Ranchi: The state cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to upgrade four existing district hospitals in Dhanbad, Khunti, Giridih and Jamtara into medical colleges under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode through viability gap funding (VGF) in a bid to boost health services.The cabinet also approved the Jharkhand Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, under which it will impose special taxes on certain segment of vehicles used for commercial purposes.Cabinet coordination department secretary Vandana Dadel said that under the amendments, certain new segments have been introduced. “On two-wheelers which are being for commercial purpose, a one-time 7% tax will be levied on its ex-showroom price, which will be applicable for a period of 12 years. A similar tax will be levied on construction vehicles such as self-propelled excavator loader, camper vans,” she said.Funds to the tune of Rs 153.37 crore were also approved for an interstate bus terminal in Jamshedpur.The cabinet, led by chief minister Hemant Soren, also notified the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2026, by making necessary changes to the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004, under Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.“Earlier, the area wasn’t defined for leasing out land for minor minerals exploration and mining. Now, for exploration, one can get a maximum of up to 150 hectares and 100 hectares for excavation. This apart, various provisions are made for the lease tenures,” she said.Other key decisions included approval for organising state-level science & technology quiz based on emerging technology for students of schools, industrial training institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics. The cabinet also gave its nod to ‘Jharkhand Robotics Festival’ for students enrolled in higher and technical educational institutions.Approval was also given for revised administrative estimate of Rs 162.82 crore for widening the Namkum-Doranda road (6.70 km) to four lanes and strengthening work.Approval was also given to dearness allowance hike with effect from July 1, 2025, in the unrevised pay scale (6th central pay scale) for pensioners/family pensioners of state govt; enhancement of DA with effect from July 1, 2025, in the unrevised pay scale for employees was also approved.
