Synopsis
In a significant policy shift, the Jharkhand government has revised the physical eligibility criteria for excise constable recruitment, reducing the race requirement to 1,600 meters in six minutes. This change follows tragic incidents during last year's recruitment process, aiming to enhance safety and accessibility for candidates.Key Takeaways
- New race distance: 1,600 meters in six minutes
- Response to tragic deaths of candidates
- 31 proposals approved in latest Cabinet meeting
- Classification of storms and heat waves as disasters
- Extended mining lease for Sikni Coal Block
Ranchi, March 12 (NationPress) The Jharkhand government has revised the physical eligibility standards for excise constable recruitment, now requiring candidates to finish a 1,600-metre race in six minutes instead of the previous 10 km distance. This modification follows public outrage after the tragic deaths of 19 candidates during last year’s recruitment race. The rule change was sanctioned during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday.
The Cabinet endorsed a total of 31 proposals, which included an amendment to the Mineral Bearing Land Cess Act, 2024, increasing the cess rate on minerals.
Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel remarked that Jharkhand's cess rate is lower than that of other mineral-rich states, prompting this update.
The Jharkhand Cabinet also classified storms and heat waves as disasters, allowing the government to activate disaster control measures and extend compensation to affected individuals according to disaster relief provisions.
The Additional Judicial Commissioner-1 court in Ranchi has been appointed as a special court for addressing cases of cheating in competitive examinations.
The Cabinet amended the rule mandating that doctors who graduate from Jharkhand’s medical colleges must fulfill a three-year service in government roles.
Modifications were made to the selection processes for Sevika Sahayika (female assistants under government welfare schemes).
Approval was given for the installation of a nine-foot statue of the tribal icon Lord Birsa Munda at the Birsa Munda Biological Park in Ormanjhi, Ranchi, with a projected cost of Rs 25 lakh.
The Cabinet confirmed the appointment of L. Khiangte as the Chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).
The mining lease for 133.473 acres of the Sikni Coal Block in Latehar district has been extended for the Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Limited.
