Ranchi: The Hemant Soren cabinet in Jharkhand has announced a substantial increase in the honorarium for women under the Maiyaan Samman Yojana, boosting it from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500, effective December this year. This initiative is seen as a response to the BJP’s Gogo Didi Yojana, which promises a monthly transfer of Rs 2,100 to women’s accounts. With this increase, the annual honorarium will rise from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000, benefiting approximately 5.3 million women aged 18 to 50.
In addition to this key decision, the cabinet approved 28 proposals during its latest meeting, focusing on various developmental projects across the state.
Among the highlights:
Tourism Development: An administrative approval for Phase-2 development of the Netarhat tourism area was granted, with a total budget of Rs 43.08 crore, including land acquisition compensation of Rs 2.49 crore.
Educational Initiatives: The establishment of residential schools in Kolhan division, Chaibasa, Santhal Pargana division, Dumka, and Bokaro district was approved, modeled after the Netarhat Residential School.
Infrastructure Projects: Revised administrative approval of Rs 109.16 crore was granted for the reconstruction of the Bilaspur-Dhurki road, including bridge construction and land acquisition.
Anganwadi Centers: The cabinet approved amendments to the guidelines for the Anganwadi Centre Building Construction Scheme under MNREGA convergence.
Scholarship Scheme: A new “Navothan Scholarship Scheme” was approved to provide financial assistance to orphaned and disabled students in Jharkhand.
Higher Education Improvements: The cabinet endorsed the establishment of integrated science and mathematics laboratories in elementary schools under the Gyanodya Yojana, with a budget of Rs 50 crore.
Regulatory Changes: New regulations were approved for implementing the National Education Policy-2020, including the introduction of a Dual Degree Programme in state universities.
Cultural Welfare: A committee will be formed to address the rights of tea tribes from Jharkhand living in Assam, focusing on their cultural, social, and economic welfare.
The cabinet’s decisions reflect a comprehensive approach to enhancing social welfare, education, and infrastructure development across the state.
