A decision made by the Jharkhand Cabinet on Thursday triggered controversy after it approved the renaming of the well-known ‘Atal Mohalla Clinics’ to ‘Mother Teresa Advanced Clinic’. This change, concerning urban primary health centres, was finalised during the Cabinet meeting held that day.
The move drew strong criticism from the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Party spokesperson Ajay Sah denounced the decision, calling it a reflection of narrow-mindedness and misguided political motives. He accused the JMM-led government of routinely turning positive developmental efforts into contentious issues.
According to Sah, initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the Atal Mohalla Clinics emerged from the visionary approach of the BJP, aimed at strengthening healthcare access for the underprivileged. He alleged that the Hemant Soren-led administration is undermining such schemes to serve its political interests.
Sah also emphasised that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who played a pivotal role in the creation of Jharkhand, holds a special place in the hearts of its people. Replacing Vajpayee’s name, he said, amounts to disrespecting not just a Bharat Ratna awardee, but the collective spirit of the state.
The Atal Mohalla Clinics, modelled after Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics, are urban health centres providing free consultations, medicines, and diagnostic services — particularly for slum-dwelling populations — to ease the pressure on major hospitals and make healthcare more accessible.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved 21 proposals in total during the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Among the major decisions, the Cabinet cleared the Jharkhand State University Bill 2025, which introduces a unified legal framework for 10 general and 3 specialised universities.
The Governor will act as Chancellor, while the department minister will serve as former Vice Chancellor. A University Service Commission will be set up for faculty recruitment.
Approval was also granted for setting up a special court in Daltonganj. The Cabinet gave the go-ahead for notional pay revisions for state employees retiring on 30 June and 31 December. The Accountant General’s report was also cleared for presentation in the upcoming monsoon Assembly session.
Changes were approved regarding the designations of Urdu teachers in government primary schools, paving the way for a revamped recruitment process. New appointment rules were sanctioned for the Jharkhand State Forensic Science Centre.
The Cabinet also approved ex-gratia compensation and appointment provisions for the families of paramilitary personnel who died in anti-militancy operations or while serving the nation.
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