04 June,2025 10:56 AM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondent
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. File Photo.
In an administrative overhaul, the Jharkhand government on Wednesday approved the restructuring of the Information and Public Relations Department, under which 504 posts were surrendered and 36 new ones created, an official said.
The decision, which will save RS 24 crore annually, was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, reported PTI.
"A total of 12 Cabinet decisions were taken today. One of the decisions pertained to the approval for restructuring the Information and Public Relations Department. As part of the revamp, 36 new posts will be created while 504 posts that have become redundant will be surrendered. This will result in streamlining operations and will enhance the department's efficiency," the official said.
In another crucial decision, approval was given for delegating the power to impose fines under various sections to the Director of Mines and other officials to curb illegal mining activities across the state.
The official further stated that the Cabinet also approved a proposal mandating that municipal corporation contractors must possess valid GST certificates from the Jharkhand state, thereby enhancing transparency and compliance in contracts.
Further, in a push for infrastructure development, the Cabinet granted administrative approval of Rs 40.39 crore for the widening, strengthening, and reconstruction of the Pakur-Barharwa main road. The project, which includes land acquisition, utility shifting, rehabilitation and resettlement and tree plantation, will now be handled by the Road Construction Department instead of the Rural Works Department.
Meanwhile, according to a statement from the state government, the Cabinet also approved the nomination of the Secretary of the Mines and Geology Department as the ex-officio Chairman of the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Limited. Additionally, the Director of Mines will serve as the ex-officio Managing Director of the JSMDC, a state-owned entity, reported PTI.
Moreover, revised administrative approval of Rs 59.71 crore was given for the augmentation and reorganisation of the Garhwa Urban Water Supply Scheme under the Garhwa Municipal Council.
According to PTI, in a healthcare-related move, the Cabinet approved the transfer of doctor posts earlier created for the state prisons to the Health Department, ensuring better integration of health services across the state, the statement said.
The Cabinet also relaxed a provision of the Jharkhand Finance Rules to formalise a new agreement with Common Services Centre (CSC) SPV for the establishment of Aadhaar Permanent Enrolment Centres in government premises. This move comes in light of new UIDAI guidelines and replaces earlier agreements.
The statement further added that, in a significant step towards social security for gig workers, the Cabinet approved the draft of the Jharkhand Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025. The Bill aims to ensure the welfare of gig workers employed through platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Zomato.
Addressing the need for quality technical education, the Cabinet gave its nod for the creation of teaching and non-teaching posts in the newly constructed Government Engineering Colleges in Bokaro and Godda. Eighty-five teaching posts each were sanctioned for the two colleges, besides 125 non-teaching posts each.
In addition, benefits will be restored for 35 assistant teachers in government girls' middle schools whose appointments were previously declared illegal or irregular based on a CBI investigation, and later reinstated following a court order, the statement said. They will now be eligible for all due benefits, including pensions.
(With inputws from PTI)
