The new State Jharkhand formerly a part of Bihar state, was formed on November 15th, 2000 with Ranchi as its capital.  Jharkhand is the 28th state of the Indian Union. The districts are Garwa, Palamu, Chatra, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ranchi, Lohardagga, Gumla, West Singhbhum and East Singhbhum. Jharkhand means a forest country. This region lies in the southern part of Bihar embracing Santhalparganas and Chhotanagpur. It comprises of 18 districts. It is a plateau about 3000 feet above sea level. The highest part of the plateau is Netarhat which has an elevation of 3600 ft. The Parasnath Hill is the highest point with an elevation of 4800 feet. The plateau is full of mountain ranges covered with dense forests. A number of rivers and rivulets flow down through the hilly terrains and valleys.
The Capital of Jharkhand will be Ranchi. It has Raj Bhawan and bungalows for ministers and the Chief Minister. The sprawling township of the Heavy Engineering Corporation, a large part of which is unoccupied, has been earmarked for setting up the Assembly house and a Central office complex.Earlier, Ranchi was also the summer capital of Bihar. It has an airport with night- landing facilities and a daily commercial flight link to New Delhi.
Creation of a new Jharkhand State
In a historic move both the houses of Parliament passed the Bihar Reorganisation Bill - 2000 during the first week of August and the President gave his assent to it a few days later. With this the stage is all set for the formal beginning of the governance of the new Jharkhand state from the 15th of November 2000. This witnesses the fulfilment of the long cherished dream of the people of Chhotanagpur and Santhalparganas for a separate state of Jharkhand. The new state will comprise of 18 districts in Santalparganas and Chotanagpur. These districts are: Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, Singhbhum East, Singhbhurn West, Palamau, Garhwa, Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Deoghar, Godda, Dumka, Pakur and Sahibganj. There will be 81 assembly seats, 14 Lok Sabha seats and 6 Rajya Sabha seats in the new state. |
