Stern decisions of Himachal Cabinet: Cancels allotment of 7 Hydro Projects

By: Disha Singh Sharma

Shimla: The Himachal cabinet on Tuesday cancelled allotment of 7 private small hydro projects, till June stopped the process of alloting self identified small hydro project, approved draft of 2009 electricity duty bill and changed the approval procedure for obtaining construction permission in restricted localities of Shimla city.

For delaying project implementation, the cabinet presided over by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal decided to cancel allotment of Machhad-I, 3 MW; Machhad-II, 2 MW; Koot, 5 MW; hydro project in Shimla district; Anu, 2 MW; Chennari, 3 MW and Bakhli, 4.5 MW; in Mandi district; and Moujhi-III, 2.5 MW in Kangra district. They would be allotted afresh after being re-advertised, a cabinet spokesman said.

Cabinet also decided that power department would not accept any self identified project till 30, June and approved policy guidelines regarding processing and allotment of such projects. Draft of HP Electricity (Duty) Bill – 2009, which will repeal existing HP Electricity (Duty) Act – 1975, was approved.

The cabinet approved setting up of a screening committee for grant of construction permission in core, green and heritage zones under Shimla planning area.

The industry policy was amended to incorporate bio-technology for various incentives applicable to industry except exemption of electricity charges.

The cabinet approved bringing of 14,766 people consisting of senior citizens, widows, handicapped and lepers under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme from 1, April. Number of beneficiaries under the scheme goes up to 2,52,048 for whom Rs 105 crore would be disbursed annually.

To meet shortages in health nursing, the cabinet consented to grant permission for setting up of 23 B.Sc, Nursing and General Nursing Midwifry (GNM) courses in private sector.

To maintain autonomy of sporting bodies, the cabinet decided to introduce the HP Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Repeal Bill, 2009 in the coming budget session.The new bill was necessary because the Sports Act 2005 was opposed by Indian Olympic Association, who had directed national federations of not holding any national championship in states which had brought about such legislation.

Permission to fill up 15 posts of civil judge (Jr Division) in subordinate courts was granted.

To promote animal husbandary as a means of livelihood, the cabinet decided to upgrade 25 dispensaries, open 2 new veterinary hospitals, 14 dispensaries and two semen banks.

Regularizing services of 14 school contract lecturers and 122 contract JBI teachers, who had completed 8 years of service was approved.

For encouraging sporting activity, an additional amount of Rs 36.4 lakhs was sanctioned as state share to Panchayats.

Cabinet consented to lease out 179 kanal land on token lease near Kangra for setting up the National Institute of Fashion Technology campus, cabinet spokesman stated.