The Jharkhand State Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, approved 26 major proposals aimed at strengthening education and infrastructure during a meeting held at Project Bhawan on Friday. Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel detailed the decisions in a press briefing.Among the key approvals was administrative sanction of Rs 388 million for a new degree college in Ichagarh and Rs 570 million for a women’s college in Khunti. These initiatives form part of the government’s wider plan to expand access to higher education across the state.On the education front, the cabinet also approved the Jharkhand Rajkiyakrit Prathmik Shikshak Promotion Rules, 2025, to streamline teacher promotions. Additionally, in line with a directive from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), the cabinet approved the formation of the Jharkhand State Legislative Forum on HIV-AIDS. The forum, chaired by the departmental minister and supported by five MLAs nominated by the Speaker, will focus on enhancing district-level AIDS control centres.In infrastructure, several significant projects received approval, including Rs 1.41 billion for a four-lane road from Argora Chowk to the Ring Road in Ranchi, Rs 3.01 billion for a cycle track and service road from Vivekananda School Mor to the Ring Road, and Rs 380 million for a road from Simdega-Kurdeg to the Chhattisgarh border.The cabinet also decided to increase the number of Jharkhand Governor Medals awarded annually—from 11 to 21 for excellence in service, and from 31 to 60 for commendable service. Furthermore, a yearly grant of Rs 30 million was approved for the Jharkhand Hindu Trust Board.However, the meeting was disrupted by repeated power cuts, causing chaos in the ministry building. Several employees were seen panicking, and some were stuck in lifts. Audible cries for help and calls for generator backup created commotion, prompting Chief Minister Soren to sternly reprimand officials and question the failure of power backup arrangements during a crucial meeting.