Ranchi buzzed with policy announcements Thursday as Jharkhand’s cabinet approved 27 proposals in a closed-door session, sidelining two amid local elections’ code of conduct. No official briefing followed, but insiders paint a picture of transformative support for athletes and administrative reforms.
Headline-grabber: A comprehensive pension overhaul for winners at national and international levels. From the grandeur of Olympics to the intensity of SAFF tournaments and National Games, every medal now unlocks a steady income stream. Top honors like Khel Ratna or Olympic gold fetch Rs 20,000 monthly, scaling down to Rs 5,000 for National Games podium finishers, with Rs 16,000 for World Cup and Asian Games stars.
This initiative redefines athlete welfare, offering stability post-competition and motivating future talents. It’s a structured ladder of recognition, ensuring no achievement goes unrewarded.
On the backburner: Age relaxation for 14th JPSC aspirants. The August 2023 proposal seeks to adjust cut-offs from the 2017 benchmark used previously, with students pushing for 2018. CM Soren’s team opted to defer, pending internal alignment on years of concession.
Further nods went to C-DAC for enhanced tech support in key departments including public health engineering and water resources. Water Resources Department’s lower cadre posts—2,727 in total—revert to Personnel control. University reforms restructured roles at three major institutions: Sido-Kanhu, Kolhan, and Vinoba Bhave.
As the state balances electoral restraints with governance, these approvals highlight a forward-thinking administration prioritizing sports legacy, job streamlining, and tech integration for sustainable growth.
