Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to give up lPG subsidy from affluent persons so that the benefits of smoke-free fuel can be extended to the poor as well, the Government here decided to make it for BPl families in the State. During the current financial year, one lakh such families would be given gas connection free of cost.

The Cabinet on Tuesday stamped the decision, which cost Rs918.50 for each family to the Government exchequer while the oil marketing companies would also chip in with subsidy under their corporate social responsibility for BPl sections. Total cost coming on the scheme would be in the tune of Rs25.18 crore.

“One lakh families covered under the Food Security Act would be provided lPG connection free during this financial year. Total cost coming on giving one such connection under the scheme would be in the tune of Rs2,518 of which Rs1,600 would be borne by oil marketing companies under their BPl CSR fund while the rest Rs918.50 would be paid by the Government directly to the companies. In this way the smoke free gas connection would come to BPl families free of cost,” said Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey after the Cabinet meeting.

The benefit can be availed only by the families covered under the recently rolled out FSA in the State. Also, the beneficiaries should not be having lPG connection already and have to purchase hot plate from the distributor only, added the official.

In yet another sop for economically weaker sections, the Cabinet made a provision for Rs52 crore under Tilka Majhi Rural Agriculture Pump Scheme and at the same time released Rs50 crore out of that. One SC/ST dominated village of each panchayat and 50 such villages under one Assembly constituency would be selected under the scheme.

“Priority would be given to far flung villages where 60 per cent of the beneficiaries would come in the form of SC/ST, handicapped, old age or widow and rest from APl sections. Total 25 such beneficiaries would be selected from one village,” informed the Secretary.

The Cabinet also set up a selection committee for recruiting teaching faculties at three medical colleges — RIMS at Ranchi, MGM at Jamshedpur and PMCH at Dhanbad. The committee headed by Principal Secretary of Health Department would conduct walk-in interviews of the candidates in order to improve teaching strength at the colleges and bring it in accordance with MCI norms.

Dissatisfied MCI had downscaled seats by 50 in each of colleges. Directors and Superintendents of the medical colleges, Director Health Services, Principals of the colleges and an official of the Personnel Department belonging to SC/ST category besides some others would preside over the panel. 

The Cabinet also decided to bring Jharkhand State University (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. The Ordinance would empower JPSC under Article 321 of the Constitution for making recommendations for recruitment and promotion of teaching staffs in the universities of the State. “The JPSC would conduct JTET in the lines of NET from time to time for the purpose,” said Pandey.

The Government under Swachh Bharat Mission would provide toilet facilities to all the residents settled on Government encroached land, legal or illegal colonies and in all kinds of slums.

Under strengthening the plan execution procedures, three posts- one each of Joint Director, Subject matter expert/advisor and computer operator- have been created in eight departments. The last two posts would be contractual in nature.