State Bureau, Ranchi: The Jharkhand government will provide a bonus of ₹100 per quintal in addition to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) set by the Government of India for the purchase of paddy (Kharif crop). This decision was approved during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren at Project Bhavan on Friday.
Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel shared that the state government has set a target to procure six lakh metric tons of paddy. Along with the MSP, the farmers will receive an additional bonus.
The cabinet approved an expenditure of ₹60 crore for this initiative. In total, 36 proposals from various departments were approved during the meeting.
Hemant Soren Government Opens Treasury for These Groups In addition to farmers, the state government has opened the treasury for state employees, pensioners, and Jal Sahiya workers. The meeting approved a 16% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees. DA in the unrevised pay scale (fifth pay commission) has been increased from 427% to 443%.
Similarly, the DA for pensioners and family pensioners has been increased from 230% to 239%. The increased DA will be effective from January 1, 2024.
The cabinet also approved ₹34.40 crore for providing smartphones to 29,604 Jal Sahiya workers. Each worker will receive ₹12,000 in their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the purchase of a smartphone.
Increase in Remuneration for Contract Workers The cabinet also approved amendments in the provisions for determining the remuneration of contract workers. This change was made to the previous determination set by the Finance Department on May 3, 2023, which will result in an increase in their wages.
Smart Classes in 291 Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools The cabinet approved a plan to introduce smart classes in 291 secondary and plus-two schools. This will be implemented under the Gyanodaya Yojana.
Bokaro and Godda Engineering Colleges The newly constructed professional colleges (engineering colleges) in Bokaro and Godda districts will be operated as state government-run engineering colleges. These institutions will be managed by the state government.
