Jharkhand Cabinet Backs Tribal Rights in Saranda

Chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Cabinet approved a wide range of policy and administrative decisions, spanning education, welfare, infrastructure, governance, and employee benefits. The meeting at Jharkhand Mantralaya cleared several long-pending proposals, underscoring the government’s focus on improving welfare delivery, public services, and institutional efficiency.

Environment and Tribal Rights: Saranda Discussion

A major portion of the Cabinet meeting focused on the proposal to declare the Saranda forest area in West Singhbhum district as a wildlife sanctuary. The Cabinet underlined that no step should harm the interests of the local tribal communities. It resolved that the residents’ social, cultural, and livelihood rights must remain protected, ensuring no displacement and full access to all central and state welfare schemes.

“The Cabinet agreed that Saranda’s people must not face injustice or loss of identity. Their water, forest, and land rights will remain protected under law,” a senior official said.

The government’s position highlights a balance between ecological conservation and indigenous rights, making Saranda’s development model a key test of sustainable governance in mineral-rich Jharkhand.

Education and Universities: Restructuring and Reforms

The Cabinet gave its nod to the restructuring of academic and non-academic posts at Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University, Dhanbad, along with its constituent colleges. Two key statutes governing appointments, promotions, and cadre structures for non-teaching staff were amended to align with the Seventh Pay Commission pay matrix.

The government also approved amendments to the 2022 statute aligning with UGC Regulations 2018 on minimum qualifications for teachers, officers, and academic staff.

Further, in a move to streamline textbook distribution, the Cabinet approved the substitution of the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) in place of the JCERT for printing and tendering free textbooks for students from Classes 9 to 12 in all government and minority secondary schools.

Health and Public Services: Ambulance Expansion

The Cabinet sanctioned a major plan worth Rs. 1.03 billion to procure 207 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances to improve referral services in remote regions. This aims to strengthen the state’s emergency health infrastructure and ensure faster response in rural and difficult terrains.

Welfare Measures: Women and Anganwadi Support

Under the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, the government increased the administrative expenditure per Anganwadi centre from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 8,000 annually, quadrupling support for basic operations and maintenance.

The Cabinet also approved operational guidelines for the Women Helpline scheme under Mission Shakti, aimed at providing integrated support and assistance to women in distress.

Employee and Pensioner Benefits: DA and DR Hike

Government employees and pensioners received significant financial relief with the Cabinet approving an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) to 58% of basic pay/pension, effective July 1, 2025. The hike aligns Jharkhand’s structure with the Seventh Pay Commission scales.

Law and Governance Decisions

The Cabinet approved the compulsory retirement of two officers, Laxman Prasad (District and Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge, ACB, Chaibasa) and Taufiq Ahmed (Under Secretary-cum-Deputy Legal Advisor, Law Department) under Rule 74(b)(ii) of the Jharkhand Service Code.

A post-facto approval was granted to the first supplementary budget for FY 2025–26. Additionally, a Rs. 2 crore contingency fund was sanctioned to cover litigation expenses in the Jharkhand High Court and Supreme Court.

In another administrative decision, references to “Registered Post” in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 will now be replaced with “Speed Post,” aligning the legal code with current postal systems.

Sports and Technical Education

The Cabinet approved the signing of an MoU between the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Athletics Federation of India to host the 4th South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championship 2025in Ranchi.

It also sanctioned Rs. 55.14 crore for construction and renovation at the Government Women’s Polytechnic, Jamshedpur, which will be developed as a state-of-the-art technical institute.

Judiciary and Disaster Management

An advance of Rs.1 crore was approved from the State Contingency Fund for the Jharkhand High Court’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Additionally, under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF), the Cabinet approved Rs. 166.8 crore (including central and state shares) for disaster management activities under the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations.

Infrastructure and Irrigation

The government cleared a revised estimate of Rs. 31.65 crore for the Tardeeha Barrage Project in Godda district, enhancing irrigation and water conservation capacity.

Police Modernisation

To strengthen law and order and patrolling efficiency, the Cabinet approved Rs. 78.5 crore for the purchase of 628 four-wheelers and 849 two-wheelers for police stations across the state.

Local Governance and OBC Reservation

The Cabinet approved the recommendations of the State Backward Classes Commission on reservation for OBCs in municipal elections, along with amendments to the Jharkhand Municipal Election and Petition Rules, 2012, to incorporate the revised quota structure.

Science and School Infrastructure

To improve science education, 480 government secondary and higher secondary schools will now be equipped with modern science laboratories under a new state plan.

From raising welfare allocations to modernising institutions and strengthening employee benefits, the Cabinet decisions reflect Jharkhand’s focus on inclusive growth, administrative reform, and social justice.