Chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday okayed a building construction department proposal to reserve projects worth up to Rs 25 crore for local contractors, according to an official communique from his office.

Hemant said the proposal, which will need to be approved by the state cabinet, would pave way for boosting local employment.

“The move will boost local contractors and firms which in turn will help generate more employment within the state. The government is working on various other ways to provide employment opportunities to all within the state,” he said.

As per the clause for reservation, entities who wish to participate in tendering process to bag contracts should be registered in Jharkhand. In case any entity is running in partnership mode, either of the partners should be registered in the state. If two local companies quote same rates in the financial bidding, then the government will select the bidder on the basis of reservations for ST/SC, backward caste 1, backward caste 2 and so on.

In another development, Hemant directed Jharkhand DGP M.V. Rao to make arrangements for the safe return of a 16-year-old girl from Gumla, who was trafficked to Delhi and made to work as a maid.

She was rescued from Harinagar in Delhi by the local administration with the help of women’s commission members onTuesday. Hemant also thanked Delhi Women’s Commission chairperson Swati Maliwal for her role in rescuing the girl.