Chief minister Hemant Soren launched a petrol subsidy scheme, a first of its kind by any state, from Dumka on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday and also promised a state-of-the-art cultural museum and convention centre for the district known as the second capital of Jharkhand.
As a symbolic gesture to mark the beginning of the scheme, Hemant handed over subsidy cheques worth Rs 250 to about half a dozen beneficiaries of the scheme as per which the state government would be providing a subsidy of Rs 25 per litre of petrol, up to maximum of 10 litre per ration card holder.
“As per the announcement, which we had made during the second anniversary of our government in December last year, I am glad to finally announce the start of this scheme in Jharkhand from today. Bonafide beneficiaries will start getting direct benefit transfer of Rs 250 in their bank accounts from now onwards,” Hemant said, calling for all ration card holders to register themselves on the CM Supports App. Individuals will be eligible for the scheme after each application is verified.
CM Hemant Soren launches petrol subsidy scheme in Dumka The Telegraph Picture
Only ration card holders are entitled for the petrol subsidy. Also, the claimant must be the owner of a two-wheeler, must have valid licence and vehicle papers, a UID-seeded ration card and a bank account.
In Jharkhand, there are about 63 lakh ration card holders who are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Officials said that over 40,000 ration card holders in the state had already enrolled themselves on the app.
On plans for the cultural museum and convention centre at Dumka, Hemant said, “Under the state tourism policy 2021, the government has earmarked Rs 31 crore for the museum. This apart, the government has also allocated Rs 23 crore for a convention centre, which will be a platform for promotion of arts and local artistes.”
Dumka officials gift a painting to CM Hemant Soren The Telegraph Picture
The Republic Day programme in Dumka was held at Police Lines Grounds. As many as 2,000 people attended amid heightened security in the wake of a protest week being observed by CPI (Maoists) since January 21.
Hemant unfurled the Tricolour in Dumka while Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais hoisted the flag at an official progamme held in Ranchi amid a gathering of about 3,000 people.
In his speech, Hemant highlighted the various schemes, policeis and plans his government was working on to bolster overall development, create jobs, end corruption and ensure transparency in governance. Citing an example, he said the government hads simplified different recruitment rules to provide more opportunities to local residents of the state.
“The state staff selection commission has recently floated advertisements for recruitment for 4,142 vacant posts in different government wings after amendments in the recruitment rules,” he said, adding that the government has also brought in The Jharkhand State Employment of Local Candidates Act to mandate 75% reservation for locals.
To promote agriculture and increase farmers income, he said that the government has launched several schemes in last two years. “We have started setting up of krishi pathshalas in the state with an investment of Rs 61 crore to provide latest and scientific methods of farming techniques to our farmers,” he cited.
“Similarly, for unorganized sector, we have launched shram portal where so far 80 lakh people have registered so that we can tap their potential to provide livelihoods. Under MNREGA too, we had created a record mandays of 927 lakh in this fiscal year,” he stressed.
Governor Bais, in his speech in Ranchi, also highlighted the work done by the state government for sustainable development and social inclusion in the last two years.