The state government has set a target of procuring 45 lakh tonne paddy during this year’s kharif season and will ensure that all famers selling their produce at government procurement centres receive 50 per cent payment immediately.

Usually, procurement of paddy begins from December 1. But the state food and civil supplies department, which is entrusted with the job, is gearing up to begin the process after Chhath in the wake of early harvesting of crops this year, thanks to a good monsoon.

On Monday, the state cabinet headed by chief minister Hemant Soren agreed to all the proposals of the agriculture department to encourage farmers and boost procurement of paddy which was grown on 90 per cent of the 18 lakh hectares used for cultivation this year.

“For the first time, we have decided to provide hand-to-hand payment to farmers who sell their paddy at government procurement centres. Fifty per cent of the money will be instantly credited to their bank accounts and the rest will be paid gradually,” the state cabinet coordination secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh said, adding that a three-tier committee at state, district and block levels would monitor the process.

The state government’s proposal to provide minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,868 per quintal along with an additional bonus of Rs 182/quintal on paddy procurement has also been vetted by the cabinet. “For Grade-A quality paddy, Rs 1,888 will be provided,” Singh said.

The cabinet also gave its consent to a draft of the Sarna/Adivasi Code which will be tabled during the special Assembly session convened by the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government on November 11 to pass a resolution ahead of the next year’s nationwide census for inclusion of a separate column for nature, or Sarna, worshippers.

The demand of tribals for a separate Sarna code to underscore and acknowledge their separate religious identity has been pending for long. Even churches in Jharkhand backed their demand, urging the state government to honour tribals’ wishes.

But of late, several tribal groups have started to demand an adivasi code in place of a Sarna code, claiming that all adviasis may not necessarily be followers of Sarna (nature worshippers).

Chief minister’s principal secretary Rajiv Arun Ekka, who was present at Monday’s cabinet briefing, however, clarified that the cabinet had vetted a proposal covering both adivasi and Sarna demands. “The cabinet gave its nod to the draft called Adivasi/Sarna Code. It will be placed before the Assembly on November 11. After the Assembly resolution, it will be sent to the Union government to demand its inclusion in the 2021 census,” he said.

Other significant decisions at Monday’s cabinet meeting included a nod to increase MBBS seats at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) from 150 to 250, not conduct a BEd entrance test in the wake of the pandemic and merge skill mission works with the state labour and employment department.

Singh said the state government would soon sign an MoU with the Union government to increase MBBS seats at RIMS. “We plan to increase seats by 100 to take the total number to 250. As per the plan, the state and Centre will share expenses on a 40:60 basis.

“Also, the government has decided not to hold an entrance test for Bed admissions this year. The Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board will prepare a merit list on the basis graduation marks obtained by an applicant and arrange for counselling to colleges,” he said.