Jharkhand Cabinet okays DA hike, Abua Dawakhana scheme

Ranchi: The state Cabinet approved 39 proposals during a meeting on Wednesday, clearing several key decisions related to dearness allowance hike for government employees and pensioners, healthcare expansion, organic farming, livestock promotion, skill development and administrative reforms.

Cabinet approved an increase in dearness allowance and dearness relief for employees and pensioners under Seventh Central Pay Commission from 58 percent to 60 percent. Under Sixth Pay Commission, DA was raised from 257 percent to 262 percent, while employees under Fifth Pay Commission will now receive 483 percent instead of 474 percent.

To strengthen healthcare services in state, the cabinet approved the Abua Dawakhana scheme. These centres will provide treatment through allopathy, ayurveda, homeopathy, unani and siddha systems of medicine. Government also extended the duration of the PM Ayushman Bharat Mission and National Health Mission till September 30, 2025.

Cabinet cleared a major organic farming certification programme covering 1.05 lakh hectares across Jharkhand. Scheme will be implemented in three phases between financial years 2026-27 and 2030-31 at an estimated cost of Rs 370 crore. Cont on P- 2

Government also approved a new reward policy under NDPS Act for people providing information about illegal narcotics production and trafficking. Citizens and government employees up to Level-13 will be eligible for rewards ranging from Rs 3,000 to more than Rs 2 lakh.

Cabinet simplified pension scheme for artists above 60 years of age who are seriously ill or differently-abled. Eligible artists with monthly income below Rs 8,000 will receive monthly assistance of Rs 4,000.

An agreement with India Meteorological Department was approved for starting regular flight operations from Dumka Airport. Cabinet also cleared transfer of 11.635 acres of land to South Eastern Railway for construction of Lodhma-Fiska link railway line in Khunti district.

Room tariffs at Jharkhand Bhawan and New Jharkhand Bhawan in Delhi were revised. Charges for official work were fixed at Rs 100, while private visits will cost Rs 750 per day for the first three days.

In the healthcare sector, the cabinet approved revision in stipends for junior resident doctors and interns working in medical colleges and hospitals. Formation of Jharkhand Medical Education Service 2026 also received post-facto approval.

To encourage livestock farming, the government approved a Rs 4 crore commercial goat rearing scheme under Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.

Providing relief to traders, the cabinet exempted petrol, diesel and liquor retailers from filing quarterly returns and monthly extracts, stating VAT on these products is already paid at time of purchase. Government said the move aims to improve ease of doing business.

Cabinet also approved waiver of stamp duty and registration fees on land documents allotted to displaced families under rehabilitation policy and on land donated for public use.

Administrative restructuring of Raj Bhavan Secretariat was approved, taking total sanctioned posts in Lok Bhavan to 193. Cabinet also cleared creation of 20 new posts for Bagodar-Sariya sub divisional court in Giridih and 41 posts for Chakradharpur sub divisional court in West Singhbhum.

For skill development, cabinet approved implementation of Prime Minister Skilling and Employability Transformation upgraded ITI scheme for modernisation of ITI institutions. Under recommendations of the Fifth State Finance Commission, Rs 244.80 crore will be transferred to district councils to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions.

Cabinet also granted post-facto approval to Jharkhand Sand Mining Amendment Rules 2026 and Mines and Mineral Management System Version 2.0. Proposals related to maintenance of higher education department web portals through CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and enhancement of allowances for retired judges were also approved.