Centre targeting Jharkhand's mines and minerals: JMM MLA Kalpana Soren

Soren remarked that prominent central leaders have been frequently visiting Jharkhand, and accused the Centre of exploiting the state's natural resources without fairly compensating it. She stated that although the Centre extracts resources from Jharkhand, it fails to pay the dues it owes.

For several months, the JMM-led Jharkhand government has been demanding that the Centre clear the Rs 1.36 trillion owed to the state's mining entities.

She also mentioned that Chief Minister Hemant Soren has repeatedly called for the payment of the outstanding amount, which remains unpaid. She added that if Jharkhand had received its rightful dues, the state's development would have progressed at a faster pace.

The legislator, who is the wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, made these remarks during a rally held as part of the Maiya Samman Yatra, a JMM initiative aimed at garnering support from women voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, expected to be announced soon.

Soren further emphasised that the Maiya Samman Yatra is intended to unite people of all castes, classes, and religions, rather than focusing on any particular group.

She also alleged that Hemant Soren had been imprisoned for five months as part of a conspiracy, which led to the delay in disbursing funds under the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna, a financial assistance scheme for underprivileged women.