Ranchi: The Raghubar Das cabinet on Thursday approved the third phase of Digital Jharkhand mission with an aim to provide internet connectivity across all gram panchayats of the state by March 2019 and earmarked Rs 420.44 crore for the project.The ministerial council okayed commencement of work for providing the connectivity to panchayats in Gumla, Simdega, West Singbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Pakur, Khunti, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara, Chatra and Garhwa districts in the third phase.Cabinet secretary (additional charge) SKG Rahate said: "Thirteen districts were taken up in first two phases. Their work is ongoing. With the sanctioning of the third phase, all panchayats will have internet connectivity by March 2019."In another decision, the cabinet approved an amendment to the 2015 joint venture agreement between Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS) and NTPC. The amendment dropped the earlier agreement to modernize the existing 840 MW unit, fearing environmental hazard and cost escalation in capital investment. As a result, the PTPS will be closed down and the NTPC will set up a 4,000 MW thermal plant on its site.The Das cabinet also sanctioned Rs 46.32 crore to the state ministry for agriculture, animal husbandry and co-operative department for building six new 5,000 metric tonne capacity cold-storages in Lohardaga, Bokaro, Chatra, East Singbhum, Palamu and Sahibganj. "An additional sum of Rs 30.51 crore was approved for construction of the ongoing 5,000 metric tonne cold-storages in Deoghar, Giridih, Ranchi and Gumla. ," state minister for agriculture, animal husbandry and co-operative Randhir Kumar Singh told reporters.In all, 25 proposals were approved by the cabinet. The state skill development policy 2018 was also approved.

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