The Hemant Soren government on Friday approved a whopping budget to improve the health infrastructure of Jharkhand in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic. In the cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister, the government approved a budget of Rs six billion and 90 crores which will be spent for the purpose of developing infrastructure.
Vandana Dadel who briefed the media said that the proposed budgetary plan is meant for the financial year 2021-22 under the central government known as phase two of Covid 19 Response and Health System Preparedness Package. "Rural areas will be given priority in terms of infrastructure schemes. This includes testing facilities for Covid 19, pediatric wards, up-gradation of health centers and likes. The state government had sent a detailed project report to the Centre in this regard," she said.
The cabinet decided to give syllabus books free of cost to all students of class ninth and tenth who study in the government schools. Besides, the cabinet also decided to provide bicycles to students from class eight onward. Earlier, the government used to transfer the amount to the bank account of students so that they purchase bicycles of their choice. The government will now invite tender for the purchase of bicycles and the same will be distributed.
The cabinet decided to rope-in Mafatlal Industries for procurement of sari and dhoti for distribution among BPL and Antyodaya class of people under the Sona Sobran scheme. The government has relaxed norms to engage Mafatlal Industries for the purchase of fabrics for the next six months. This was the proposal of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
The cabinet sanctioned an amount of Rs 31 crore for repair and strengthening of 46 km stretch of Govindpur-Sahebganj road which has been in a poor condition for the past many years. Similarly, 11.4 km stretch of Jharia-Baliyarpur road will be reconstructed worth Rs Rs 41 km.
The cabinet revised pension under the social security scheme for widows and made it simpler. As per the decision taken, only such people will be excluded from the scheme who pay income tax or were employed in government undertaking. The cabinet passed a total of 37 decisions.