Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed the Ramgarh district administration to take immediate action after allegations of environmental pollution by a private steel factory in Ramgarh surfaced through a video on social media.
The Chief Minister took suo motu cognisance after the video, allegedly showing large-scale emission of ash and dust from the factory, drew public attention. The footage was recorded by a local youth, Surendra, a resident of Ramgarh, and later shared on social media.
Reposting the video, Hemant Soren termed the situation “completely unacceptable” and instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Ramgarh to conduct an immediate investigation, take action as per rules, and submit a detailed report to the state government.
The video shows bushes, trees and open land around the factory premises covered with ash, while fine dust particles are seen dispersing into the air and allegedly spreading to nearby agricultural fields and forest areas. The social media post accompanying the video made a sarcastic remark that the steel plant was producing not only steel but also “fertiliser” in the form of ash and dust.
Officials said the district administration has been alerted to examine whether environmental norms and pollution control standards are being violated. Residents of Ramgarh district have in the past alleged that industrial units in the region are contributing to air pollution and ignoring prescribed safeguards.
There have also been allegations that illegal coal mining is active in parts of Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Bokaro districts, allegedly driven by demand from nearby industrial units.