Ranchi Apr 26 PTI The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha JMM on Tuesday claimed the BJPs allegation that Chief Minister Hemant Soren has misused power to benefit his family is an attempt of a frustrated political party to destabilise the state governmentThe charge is baseless as no rule was violated in the state industry department allotting an 11-acre plot to a company owned by Kalpana Soren the CMs wife JMM chief spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya saidClaiming that the allotment is illegal BJP national vice-president and former chief minister Raghubar Das had on Monday demanded the resignation of Hemant Soren his successor accusing him of misusing power to benefit his familyDas had also asserted that the CM allotted stone chips mining lease to himself in 2021 flouting office of profit normsThe allegation reveals the frustration of the BJP No case of office of profit stands against the CM The BJP is all out to destabilise the government Bhattacharya saidThe BJP had called on Governor Ramesh Bais alleging misuse of office by the CM and Raj Bhavan forwarded its memorandum to the Election Commission Following this members of ruling coalition partners JMM and Congress also met Bais and submitted their missive on the saffron partys misdeedsThe governor has assured us to send the memorandum to the EC JMM MLA Sudivya Kumar who was a member of the delegation told PTIHe asked how can one be punished if no crime was committed Das had alleged that 11 acres of industrial land has been allotted in the name of the chief ministers wife in the Barhe Industrial Area in Ranchi districtWhile hearing a PIL seeking an investigation into the properties of the chief minister and his brother Basant Soren the High Court of Jharkhand had on Friday directed the Registrar of Companies to file a detailed report on shell companies mentioned in the petition PTI NAM NN NN

Ranchi Apr 25 PTI The notification for the third phase of the four-phase Panchayat polls in Jharkhand was issued on Monday an election official saidState Election Commission secretary Radhe Shyam Prasad said that the notification is issued by the district election officers of respective districtsWith this the process for filling of nomination papers started in 70 blocks under 19 districts The timing for nomination filing is from 11 am to 3 pm The last date for filing nomination is May 2 while the last date of withdrawal of name is May 7 As many as 1047 panchayats will go to polls in the third phase on May 24 and counting will take place on May 31 The third round will be held to elect 128 zilla parishad members 1290 panchayat samiti members 1047 mukhiyas and 12911 panchayat members officials said The nomination for the first round of Panchayat polls concluded on April 23 with a total 39513 candidates filing nominations The nomination for the second round of polls is going on which will conclude on April 27 So far 4261 nominations have been filed for the second phase of polling till April 23 PTI SAN RG

Ranchi Apr 25 PTI In view of the rising COVID-19 cases in some states of the country the Jharkhand School Education and Literacy Department has asked schools to suspend morning assembly cultural programmes and sports activities officials said on MondayThe School Education and Literacy department has issued a fresh COVID-19 guideline for schools in Jharkhand in the light of rising COVID-19 cases in some states As per the new guideline the schools have been asked to conduct health checkups on a regular basis in coordination with nearest health centres and district administrations have been directed to ensure random COVID-19 test of students and teachers Morning assembly cultural programmes and sports activity will remain suspended in schools an official release said The School Education and Literacy Department secretary Rajesh Kumar Sharma in a letter to all deputy commissioners district education officers and district superintendents of education has asked them to follow COVID-19 guidelines in a bid to restrict the spread of the disease Expressing concern the secretary said An increase in the infection rate of Covid-19 is being seen in many states of the country for the past 15 days which is worrying At such a time it is imperative to ensure all necessary initiatives at the priority level to prevent the infection of COVID-19 in the state-run schools The schools have been asked to sanitise school premises classrooms laboratories library and others with 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution before beginning of educational activities and complete sanitization of the institution every 15 days The protocol of mask and social distancing must be followed Double doses of Covid vaccine must be ensured for all teaching and non-teaching staff Arrangements for vaccination of students in the age group of 12 and 18 years should be ensured in coordination with the health department According to the Health Department bulletin released on April 23 there are a total of 21 active COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand PTI SAN SAN RG RG