Ranchi: In a significant decision towards maintaining law and order, the Hemant Soren cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal from the home department on rewarding cops to the tune of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 30 lakh for the arrest of notorious extremists and Naxals or dreaded criminals.
After the meeting, the state cabinet coordination department secretary, Vandana Dadel, said the council of ministers has amended the existing provision to expand the scope of rewards. "Earlier, reward was given only in case of the arrest of Naxals carrying rewards on their heads. Now, it has been amended to include dreaded criminals, other extremists and so on," she said.
Dadel also informed that various classifications for reward have been fixed now. "Criminals, Naxals, etc., are now classified in grade A to E categories. For example, one classified in grade A should have at least 20 crimes filed against his or her name and active during the time of arrest. Under grade E, at least three crimes must be registered. Various rates of rewards have been fixed for the cops based on the classification," she said.
In another key decision, the cabinet also gave its nod to hike dearness allowances for the state govt employees and pensioners to 55% from the existing 53%. It will be effective from January 1, 2025, as per the revised pay scale in tune with the seventh central pay scale. Dadel said it would collectively benefit around three lakh employees and pensioners.
The cabinet also decided to rename Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University as Veer Budhu Bhagat University. The varsity was upgraded from a college named Ranchi College. After it was upgraded during the BJP govt's tenure between 2014 and 2019, it was renamed as Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University.
Criticising the move, state BJP state president Babulal Marandi said, "The govt's decision to rename Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University as Veer Buddhu Bhagat University is extremely unfortunate. It sets a wrong precedent. Such steps undermine the stability of institutions and the respect for history."
Meanwhile, a total of 34 proposals were taken up during Thursday's cabinet meeting. Other important decisions taken included formation of the Jharkhand Rural Drinking Water Supply (Operation and Maintenance) Policy-2025, nod to operate seven additional new ‘one stop centres', establishment of 275 anganwadi centers, nod to promotion of govt assistant professors working in Rims to associate professors and associate professors to professors, formation of the Jharkhand Pharmacist Cadre (Recruitment, Promotion, and Other Service Conditions) Rules-2025 and creation of 168 essential posts in various super specialty departments of in state-run medical colleges and hospitals among others.