Ranchi: The Jharkhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday evening, approved 62 proposals related to infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment and administrative reforms. The Cabinet also gave in-principle approval to convene a two-day special session of the Jharkhand Assembly on November 25 and 26, 2026, in connection with the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act).
Vandana Dadel, Principal Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat and Monitoring Department, briefed the media on the decisions taken at the meeting.
Among the major decisions were approval of ₹284.17 crore for infrastructure development at Jharkhand Medico City in Ranchi, ₹545.38 crore for a new 500-bed hospital building at MGM Medical College in Jamshedpur, and measures to improve healthcare facilities for university students. The Cabinet also approved initiatives concerning drinking water, irrigation, electricity, mining policy and government employees.
₹829 Crore Approved for Medico City and MGM Hospital
The Cabinet granted administrative approval of ₹284.17 crore for developing supporting infrastructure at the proposed Jharkhand Medico City near RINPAS in Ranchi. The project will include roads, drainage and other essential facilities to support super-speciality hospital blocks with a proposed combined capacity of 5,000 to 6,000 beds.
It also approved a revised estimate of ₹545.38 crore for constructing a new 500-bed hospital building on the MGM Medical College campus in Jamshedpur. The projects are aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to advanced medical treatment in the state.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the Jharkhand Ayush Academic Health Services Recruitment, Promotion and Other Service Conditions Rules, 2026.
Universities to Introduce Health Units and Student Health IDs
Under the new Statute for Health Care Management and Mental Wellbeing 2026, state-run universities and colleges will be required to allocate 2% of their total budgets to student healthcare and well-being services.
Dedicated campus health units will provide first aid, emergency response and counselling facilities. Students will also receive health ID cards, while institutions will maintain their health records. The initiative seeks to strengthen physical and mental healthcare support and address stress-related concerns among students.
The Cabinet also approved arrangements for students of government polytechnics and women’s polytechnics to receive practical training and internships through Jharkhand Government Tool Rooms in Ranchi, Dumka and Ramgarh.
Major Cabinet Decisions on Water, Irrigation and Power
Several decisions focused on improving basic infrastructure and agricultural facilities across Jharkhand.
- 7,890 new hand pumps: The Cabinet approved ₹96.54 crore to install 7,890 hand pumps across all 263 blocks to address drinking water shortages.
- ₹607 crore irrigation project: The Neemdih-Kukru Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme in Seraikela-Kharsawan district was approved to supply water from Chandil Dam to agricultural fields in Neemdih and Kukru blocks through pipelines.
- ₹184.52 crore for tribal electrification: Funds were sanctioned under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan to extend electricity to remote tribal settlements and unelectrified households.
- ₹26.78 crore for Chaibasa grid: Administrative approval was granted for two additional line bays at the 400/220 kV Chaibasa Grid Substation.
- ₹58.61 crore for watershed projects: The state approved funding for 28 projects under the Jharkhand Watershed Development Scheme and extended the scheme’s deadline to March 31, 2027.
The Cabinet also approved a draft agreement between Jharkhand and West Bengal concerning water sharing in the Mayurakshi basin and the joint operation of the Massanjore and Tenughat dams.
₹51.49 Crore Animal Feed Plant Approved for Godda
The Cabinet approved ₹51.49 crore for a new animal feed manufacturing plant in Godda under the Jharkhand Milk Federation, which operates the Medha Dairy brand.
The facility will initially have a production capacity of 50 metric tonnes per day, with provision to increase it to 100 metric tonnes per day in the future.
The government also approved an increase in the monthly honorarium of contractual field officers and employees working under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), known as the VB-G RAM G scheme.
Land Acquisition Portal and New Mineral Exploration Policy
To improve transparency in land acquisition for public and private development projects, the Cabinet approved the creation of an integrated online land acquisition portal. The platform is intended to facilitate tracking of cases and streamline the acquisition process.
The Cabinet also approved the Jharkhand Mineral Exploration and Block Development Policy, 2026, aimed at encouraging mineral exploration, the identification and auction of new mineral blocks, and private-sector participation in mining.
In another decision, 147.05 acres of non-raiyati land in Chandwa circle of Latehar district will be leased to Hindalco Industries for 30 years for the Chakla coal project.
The Cabinet further approved amendments to the Jharkhand Mineral-Bearing Land Cess Act, 2024.
₹9.90 Crore for Cath Lab at Ranchi Sadar Hospital
To improve cardiac treatment facilities, the Cabinet approved work worth ₹9.90 crore for installing a modern catheterisation laboratory at Ranchi Sadar Hospital. The facility is expected to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients with serious heart conditions.
The Cabinet also approved the payment of ₹1.17 crore in outstanding dues to Ernst & Young (E&Y), the consultancy firm associated with the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across the state.
A provision of ₹2.50 crore from the Jharkhand Contingency Fund was approved as an advance allocation for incentive payments under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy for extremists.
Relief for PDS Dealers and Changes in Labour Rules
In a move expected to benefit Public Distribution System (PDS) dealers, the Cabinet approved an amendment waiving the government fee for annual verification and stamping of electronic weighing machines used at ration shops.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to Sections 9 and 21 of the Jharkhand Shops and Establishments Act, 1953.
A proposal concerning permission for government employees to travel abroad for private or official purposes was also approved.
The meeting cleared the Jharkhand Expert Committee Rules, 2026, to enable government departments to seek assistance from external subject specialists for research, technical assessments and expert advice on government schemes.
With 62 proposals approved, the Cabinet meeting covered a wide range of policy and development priorities, including healthcare expansion, rural infrastructure, irrigation, electricity access, mining reforms and administrative efficiency.
