Jharkhand Cabinet: Dedicated Commission for Backward People Body Elections

• 27 Jun 2023

Why In News?

• A total of 43 proposals were agreed upon in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on June 26, 2023. Under this, a dedicated commission will be formed to give reservation to backward classes in municipal elections. The Backward Classes Commission will work as a dedicated commission.

Key Points:

• The Jharkhand cabinet has decided to set up a 'dedicated commission' to examine the eligibility for reservation for backward classes in the state's local body elections. The Backward Classes Commission will work as a dedicated commission. The decision to set up the commission has been taken in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in 'Vikas Krishna Rao Gawli vs State of Maharashtra'.
• The Cabinet approved the proposal to provide smartphones to Balwadi workers and women supervisors of the state. Under the centrally sponsored Mission Saksham Balwadi and Poshan 20.0, a total of 29,100 workers and supervisors will be given smartphones for a maximum of Rs 8,000 (excluding GST) under the Poshan Abhiyan scheme. Apart from this, a total of 6,850 Balwadi centers will also be upgraded. For this, one lakh rupees will be spent per Balwadi center.
• The cabinet also agreed to a proposal to allow women in the state to work in night shifts. For this, in compliance with the Business Reforms Action Plan prepared by the Government of India under 'Ease of Doing Business', it was decided to amend the Factories Act 1948 and approved the Factories Amendment Bill 2023.
• Earlier, women were allowed to work only from 10 am to 5 pm in industrial institutions of the state. With the decision to amend the Act, women will also be able to work in night shifts from 5 pm to 10 am.
• Cabinet approves constitution of Jharkhand Advocates Welfare Fund Amendment Bill, 2023. Under this, the rate of stamp duty used in affidavits and advocacy etc. has now been increased.
• Earlier, a stamp of Rs 15 was required to be placed in affidavits and advocacy. Now a stamp of 30 rupees will be used. The proceeds from the sale of stamps will be spent on the welfare of advocates.
• The Cabinet approved the proposal related to the construction of a 500-bed hospital at Mahagama in Godda. The hospital will be constructed by ICL with CSR. The hospital will be constructed at a total cost of Rs 307.44 crore. The Cabinet approved to run it on PPP mode.
• The Cabinet also agreed to set up a sewage treatment plant in Dhanbad under the 'Namami Gange Scheme'. Rs 858.86 crore will be spent on this. The scheme will be operated on PPP mode.