Jharkhand Cabinet Approves Healthcare Boost for Advocates

State government enhances welfare schemes for lawyers, women, and police

Key Points:

• 30,000 advocates to receive Rs. 5 lakh health insurance coverage

• Pension for lawyers above 65 doubled to Rs. 14,000 monthly

• 8 lakh more women to benefit from Manyiaan Samman Yojana

RANCHI – The Jharkhand government has approved a comprehensive welfare package for advocates, including health insurance and increased pensions.

The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, convened at the Project Building Secretariat to deliberate on various proposals.

In a significant move, the government sanctioned health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakh for approximately 30,000 advocates across Jharkhand.

"This decision will provide much-needed financial security to our legal fraternity," said Dharmendra Narayan, a lawyer from Godda.

The cabinet also doubled the pension for lawyers aged 65 and above from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 14,000 per month.

Additionally, newly enrolled advocates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000.

Expanding Welfare Initiatives

The government has broadened the scope of the Mukhyamantri Manyiaan Samman Yojana.

Women aged 18 and above can now avail benefits under this scheme, down from the previous age limit of 21 years.

"We expect an additional 8 lakh women to benefit from this expansion," stated Vandana Dadel, Principal Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat and Coordination Department.

This move is anticipated to increase the total number of beneficiaries to 56 lakh women.

Support for Other Sectors

The cabinet approved several other welfare measures.

Contractual police assistants will now receive Rs. 13,000 monthly, up from Rs. 10,000, along with an annual uniform allowance of Rs. 4,000.

"This decision addresses the long-standing demands of our auxiliary force," commented a senior police official.

Furthermore, Jal Sahiyas will now earn Rs. 2,000 per month, while students in grades 9-12 will receive Rs. 1,200 for uniforms, double the previous amount.