The State Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod for selection of M/S Touchstone Foundation for running the ‘Chief Minister Canteen Scheme in Ranchi, while in East Singhbhum district, M/S Amrita Foundation will run the scheme. The Cabinet sanctioned Rs 11.3 crore for running the scheme in Ranchi. Similarly, for running the scheme in East Singhbum Rs 19 lakh has been sanctioned.

Chief Minister Canteen Scheme will replace the eight year old Mukhyamantri Dal-Bhat Yojna. Under the scheme the eateries would be run by a private firm handpicked on nomination basis. In the initial phase the scheme will be launched in Ranchi and East Singhbhum district.

State Cabinet Coordination department Secretary (in-charge) Ajoy Kumar Singh said, “The Cabinet today gave its nod for selection of two firms for running the Chief Minister Canteen Scheme.” Sources said that it is estimated that per plate cost of the meal provided at the centres would be Rs 20, however, the beneficiary would have to pay only Rs 5, just like before, and the rest amount would come in the form of Government subsidy. Apart from running the centres, the firm would also setup and maintain a ‘base kitchen’ to cook and supply quality staple food to the needy at a very reasonable cost.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for constitution of district and additional session judge court in Ranchi and Dhanbad district for speedy disposal of criminal cases against State MPs/MLAs. These courts have been set up on the recommendations of Jharkhand High Court.

The Cabinet also gave its nod designating court of district and additional session judge I and II to hear and dispose cyber crime cases in Jamtara, Deoghar, Giridih, Dhanbad, Palamu and Jamshedpur districts. The Cabinet gave its nod for release of Rs 308 crore to Jharkhand Education Project Council for payment of increased salaries to para teachers from January 2019. As per Sarv Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), the centre and state bears the financial expenditure of para teachers.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for affiliation of Neterhat Vidhyalya from Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi. The residential school in Latehar district set up in 1954 by Bihar Government with Charles Napier as its first Principal. The alumni of Netarhat school have excelled in almost all fields including Administration, Research, Medicine, Engineering and Teaching; and have gone on to hold important positions in top organisations across India and around the world. After the creation of separate state Jharkhand in 2000, the school was affiliated with Jharkhand Academic Council.

Singh said, “The Cabinet also gave its nod for setting up Plastic Park in Devipur in Deoghar district. The Cabinet also gave its nod for setting up Mega Handloom Cluster unit in Godda district.

The Handloom cluster unit is being set up as centre sponsored Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development scheme.

In today’s Cabinet meet approval to 25 agendas were given nod which included setting up 782 mobile towers in LWE affected areas as part of Wi-Fi hotspot areas, appointment of three new members in JPSC among others.