Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh cabinet here on Monday cleared a proposal of waiving off all loans procured by the tribals from non-licenced lenders in scheduled tribal areas. An announcement to this effect was made by Nath on Aug 9 to save ethnic population in 89 scheduled tribal blocks from the clutches of irregular money lenders. Talking to media persons regarding the cabinet meet, Public Relations Minister PC Sharma here said that the cabinet has approved amendments on MP Anusuchit Janjati Sahukar Viniyam amendment bill.

As per the amendment, the licence fee for moneylending trade in tribals areas has been hiked from Rs 25 to Rs 5,000 and non-licenced moneylenders could face a jail term upto three years which was previously six months. “Those without licence won’t be able to sue their debtors in the court in case of default,” said Sharma.

The Chief Minister has already announced to nullify the loans secured by tribals by Aug 15, 2019. This was part of the slew of announcement made by the Chief Minister for tribals. In another important decision, the cabinet decided to hike the age limit for general category for appearing in direct recruitment exam to 40 years from 35 years and 45 years for reserved category candidates.

The cabinet however put a rider that those appearing in direct recruitment exams should have a live registration with employment offices of the state. To add only domicile candidates are eligible for registration with employment offices.

Amid all around of complaints of inflated power bills in the state, the cabinet approved the Indira Grih Jyoti scheme where the power consumers would be required to pay Re 1 per unit of electricity consumed upto 100 units. If the power consumption exceeds this limit upto 150 unit, the additional 50 units would be billed as per existing tariffs. The cabinet also decided to implement the mid-day meal scheme to al madrasas affiliated to MP Madrasa Board and aided by the central government.