raj’s Sand Scam, Rs. 3.12 Crore Laundered
Enforcement Directorate’s investigation found that Ankit Raj, son of ex-minister Yogendra Saw, used only 204 official challans but illegally transported 1294 sand trips, earning Rs. 3.12 crore through money laundering. A seized register exposed the scam. ED confirmed he ran a seven-member syndicate, misused political influence, threatened rivals, and acquired assets from illegal sand trade, many of which are already attached.
ED Attaches Rs. 15 Crore Properties in Rs. 734 Crore GST Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 10 properties worth Rs. 15.41 crore in Kolkata and Howrah belonging to GST scam accused Amit Gupta and associates. The syndicate, led by Shiva Kumar Deora and others, operated 135 shell firms across Jharkhand, Bengal, and Delhi, issuing fake invoices to generate fraudulent ITC worth Rs. 734 crore, causing huge revenue loss.
High Court Grants Bail to Pradeep Bagchi in Land Scam Case
The Jharkhand High Court has granted bail to Pradeep Bagchi, accused in a money laundering case linked to the 4.55-acre army land scam in Bariatu. Bagchi had been in jail for nearly two years. The ED opposed bail, but the court accepted his plea. The case also involves ex-DC Chhavi Ranjan and several land dealers.
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