Jharkhand cabinet to waive power dues of Rs 3,584 cr of 39.44 lakh consumers

Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said that the number of consumers consuming up to 200 units of electricity in the state is 39 lakh 44,389. Waiving of outstanding bills will result in an additional burden of about Rs 3,584 crore,according to officials.

Before the upcoming assembly elections, the cabinet approved a total of 44 proposals, which include many populist decisions.

Agniveers of Jharkhand, who die due to any reason during duty, their dependents will be given government jobs and an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh.

According to another decision, more than 79,000 cooks and assistants working to prepare mid-day meals in the state schools will now be given honorarium for 12 months instead of 10 months every year.

The dearness allowance of the state government employees has been increased by nine percent. Now they will get 239 percent dearness allowance instead of 230 percent. The cabinet has also decided to increase the seats in the residential schools run by the Welfare Department in the state. At present, the capacity of the hostels of these schools is 16,368 students. Now the number of seats will be increased to 37,000.

The government has given a one-year extension to the commission working to identify the Jharkhand State Agitators. Now the commission will work till July 14, 2025.