Jharkhand Approves Major Welfare Schemes

Soren Cabinet Boosts Pensions, Housing Loans, and Education

The Hemant Soren-led cabinet in Jharkhand has approved significant welfare schemes, including pensions for tribals, Dalits, and women over 50, and enhanced housing loans for government employees.

RANCHI – In a move benefitting about 16 lakh individuals, the Jharkhand cabinet has approved old age pensions for tribals, Dalits, and women aged 50 and above.

Government employees in Jharkhand are set to receive housing loans up to Rs 60 lakh, doubling the previous cap of Rs 30 lakh, with a 7.5% interest rate.

This decision will aid approximately two lakh state employees, enabling them to build, repair, and expand their houses without mortgage requirements.

In a significant change, the cabinet has removed the necessity for ST-SC employees to mortgage property for loans, addressing challenges under the CNT and SPT Acts.

The cabinet meeting also announced a 7-year age relaxation for the Combined Military Services Examination by JPSC.

140 middle schools will be upgraded to secondary high schools, enhancing educational infrastructure.

Sunil Kumar, former Deputy Director of Agriculture Department, Demotand, faces a 10-month reduction in retirement benefits due to suspension.

A contract-based MIS post has been created in the Rural Affairs Department, Ranchi.

The government retrospectively approved an additional Rs 4.96 crore spent on the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy.

In a significant welfare measure, the state government will now directly pay salaries to all contract workers under the Integrated Child Development Project.