Jharkhand: Investment, tribal welfare in focus at pre-budget meeting

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Jharkhand Assembly to review preparations for the upcoming Budget Session of the Sixth Assembly, scheduled from 18 February to 19 March 2026.

The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s chamber in the Assembly premises, focused on ensuring the smooth conduct of the session and finalising the broad contours of the state Budget. Discussions covered key areas including the state economy, rural development, and women’s empowerment.

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According to officials, special emphasis was placed on strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing targeted welfare measures. The Chief Minister underlined the importance of presenting a balanced and development-oriented Budget that addresses grassroots concerns while maintaining fiscal discipline.

During the meeting, Soren also referred to his recent participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he held bilateral discussions with global policymakers, industry leaders and international investors. The deliberations, he noted, were aimed at attracting fresh investment opportunities to Jharkhand and positioning the state as a competitive destination for sustainable growth.

Issues relating to tribal welfare, scholarship schemes, and other public-centric initiatives were also discussed at length. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that all logistical and procedural arrangements for the Budget Session are completed on time. He stressed that the Finance Department must be fully prepared to respond comprehensively to queries from both treasury and opposition benches during the session.

Calling the Finance Department’s role “crucial” in the run-up to the Budget, Soren instructed senior officials to leave no gaps in preparation, particularly with regard to budgetary allocations, policy announcements and data support.

Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Finance Secretary Prashant Kumar and other senior officials of the Finance Department were present at the meeting.