The State Government has made a provision for free lPG connections to all 38,432 anganwadi centres in Jharkhand in order to provide smokeless fuel for cooking. Under the initiative, two gas filled cylinders, a stove and one regulator would be given to each cradle for free.
Informing about the decision of the Cabinet on the lines of the Centre’s Ujjawala scheme, Cabinet Secretary SS Meena said on Tuesday that a provision of Rs 26.26 crore has been made for this purpose.
“All the 38,432 anganwadi centres would be provided with two lPG cylinders and other required kits for cooking meal for the toddlers admitted over there. Rs 26.26 crore has been released for that. Under the scheme, both the filled cylinders would be made available free along with other items for the first time whereas the centres would have to arrange for refills thereafter,” said the official.
Presently, the anganwadi centres are used to arrange fuel, mostly in the form of firewood or coal, for themselves that often causes inconvenience to in-charges as well as children attending the centre.
This apart, the Cabinet also decided to shut down 10 integrated check posts stationed at inter-State borders. “The decision has been taken in the wake of the GST and also because petty levy to the tune of not more than Rs 4 crore annually is collected from these check posts. Physical assets present would be handed over to traffic police,” added Meena.
The check posts closed are Chirkunda (Dhanbad), Chauparan (Hazaribagh), Bagitand (Koderma), Bahragoda (E Singhbhum), Gitilpi (Chaibasa), Mudisemar (Garhwa), Raidih (Gumla), Bansjore (Simdega), Chas More (Bokaro) and Dhulian (Pakur).
Also, former Additional Chief Secretary NN Pandey has been appointed as Chief Election Commissioner at the State Election Commission. The post was vacant since Shiv Basant retired from the post in July, 2016. The appointment has been done for three years or the Commissioner attaining 64 years of age, whichever is earlier.
The Cabinet also approved formation of four regional development authorities along with extending jurisdiction of Ranchi Regional Development Authority. Four new RDAs are Kolhan, Palamu, Santhal Pargana and North Chottanagpur. “The Department had proposed to designate Deoghar as headquarters of Santhal Pargana RDA but the Cabinet finally went with district headquarter and named Dumka for that,” said the Secretary.
The Government has also relaxed the norms set for keeping funds into saving bank account. The Rural Development Department for certain schemes such as watershed management schemes, Ambedkar Awas, EAP and lift irrigation schemes can park the fund into saving bank accounts which was not permitted before.
Besides, the Cabinet okayed Jharkhand lifts and Escalators Act, 2017 that would pave the way to appoint chief invigilator and set rules for registration of lift installing firms, ensure safety mechanisms in place, fire fighting system, insurance, alternate power supply mechanism etc at different premises.