Ranchi: The state cabinet on Thursday approved Rs 420.44 crore to provide high-speed internet connectivity in 11 districts with the aim of hooking up all 5,523 panchayats of Jharkhand by March 2019 under a scheme titled IT Bharat net.
The programme, under Digital Jharkhand Mission which is similar to the Centre's initiative, will benefit the districts of Gumla, Simdega, West Singhbhum, Saraikela- Kharsawan, Pakur, Khunti, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara, Chatra and Garhwa.
State agriculture minister Randhir Singh told the media after the meeting that funds had been released earlier for seven districts in phase-I and for six districts in phase-IA. Work in these areas was progressing steadily.
"The aim is to extend e-governance in all remote villages and high-speed internet facilities to all state-run schools and government offices across Jharkhand by March 31, 2019. This project is going to bring about revolutionary changes in the state," he claimed.
The cabinet also amended certain clauses of a joint venture agreement with NTPC to generate 4,000MW electricity at Patratu Thermal Power Station. As per the new terms, the old PTPS unit would not be revived as it wouldn't be cost effective. Only new units would be coming up.
The cabinet also approved Rs 2,655.88 crore for setting up 26 transmission grid sub-stations and install double circuit transmission lines. While 70 per cent of the costs would be raised through World Bank loans, the state would bear the remaining share.
The cabinet approved Rs 46.32 crore for setting up 5,000 MT cold storage units in Lohardaga, Bokaro, Chatra, East Singhbhum, Palamau and Sahebganj districts to enable farmers store fruits and vegetables in particular.
- Another Rs 44 crore was approved for setting 100MT godowns at 271 places across the state.
- The cabinet also: n approved the Jharkhand skill development policy;
- approved the Jharkhand Motor Vehicle Taxation ordinance to ensure inter-state sleeper buses passing through Jharkhand pay taxes;
- decided to set up a statutory body to ensure scientific mining of minor minerals;
- transferred land for a rail freight corridor in Dhanbad.
CM readies road map
Chief minister Raghubar Das on Thursday held a meeting with ministers, secretaries and senior officials of different departments to work out a strategy for the execution of various development and welfare schemes in the new fiscal.
Health minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi, education minister Neera Yadav, welfare minister Louise Marandi, chief secretary Rajbala Verma and development commissioner Amit Khare were present at the meeting.
Das ordered the quick completion of mandatory formalities so that the ground work for all the schemes could begin on April 1.
"The aim is to make good quality education accessible to more children," Das is reported to have said in the meeting.
He also took stock of preparations to set up cold storages across the state.