Himachal Cabinet Approves Key Initiatives for Welfare and Development
Himachal Pradesh (The Uttam Hindu): H.P. Cabinet DecisionsThe State Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, extended its gratitude to the people of Himachal Pradesh and the Congress High Command for their unwavering support in implementing various policies and programs over the past two years. The Cabinet also thanked Congress party workers and government departments for their efforts in successfully organizing the two-year anniversary event held in Bilaspur.
The Cabinet decided to extend the Special Relief Package to disaster-affected areas, including Samej and Rampur in Shimla district, Jaun-Bagipul and Nirmand in Kullu district, and Tikkam Thalu-Kot in Mandi district. Under this package, affected families will receive enhanced compensation for their losses. The compensation for completely damaged houses would be increased to Rs 7 lakh, up from the previous amount of Rs. 1.5 lakh, aligning with the relief measures provided to disaster-affected families last year.
The Cabinet gave its nod criteria for engaging 80 Khanan Rakshak in the department of Industries fixing the age limit between 20 to 30 years. It decided to fill up 26 posts of various categories in the department of Sainik Welfare. It also approved to fill up 17 Punjabi Language Teachers and 14 vacant posts of Urdu Language Teachers in the department of Education. The Cabinet gave its approval for engaging the ‘Guest Teachers’ in the Education Department to fill gaps due to short term vacancy in any institution to be paid on hourly basis. It gave its nod to include a 5 percent LDR quota for SMC teachers (PGT/DPE) in direct recruitment, as per the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, to be incorporated into the Recruitment and Promotion Rules of the Education Department.
The Cabinet decided to regularise the services of about 928 part time water carriers as IV class IV employees who have completed 11 years of daily and part time services in the Education Department. It was decided to realign the age criteria for admission to Nursery classes and Class-I with the National Education Policy, 2020. The Cabinet approved the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the operation of Home Stays, led by Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, and decided to notify the H.P. Home Stays Rules, 2024. According to the new provions, preference will be given to bonafide Himachalis. Additionally, the requirement to obtain an NOC from the H.P. Pollution Control Board, local bodies, or any other department has been waived. However, proper sewerage systems and garbage disposal mechanisms will be mandatory. Moreover, the installation of rainwater harvesting systems will be encouraged in Home Stay Units.
It decided to accept the recommendations of the High-Powered Committee on the hydropower sector, in principle, chaired by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. Under these provisions, the government will assess and formulate a policy to revive projects up to 25 MW that have shown no visible progress. There are currently over 700 such stalled projects in the state. The Cabinet approved the Maharishi Valmiki Kaamgar Awas Yojna-2024, to offer financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh to sanitation workers from the Valmiki community with an annual income of less than Rs. 2.5 lakh for constructing houses.
It also approved an increase in financial assistance for house construction under the Mukhyamantri Vidhwa Avam Ekal Nari Awas Yojna-2023, raising the amount from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh. To enhance efficiency in government health institutions, the Cabinet approved, in principle, the bifurcation of the common cadre of Nursing, Paramedical, Ministerial, and Non-Ministerial staff between the Directorate of Health Services and the Directorate of Medical Education. Employees will be given a 30-day window to select their preferred cadre. It decided to amend the HP District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust Rules, 2016. The amendments include a clear demarcation of directly and indirectly affected areas and the radius of the directly affected area has been expanded from 5 km to 15 km, ensuring a wider reach of benefits to local communities. Additionally, the rules mandate that at least 70 percent of DMF funds must be utilized exclusively in the affected areas, with a focus on allocating at least 70 percent of these funds to high-priority sectors.
The Cabinet gave its consent for the Detailed Project Reports for constructing 33 KV line within an estimated cost of Rs. 45.48 crore from Thirot to Killar to supply reliable power in Pangi valley of Chamba district. To eliminate ambiguity and ensure the timely disposal of works, the Cabinet has decided to reduce the time of online publication of tender notice from 10 to seven days, letter of acceptance to be issued by Assistant Engineer/Executive Engineer from 20 to 12 days, letter of acceptance to be issued by Superintending Engineer from 27 to 17 days and letter of acceptance to be issued by Chief Engineer from 30 to 22 days in Public Works Department. It gave its nod to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the disposal of salvage trees across the state. This move aims to ensure the prompt removal and management of fallen or damaged trees lying along roadsides.
It further decided to grant powers to the DFOs to manage lots up to 50 trees in order to streamline the process, reduce cost and ensure timely completion of infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals, roads etc. The Cabinet put its seal to open a new Sub Divisional Office (Civil) at Sunni in Shimla district along with creation and filling up of requisite posts. The Cabinet decided to open PHCs Kota Pab, Hallah, Thota Jakhal, Utrai and Naya Panjore in Sirmaur district along with creation and filling up of requisite posts. It decided to open a permanent police post at Sarchu under Police Station Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district. It gave its nod to enhance the Certain Goods Carried by Road Tax on Tobacco products from Rs. 4.50 per kg to Rs. 6.75 per kg.
