Jharkhand Cabinet Approves Tourist Tax Rules 2025, Scholarship Amendments, and Infrastructure Projects

Ranchi: CM Hemant Soren-led cabinet on Thursday gave its nod for 'Jharkhand City Tourist Tax Rules, 2025' as part of which tourists will have to shell a certain percentage of tax for their stay in hotels under different categories.Cabinet coordination department secretary Vandana Dadel said that different tax segments have been classified under the rules. “Indian tourists, who stay in non-GST hotels will have to pay 2% tax on the total invoice generated. Hotels with GST less than 18%, will charge 2.5% tax while hotels with GST above 18% category, will levy 5% tax on the invoice. Similarly, for foreign tourists, it will be four, five and 10% respectively,” she said.

After the cabinet nod, the rules will now be sent to the assembly for its passage post which it will have to sent to the governor. Once assented by Raj Bhavan, the rules will come into force.A total of 40 proposals were taken up during Thursday’s meeting.In another significant decision, the cabinet approved amendment to the Manki Munda Scholarship Scheme. “Under this, girls currently studying technical education in colleges affiliated to Jharkhand Technical University are eligible for scholarships.

Now, it will be extended to other technical colleges too under different state varsities. The beneficiary has to be a resident of the state,” Dadel said.The cabinet also approved an estimated fund of Rs 22.3 lakh crore for setting up of the Institute of Driving Training and Research in East Singhbhum district. Of the total cost, the Centre will provide Rs 17 crore, Tata Motors Ltd will bear Rs 1.82 crore and rest will be borne by the state govt.Approval was also given for the change of site for the construction of the proposed 528-bed hostel for girl students belonging to the Scheduled Tribe. “It was earlier proposed at the Women's College (Science Block), Ranchi but it will now come up near Kalyan Bhavan in Morhabadi,” she added.Approval was also given for the Reservation Roster Rules for appointment and promotion to the posts of officers, teachers and non-teaching staff of state govt universities and their constituent colleges.

Additionally, the cabinet approved leave salary during child care leave under which 100% salary will be given for the first year of leave and for second year, it will be 80%.As many as four Centres of Excellences (CoEs) will also be set up at BIT Sindri, Dhanbad, in the financial year 2025-26. They will be operated by BIT Sindri Innovation and Incubation Centre Foundation. The Cabinet approved funds to the tune of Rs 38.58 crore for this.

Approval was also given for changing the name of railway station 'Daltonganj' in Palamu district to "Medininagar."Cabinet also okayed formation of Jharkhand Government Servant Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026, to ensure time-bound, transparent and accountable disposal of service-related grievances and matters related to payment of terminal benefits of officers and employees of all services/cadres of the state govt.An amount of Rs 276.49 crore has also been approved for construction of 800-seater district libraries in 23 districts. This apart, the cabinet paved way for providing medical facilities to ministers, MLAs, both serving and former along with their kin on the lines of IAS/IPS cadre.