Towards all-round growth
Through numerous welfare projects and schemes, the government of Jharkhand under Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been focusing on better governance, with special emphasis on education and job creation.
POVERTY ALMOST FORCED REEMA TO QUIT school and give up on her ambition of becoming a doctor. Staring at a bleak future of continued hardship and broken dreams, Reema’s future was saved by the Kishori Samridhi Yojana, launched by the government of Jharkhand to facilitate the education of girls. The scheme, which offers financial assistance up to Rs.40,000 (subject to eligibility and fulfilment of conditions), is expected to benefit around nine lakh girls in the State.
Reema said: “My father is very poor and his financial condition acts as a deterrent to my education. Under the Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana I will receive Rs.2,500 in class 9 and Rs.5,000 in class 10, which will be significant in securing my future. It will help me fulfill my goal—which is to be a doctor.”
Through its numerous welfare projects and schemes, the government of Jharkhand, under the watchful eye of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has been focussing on all-round growth and development, with special emphasis on education and job creation.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Apart from the Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana, another important project in the education sector is the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship, which encourages the pursuit of higher
education, particularly among members of the Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBCS), and the minorities.
The government of Jharkhand has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom government to facilitate higher education of the youth in the most eminent universities of England. The State government has entered into a “one of a kind knowledge partnership” with the Uk—the Chevening Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship.
Akanksha Mary Balmuchu, a student pursuing higher studies, said that this step taken by the State government would be a “great opportunity for us to represent our culture on a global platform and also represent the true and actual meaning of the phrase, ‘unity in diversity’….[i am] grateful to the government as they thought of taking this step, empowering and encouraging students to pursue more in their life.”
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION
Not only is the government of Jharkhand actively pushing the growth of education, it is also encouraging the youth of the State to be financially independent and self-reliant. The Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) is one such measure initiated by the Chief Minister to provide empowerment through entrepreneurship to the youth.
Under the programme, loans up to Rs.25 lakh are provided (subject to fulfilment of eligibility). Already, the CMEGP has benefited 8,602 youths so far.
Sanam Oraon is one such young man who received
a loan of Rs.20 lakh from CMEGP to start his own business. “I have used this amount to set up a brick kiln, a step I took for self-employment. I wish to convey to the youth of the State that they should make full use of the opportunities that are being given by the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” said Sanam.
Another youth, named Mohan Tudu, who received Rs.25,000 under the CMEGP, said: “I am very enthusiastic and happy about this. I wish to extend my gratitude towards Chief Minister Hemant Sorenji.”
PENSION SCHEMES
Just as the government is watchful of the future of the younger generation, it is also committed to protecting the old and the helpless through its pension schemes like the Sarvajan Pension Yojana and the Old Pension Scheme. For the first time after Jharkhand attained Statehood on November 15, 2000, all eligible beneficiaries are getting the benefits of the Sarvajan Pension Yojana regardless of any capping.
The Sarvajan Pension Yojana has been successful in linking thousands of senior citizens, widows, destitute women, divyangjans (physically handicapped), primitive tribes, and HIV and AIDS victims. The pension is credited by the 5th of every month. The below poverty line (BPL) criterion earlier necessary to qualify for the benefit has also been scrapped.
Ardhan Kudada, a beneficiary of the scheme, said: “I had tried to avail myself of the benefits of the pension scheme for years, but all efforts were in vain. I am 65 now, and it is finally due to Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren that I have been granted a pension. He has been a saviour for senior citizens like me. I extend my heartfelt thanks to him.”
The Old Pension Scheme of the State has also been restored, much to the delight of government employees of Jharkhand. According to a statement by the State government, “Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme is not just the delivery of the key poll promise but also a reflection of the Chief Minister’s commitment to better serve those who serve the State.”
AAPKI SARKAR AAPKE DWAR
One of the ways the Jharkhand government is ensuring proper governance to all its citizens, is through the relaunch of the two-phased Aapki Yojana Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwar (Your Schemes, Your Government at Your Door) programme.
The programme, which has been implemented across various districts, guarantees delivery of select welfare schemes at the doorstep of residents, and also offers solutions to problems, redressal of grievances, and hassle-free processing of applications on the spot.
As of November 9, 2022, the total number of applications received under the “Aapki Yojana Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwar” campaign was 41,10,112, out of which a total of 26,50,727 have already been disposed of and 14,59,385 applications are under process.
Raja Ansari, an applicant, said: “I applied for a job card at the camp organised at the panchayat level under the Aapki Sarkar Aapke Dwar campaign. I am delighted that I have been given a job card by the government.”
CULTURAL PRESERVATION
In an attempt to preserve the local culture and heritage of the people of Jharkhand, the State Cabinet gave its approval for the “Local Resident of Jharkhand Bill” with the aim to define the “local” population, basing 1932 as the cut-off year for the “proof of land records”.
According to the State government, this is a pertinent step towards “cultural preservation and honouring the customs and traditions of the moolwasis (original inhabitants) as well as safeguarding their identity and population”. m