Ranchi, Nov. 7: Certifying that the entire Palamau division was drought-hit, the state cabinet today resolved that special assistance, including compensation for crop damage and preferences in welfare and development schemes, would be given to the drought victims.

Every department would be giving special preference to the Palamau division, including Palamau, Garhwa and Latehar districts, and realisation of loan amounts from farmers would remain stalled for the time being.

It also agreed in principle that the Chatra district was also drought-hit, but no “formal decision” was taken in the absence of specific reports by competent authorities. Chatra’s deputy commissioner has been directed to submit his report in this regard at the earliest.

The cabinet resolved that around 40 school buildings occupied by police personnel in remote areas would be vacated. The government would make alternative arrangements to accommodate the men in uniform fighting Naxalism in remote areas.

The ministers also decided to install mobile phone jammers in all the prisons, while Rs 35.71 crore was sanctioned for setting up a special task force, two companies of India Reserve Battalion and two companies of State Auxiliary Force. Rs 28.75 crore was granted for police modernisation.

The cabinet also gave its nod to lease out 50 acres of land in the Ulhatu village of Namkum block in Ranchi district to housing co-operative society of present and former MLAs and MPs. Poor people would be given one lakh houses under the Siddho-Kanho Awas Yojana.