Jharkhand’s budget session heated up as Chief Minister Hemant Soren dropped hints of doubling down on victim support for wildlife attacks, particularly from elephants ravaging rural areas. Speaking on the fourth day, Soren addressed Congress legislator Rameshwar Oraon’s concerns, outlining a new SOP to streamline and enhance compensation processes.
The existing Rs 4 lakh payout pales against neighboring states’ offerings up to Rs 50 lakh. Soren’s team is benchmarking against successful models in Assam and Odisha, promising a swift upgrade. Key features of the SOP include 10-day payout timelines and broader inclusion of hyena, leopard, and snake fatalities.
Pinpointing illegal mining as a disruptor of elephant corridors, the CM assured crackdowns. This follows MLA Tiwari Mahto’s spotlight on Mandu encroachments, met with ministerial pledges of enforcement.
Retirement age debates surfaced with LJP’s Janardan Paswan advocating a shift to 62 years, mirroring Chhattisgarh and Centre’s policies. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore countered, prioritizing fresh hires for the educated unemployed youth.
Khijri’s Rajesh Kachhap urged clearing reserved category backlogs, receiving assurances of departmental progress.
Economic Survey 2025-26 showcased robust growth: GSDP leaped from Rs 1.51 lakh crore (2011-12) to Rs 3.03 lakh crore (2024-25), eyeing Rs 3.22 lakh crore soon. Per capita income hit Rs 1.17 lakh, a milestone. Budget scaled 20-fold to Rs 1.45 lakh crore for next year.
Banking thrives with deposits at Rs 3.80 lakh crore (220% rise) and loans at Rs 1.59 lakh crore (124% up). Services boom alongside agriculture. Calls for public reps in committees were noted but not committed to, per Bihar Reorganization Act constraints.
Post-lunch, the third supplementary budget passed unanimously, adjourning to February 24 for the main 2026-27 budget. Soren’s vision blends empathy for victims with economic momentum and youth focus.