The State Cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to increase the pension amount and job reservation in third and fourth grade category for participants of separate statehood movement of Jharkhand.
As per Cabinet decision, those aandolankaris (separate statehood movement activists), who had been jailed for more than six months will now get Rs 7,000, while those who have been jailed for period of three to six months will get Rs 5,000, similarly those aandolankaris, who had served jail term less than three months will get Rs 3,500 as pension amount by the State Government.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren talking to media persons about the decision said, “The dream with which people played an active part in the Jharkhand movement, today how can any State ignore it. How can a State that came into existence with the sacrifice of its agitators forget them and move forward for 20 years. Today, through this, I have got the opportunity to honour Baba’s associates and their companions and it is a matter of pride for me. We are there because they sacrificed their today forever for our tomorrow.”
State Cabinet department secretary (in-charge) Ajoy Kumar Singh said, “The State Cabinet today decided to increase the pension amount of aandolankaris. Also, dependent of those aandolankaris, who were killed in police firing or in jail or having disability more than 40 per cent will get preference in third and fourth grade Government jobs.” The JMM/BJP Government in 2012 had announced monthly lifelong pension for participants of separate statehood movement.
The State Cabinet today gave its nod to imposing green cess from electricity producing companies. The State energy department will charge green cess of 15 paisa per unit from power producing companies in the State.
However, the cess will not be imposed on companies, in which the State government’s share is more than 51 per cent. Singh said, “The State Government has decided to impose a cess of 15 paisa per unit of energy produced by energy companies in the State.”
The State Cabinet also gave its nod for increasing daily remuneration of MGNREGA workers. MGNREGA workers of Jharkhand, who used to get Rs 194 as daily remuneration will now get Rs 225. The State Government will provide an increased amount of Rs 31 from its share, which will cost Rs 341 crore to the exchequer.
The State Cabinet also gave its nod banning consumption of tobacco products in public places under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. As per the Cabinet decision sale of tobacco products and cigarettes to persons with age below 21 years in punishable. Also, sale and use of tobacco and cigarettes near educational institutions, hospitals, religious places within the perimeter of 100 metres is prohibited and violators of rule will be fined upto Rs 1,000. Singh said, “Earlier the fine was to the tune of Rs 200, which has been increased to Rs 1,000.”
The State Cabinet also gave its nod for creation of five permanent posts which includes VC, registrar, examination controller, finance officer and librarian at Jamshedpur Women’s University.
In Thursday’s Cabinet meet nod to 28 proposals were cleared, which also include construction of 72 rural roads of Rs 230.5 crore loan from NABARD, two other road projects from NABARD from loan of Rs 61.9 crore among others.