Patna, March 6: The state cabinet today approved around Rs 400 crore as a grant to urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting, which was chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar, in the light of the Fourth State Finance Commission recommendations.

Sources said the grant also includes salary payment to employees of district boards. The cabinet also sanctioned around Rs 500 crore as the state’s share under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Under the scheme, the state has to shoulder the share of 35 per cent.

The cabinet also approved the dismissal of an assistant engineer of public works department and a doctor, the sources said. The cabinet withdrew the ban on sale of khesari dal and its products.

Sources said the government took the decision after it found that no scientific reason could be justified for the spread of partial paralysis. It was commonly believed that the dal led to paralysis.