The Jharkhand Government has been demanding Rs 1,36,000 crore dues from Central PSUs and the Government of India.
The Central Government clarified in the Lok Sabha that there are no dues owed to Jharkhand, specifically rejecting the demand for royalty payments amounting to Rs 1.36 lakh crore.
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated in the Lok Sabha on Monday that Jharkhand is not being discriminated against in any manner.
Independent MP Pappu Yadav had raised the issue concerning the royalty on coal and minerals, claiming that the Centre owes Rs 1.36 lakh crore to Jharkhand. Responding to Yadav, Chaudhary affirmed that no such outstanding amount exists.
Notably, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had brought up the matter in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September. Soren urged the Centre to pay the alleged outstanding amount.
The Chief Secretary of Jharkhand had also communicated with the Centre, asserting that the amount is due from coal companies operating in the State.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had highlighted this as a major issue during the Assembly elections. Massive hoardings were erected across the State, demanding the Rs 1.36 lakh crore payment from the Centre.
The JMM maintains that if the Central Government releases the funds, the money would be utilised to benefit the poor in Jharkhand. The party promised that a network of government schemes would be implemented in every village.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Soren took to social media today, appealing to Jharkhand BJP MPs to raise their voices in Parliament to ensure the State’s legitimate demands are met.
He emphasised that the outstanding amount is crucial for Jharkhand’s development and would play a significant role in improving the lives of its citizens.
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