Ranchi

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Wednesday said the state is advancing on the principle of “growth in harmony with nature,” as the government pursues development while ensuring environmental balance.

Addressing the state Assembly on the first day of the budget session, Gangwar said the government has put in place a system aimed at holistic development, peace and the well-being of every citizen.

He said the state administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and is working to establish a crime-free and fear-free environment. “Action is being taken continuously against disruptive forces and extremists. In 2025, as many as 1,413 cybercrime cases were registered and 1,268 people were arrested,” the governor told the House.

Gangwar asserted that Jharkhand is moving forward in the direction of investment, innovation and inclusive development. He noted that the state, for the first time, participated in the World Economic Forum at Davos, where it showcased its investment-friendly policies, governance initiatives and long-term development vision.

“Jharkhand’s participation on the global platform was not merely a formality. It was a meaningful effort to present the state’s development model based on growth in harmony with nature,” he said.

The governor added that official visits to Davos and the United Kingdom helped the state generate investment proposals worth around Rs 1.27 crore.

Highlighting rural development efforts, Gangwar said the government has been focusing on improving basic infrastructure, including roads, electricity, drinking water, housing and sanitation facilities across rural Jharkhand.

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The budget session of the Jharkhand Assembly began on Wednesday and will continue till March 19. Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato informed the House that there would be 17 working days during the session and that the budget for the 2026–27 fiscal would be presented on February 24.