1 lakh assistance for state pilgrims

RANCHI: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to provide monetary assistance of Rs 1 lakh to Hindu devotees who go for Amarnath, Kailash and Mansarovar pilgrimages.
Briefing media after the meeting, cabinet secretary SKG Rahate said: "The assistance will be given to two members of a family. A person could avail the scheme only once in a lifetime. Visitors, including those visiting the places through government-organised tour or private operators, can avail of the benefit of the scheme."
Rahate said the proposal was moved to the cabinet to assist devotees who cannot take the pilgrimage due to lack of money.Over 500 people from Jharkhand visit the holy sites every year.
In another decision, the 11-member ministerial council on Tuesday gave its nod to release Rs 750 crore to the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) for payment of its outstanding dues to Damodar Valley Corporation.
The council of ministers also approved a proposal to relax the rules for promotion of constables to the rank of sub-inspectors through the internal examinations in police department. The minimum qualifying marks and standards of physical fitness were also lowered.
A proposal for setting up of Capital University with its headquarters at Koderma was also approved in the meeting. The cabinet also approved a sum of Rs 33 crore for the construction of 400 flats in Islam Nagar area of Ranchi under the government's housing scheme.