State Bureau, Ranchi: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state government has decided to waive electricity bills for consumers up to 200 units. Additionally, the cabinet has also decided to waive previous outstanding electricity bills.
This decision will benefit 3.944 million consumers in the state, imposing a financial burden of ₹3,584 crores on the government. Along with this, the cabinet has made a significant decision regarding Agniveers (soldiers recruited under the Agnipath scheme). The cabinet has approved a special ex-gratia grant of ₹10 lakhs and a government job on compassionate grounds for the dependents of state resident soldiers/Agniveers who attain martyrdom during military operations.
Additionally, the cabinet has approved amendments to the rules of the Jharkhand Waqf Board. Under this, the work of surveying the board’s properties will now be completed. The cabinet approved a total of 44 proposals on Thursday.
The cabinet has also approved a proposal to provide free sand. The plan to provide free sand to economically weaker sections in the state has been given post-facto approval. This scheme is already in operation in the state.
The Government Not Only Speaks, It Also Shows Compassion: Hemant
This government not only talks about the welfare of tribals, Dalits, backward classes, the poor, laborers, and women, but also demonstrates sensitivity and compassion towards them.
Agniveer is a scheme introduced by the Government of India. Given the discussions around Agniveer in the country, the government has decided that the families of Jharkhand soldiers who attain martyrdom in Agniveer will be provided compensation on par with Jharkhand Police. Additionally, the outstanding electricity bills of the poor in the state will be waived.
Today, the issues of Anganwadi workers, cooks, and nutrition assistants were also considered with sensitivity. The government has shown its compassion towards women in the state by making a historic decision understanding their hardships.
Other Cabinet Decisions
- The cabinet has approved an increase in the student capacity of residential schools under the control of the Department of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Minorities, and Backward Classes Welfare.
- Approval has been granted to amend Departmental Resolution No. 1021, dated 31.03.2022, related to the construction of six-unit residential schools and the operation of seven schools (one previously constructed) for minority students in Jharkhand.
- The cabinet has approved an increase in the dearness allowance rates in the revised pay scale (Sixth Central Pay Commission) effective from 01.01.2024 for state government employees. It has been increased from 230% to 239%.
- Guidelines for the operation of the Jharkhand Pension Relief Fund have been approved.
- Approval has been granted to create necessary posts in newly formed urban local bodies and five municipal corporations in the state.
- The appointment of former Chief Secretary D.K. Tiwari as the Jharkhand State Election Commissioner has been approved.
- The proposal to increase the honorarium for part-time officials of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Jharkhand has been approved.
- The revised administrative approval of ₹43.03 crore has been granted against ₹30.44 crore for the tourism development project of Netarhat-Betla-Mirchaiya-Dalma-Getalsud-Chandil circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Eco-Tourism Scheme of the Central Government.
10,388 Nutrition Assistants Reinstated, Cabinet Approval Received
State Bureau, Jagran: 10,388 nutrition assistants working for child nutrition in six districts of the state have been reinstated. The proposal from the Department of Women and Child Development was approved in the state cabinet meeting held on Thursday.
After the Central Government stopped their honorarium, the state government had relieved them from duty as of April 1, 2022.
Following this, these nutrition assistants had been continuously protesting, demanding their reinstatement. These nutrition assistants were appointed on a contract basis as additional Anganwadi workers cum nutrition consultants in 52 child development projects in six districts of the state—Dhanbad, Giridih, Dumka, Godda, Koderma, and Chatra.
Their reinstatement has also been done on a contract basis. They will be paid a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000 from the state budget.
Para Teachers in Urban Areas to Receive a 4% Annual Honorarium Increase
The path has been cleared for a 4% annual honorarium increase for para teachers working in urban areas of the state. Now, there will be no need for the approval of the competent committee for their honorarium increase. For this, the state cabinet has approved amendments to the Jharkhand Assistant Teacher Service Conditions Rules.
Female Cooks to Receive Honorarium for 12 Months Annually
Female cooks preparing mid-day meals in government schools will now receive honorarium payments for 12 months a year instead of 10 months. The state government will bear the cost of paying the honorarium for the additional two months from its budget.
It is to be noted that so far, female cooks were paid honorarium for 10 months a year at the rate of ₹2,000 per month, despite working throughout the year. The reason for paying them for only 10 months was cited as the many holidays during the year. The Central Government contributes towards the honorarium for only 10 months.
