Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on 17 October fired a sharp salvo at Chief Minister Hemant Soren, raising three major governance failures: the closure of 288 out of 302 auctioned sand ghats, the suspension of holding tax collection since 21 August, and stalled road construction projects worth ₹1,410 crore in Ranchi. Marandi posted his eight-point demand list on X, calling for time-bound action, public transparency and accountability from the Soren administration.

Sand Ghat Closures and Illegal Mining Concerns

Marandi questioned why 288 of the state's 302 auctioned sand ghats remained shut despite completed auctions. He alleged that files related to mandatory approvals — including environmental clearances, Gram Sabha permissions and other statutory formalities — were still pending, effectively creating conditions that encouraged illegal sand mining.

He specifically sought public disclosure of the role of Rajiv Lochan Bakshi, Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, and details of work pending at his level. 'People cannot build houses merely by auctioning sand ghats. They need sand to be made available,' Marandi said, demanding regular supplies from authorised ghats at reasonable prices and transparent transportation arrangements.

Holding Tax Collection Suspended Since August

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also took aim at the suspension of holding tax collection, which he said had been halted since 21 August after the agreement with the previous agency was terminated — without an alternative mechanism being put in place. He demanded that the government disclose the period of suspension, the resulting revenue loss, and a proposed timeline for introducing the new collection system, alongside immediate restoration of collections.

Critics argue that such administrative gaps not only drain state revenue but also signal a broader failure of executive follow-through.

₹1,410 Crore Road Projects Stalled in Ranchi

Marandi flagged serious delays in road infrastructure projects worth ₹1,410 crore across Ranchi, saying residents were bearing daily inconvenience due to stalled works. He pointed to Sunil Kumar, who oversees the Road Construction and Urban Development departments, and questioned both the pace of implementation and the accountability framework for contractors.

He also alleged that certain officials had attempted to suppress reports of 'irregularities' by threatening to stop government advertisements. 'The public is watching and understanding everything,' he warned.

Eight Demands and a Political Warning

Marandi's eight-point demand list covered: publication of reasons behind the closure of 288 sand ghats and a list of pending approvals; fixed deadlines for statutory clearances; regular sand supply at reasonable rates; immediate restoration of holding tax collection; disclosure of revenue losses and recovery plans; a review and progress report of the ₹1,410 crore road projects; monthly updates on all three issues on a public portal; and action against responsible officials and contractors.

Issuing a pointed warning to the Chief Minister, Marandi said: 'An officer will simply write a remark on a file and move ahead, but the people will write the verdict on your tenure.' He cautioned that shielding officials over incomplete projects would make the political consequences fall squarely on Soren. 'People have elected a Chief Minister, not a custodian of pending files. Give answers, not excuses,' he added.

What's Next

The Soren government has not yet issued a formal response to Marandi's demands. With Jharkhand assembly elections on the near horizon, governance flashpoints like sand mining, urban tax administration and infrastructure delivery are likely to sharpen as political battlegrounds. How the Chief Minister responds — and how quickly — could shape the opposition's campaign narrative in the weeks ahead.