Jharkhand Cabinet approves Rs 81/quintal paddy bonus, boosts ST/SC civil service aid

• Jharkhand farmers to receive an Rs 81 per quintal bonus over the Centre's MSP for paddy in 2025-26, totaling Rs 2,450 per quintal.
• Paddy procurement payments will be a one-time transaction, processed within 48 hours, or up to one week in special cases.
• Financial assistance for ST/SC civil service aspirants who clear prelims increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.
• The annual family income limit to avail civil service assistance has been raised from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.
• State festival guidelines amended: tourism festivals can spend up to Rs 80 lakh, cultural festivals up to Rs 70 lakh.

Why It Matters: Jharkhand offers new financial incentives to farmers and civil service aspirants.