Ranchi, July 21: The Jharkhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on Tuesday approved 49 proposals covering education, healthcare, infrastructure, legal reforms and administrative measures, while also deciding to convene the Monsoon Session of the Legislative Assembly from August 6 to August 12.
The Cabinet announced that the Assembly session will have five working days, during which key legislative and policy matters are expected to be taken up.
Among the major decisions, the government approved the establishment of two new degree colleges to strengthen higher education infrastructure in rural areas. A new college will be constructed at Jamua in Giridih district at an estimated cost of ₹38 crore, while Mandu Degree College in Ramgarh district received administrative approval worth ₹40.14 crore.
In a significant healthcare initiative, the Cabinet approved the hiring of a single-engine helicopter ambulance at an annual cost of about ₹9.45 crore–₹9.47 crore to facilitate emergency medical evacuation and inter-hospital transfer of critically ill patients.
To modernise school education, the Cabinet approved the introduction of AI-powered virtual classrooms in 1,000 secondary and higher secondary government schools. The project, estimated to cost ₹176 crore, includes the construction of seven digital studios—two at the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) in Ranchi and one in each of the state’s five divisions.
The Cabinet also revised building regulations in rural areas by reducing the minimum road width required for approving maps of government buildings, educational institutions and industrial establishments from 9 metres to 4.5 metres, a move aimed at easing infrastructure development.
मुख्यमंत्री श्री @HemantSorenJMM की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित कैबिनेट की बैठक में लिए गए निर्णय…
— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) July 21, 2026
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In a major relief for students with serious medical conditions, the government approved a Standard Operating Procedure exempting children suffering from Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Type 1 Diabetes, other chronic illnesses and children with disabilities from the mandatory 75 per cent attendance requirement for appearing in board examinations.
The Cabinet further decided that hostels under the Welfare Department will now be managed by district-level committees headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners, replacing the existing management system.
In the higher education sector, retired university teachers as well as teachers and officers of affiliated colleges and universities will receive the benefits of the 7th Central Pay Commission with effect from January 1, 2016, along with arrears and applicable interest.
The Cabinet also approved ₹194 crore for infrastructure development at Government Medical College, Dhanbad, and around ₹39.67 crore for the construction of the Adityapur Municipal Corporation building. Additionally, ₹12 crore was sanctioned for the Advocate Welfare Committee to provide insurance and pension benefits.
Other decisions included the creation of 63 posts of Law Officers and Research Officers, enhancement of remuneration for the Advocate General, Additional Advocate General and government advocates, renaming Degree College Barhi as Chandwara Degree College, approval for establishing new zoos under the Giridih and Dumka Forest Divisions, restoration of pension benefits to former Wagefed Managing Director Pramod Narayan Singh following High Court relief, and dismissal of Dr. Archana Choudhary, Medical Officer at the Community Health Centre in Kasmar, Bokaro.
The Cabinet said the decisions were aimed at strengthening public services, expanding educational opportunities, improving healthcare infrastructure and accelerating administrative reforms across the state.
