Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who landed in Ranchi on Thursday took part in the meeting organised by the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Hotel Radisson Blu. 

On her arrival at the Birsa Munda airport, FJCCI functionaries accorded a red carpet welcome this morning. FJCCI President Kishor Mantri said her visit is expected to generate an ecosystem for industrial growth and economic development in the state. 

The FJCCI meeting is being attended by industrialists, businessmen, and politicians belonging to the BJP. Among those prominent personalities who attended the meeting were BJP state unit chief and ex-CM Babulal Marandi.

Addressing the meeting, she alleged that Jharkhand was suffering from misdeeds and “rampant corruption, migration and lawlessness”, and a change in governance was the need of the hour in Jharkhand.

Sitharaman, also said that allegations of step-motherly treatment levelled by the ruling JMM government functionaries towards them were “baseless”. Eastern India can become the engine of growth for the country with the restoration of industries, she said.

“Jharkhand used to feature among the top five states in ease-of-doing business. But now, ‘jungle raj’ prevails here. The state will attract more investment if law and order improves... Change in governance is the need of the hour in Jharkhand,” the minister said.

“The allegations (of the opposition) about step-motherly treatment towards the state by the prime minister are baseless... Jharkhand was allocated a record Rs 7,200 crore for rail projects in the 2024-25 budget,” she added.