Jharkhand Government Defends Welfare Push, Flags MGNREGA Concerns in Assembly

The Jharkhand government on Friday defended its welfare record and accused the Centre of weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during the Chief Minister’s reply to the debate on the Governor’s Address in the Assembly.

Positioning the last six years as a period of “inclusive governance,” the Chief Minister said the government had focused on social security, food access, education and healthcare, while safeguarding the rights of tribal and marginalised communities.

MGNREGA at the Centre of Debate

A major portion of the speech focused on MGNREGA. The Chief Minister claimed that over one crore people are registered under the scheme in Jharkhand, with more than 40 lakh active workers.

He alleged that structural changes in the scheme and delays in wage payments by the Centre have affected rural households. The state government, he said, had supplemented wages from its own resources to ensure higher payments to workers.

The Chief Minister also stated that thousands of crores in MGNREGA dues remain pending from the Centre. Any reduction in the scheme’s scope, he argued, would directly impact rural incomes, women’s economic participation and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.

Universal Social Security and Women’s Assistance

On social security, the government reiterated that Jharkhand has universalised its pension scheme. According to the Chief Minister, more than 25 lakh elderly persons, widows and persons with disabilities are receiving pensions under state-funded schemes, in addition to 11 to 12 lakh beneficiaries supported through central assistance.

He further highlighted the state’s monthly financial assistance scheme for women, stating that over 50 lakh women are receiving Rs 2,500 per month. Nearly Rs 20,000 crore has been transferred so far under the programme, he said.

The government also asserted that Jharkhand has fully restored the Old Pension Scheme for state employees.

Recruitment, Education and Governance Claims

The Chief Minister said three Jharkhand Public Service Commission recruitment cycles were completed during the current tenure, filling vacancies across departments including teachers, doctors, engineers and police personnel.

In the education sector, he pointed to the expansion of the Chief Minister School of Excellence initiative, with plans to scale the number of such institutions to 500. He claimed students from these schools have qualified in national-level examinations including JEE-Mains.

Investment Push and 25-Year Vision

Referring to the state’s participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Chief Minister said Jharkhand showcased its coal, iron ore and rare earth mineral reserves to attract global investment. He added that several industrial groups have expressed interest in investing in the state.

As Jharkhand completes 25 years of its formation, the Chief Minister outlined a long-term goal of transforming the state from a labour-driven economy to a knowledge-based economy over the next 25 years. He emphasised inclusive growth and communal harmony as guiding principles.

Concluding his address, he said public trust remains the government’s strongest asset and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting Jharkhand’s interests.