When efforts are on to arm citizens with right to recall MPs and MlAs in the country, the Jharkhand Government exempted mukhias from facing a no-confidence motion. Meant to remove the village representative from his or her post in case of dissatisfaction, no mukhia now onwards can be recalled. Earlier, the State Election Commission had powers to hear cases related to no-confidence.
“The Cabinet has amended the Panchayat (Amendment) Act-2013. Now word mukhia has been deleted from the list against whom no-confidence motion can be brought as they are directly elected. The proposal for their removal cannot be brought now,” said JB Tubid, Cabinet Secretary.
Nevertheless a separate appellate authority would be formed by the Government to hear complaints coming against mukhias. The decision has come when several appeals for recalling the rural elected representatives are pending while some have been removed as well from their posts in the State.
This apart, the Cabinet also approved Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Empowerment drive for the year 2013-14 to 2016-17. It would cost Rs 776.34 crore with the Centre sharing 75 per cent of the fund.
Under the drive schemes meant for women and youth empowerment, e-panchayat, skill development and others under BRGF would be undertaken. Under the CM’s Rural Road Scheme the Government has also sanctioned Rs 150 crore for PCC roads in gram panchayats. Every panchayat would be permitted to utilise maximum of Rs 10 lakh for the purpose.
In another important decision the Government also approved guidelines for appointing para-medics working in the State. Their appointments would be done under the norms set by the Medical Council of India and of those would fulfill desired qualification. The personnel were on strike for long demanding regularisation of their service.
“The Cabinet also decided that instead of appointing a separate lokpal in Municipal Corporations and councils, the existing lokayukta of the State would hear the cases of corruption coming in. Also, approval for setting up a Project Monitoring Unit for preservation of cultural and archeological heritages of the State has been given,” added the Secretary. The Cabinet also approved reconstitution of the Tribal Advisory Council meant to suggest the Government on the matters related to the welfare of tribal.
Sanjay Prasad, present Districts and Sessions judge of lohardaga, has been appointed as Chairman of Commercial Taxes Tribunal. This apart, the Cabinet also formed a regular judgeship at Khunti district and nine posts of judicial officers have been created for this.
The Cabinet also decided to lease 2.80 acres of municipal land for 30 years to build a super specialty hospital on PPP mode at Ghaghra near Ranchi. Step for making 500-bed Ranchi Sadar Hospital functional has also been taken as consultant appointed for the purpose--- International Finance Corporation -- would now invite tenders from private players for the purpose.
Places in all the 24 districts have been earmarked for keeping records related to transfer of immovable properties.