Data-driven strategies unveiled: Jharkhand CM announces economic board and data platform; Aiming to enhance investment and monitor government schemes

Ranchi: CM Hemant Soren on Wednesday announced the formation of the Jharkhand State Economic Development Board for promoting investment and the ‘CM’s Data Intelligence Platform’ for monitoring the impact of govt schemes.Speaking at the concluding session of the assembly’s budget session, Hemant stated the govt was striving to ensure its schemes reach the grassroots level. He added that the proposed platform would analyse data of state projects and schemes, adding that their speed of implementation could also be increased.“The board would work towards attracting investment in various sectors, including energy transition, employment and social welfare.

Energy transition is a focus area,” he said, adding that Jharkhand would cooperate with Germany and other countries on the issue.The CM also announced that state govt would form five major eco-tourism sites by 2028. He said the govt would set up a Dishom Guru memorial, adding the centre would become a cultural hub. He said that 35 megaliths and monoliths in the state and the fossil park in Sahibgang would also be developed.

He said that till now the govt brought back bodies of migrants who died in accidents, but now efforts would be made to bring back those who died by suicide. “A Pravasi Jharkhand Foundation would be formed to help migrant workers,” the CM said, adding that the new scheme launched by the Centre in place of MGNREGA would increase migration from the state.“Six years ago, the annual budget was around Rs 86,000 crore,” Hemant said, adding that it rose by 85% to reach Rs 1.58 lakh crore for 2026-27.

He said the Niti Aayog has praised the state’s financial management, adding that Jharkhand has risen from 13th to 3rd in the country in this regard. “The task was challenging, particularly when 80% of the people live in rural areas,” the CM said.He stated that 100 more schools would be developed as centres of excellence.On opposition claims that the issue of Assam tribals should not be raised in the state assembly, the CM said that deprived communities across the country are looking at Jharkhand for raising their causes.“The Centre is planning to provide a fixed number of cylinders to states with the direction that the latter should manage its distribution,” he said, adding that the step would put responsibility on states if there is a shortage in supply.