Himachal Cabinet clears Apple procurement scheme, amends residency certificate period

By: Ravinder Makhaik

Shimla: The cabinet, today, modified terms for grant of Himachal bonafide certificates by extending residency period from 15 to 20 years even as it approved the market intervention scheme (MIS) for apples, launched a new forestry plantation scheme and created a new forest circle for Hamirpur.

Presided over by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, the cabinet to continue with the implementation of the MIS scheme to procure ‘fair and average quality apple’ during current crop season with a view to ensuring remunerative prices of the produce, a cabinet spokesman stated.

For the period August 1 to October 31 the cabinet decided to procure apples at Rs 5.25 per kg at procurement centers to be set up government agencies HPMC and HIMFED. Only orchardists with a horticulture care would be entitled to sell at these centres.

With opposition congress opposing the move, the cabinet amended it earlier decision and revised the period of stay from 15 years to 20 years for a non-Himachali to qualify for obtaining bonafide Himachali Certificate.

Taking note of the propaganda being carried out by vested interests, the cabinet clarified that linking the issue of bonafide Himachali certificate with the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 provisions was totally wrong and contrary to the spirit behind the decision taken.

Even among bonafide Himachali only those are eligible for purchase of land who are agriculturists by profession and rest have to go through the laid down procedure for purchase of land in the state, the cabinet spokesman stated.

To increase green cover, the cabinet decided to launch a new scheme with private participation by distributing about 4 lakh plants free to the land owners for carrying out plantation over their private lands during the year. Forest department would remain the implementing agency for the scheme.

The cabinet created a new forest circle at Hamirpur covering Una, Dehra and Hamirpur Forest Divisions and also by bringing some areas of Mandi Division under its operational jurisdiction.

To manage employees state insurance (ESI), it was decided to set up a separate society under the Societies Registration Act.

The cabinet liberalized terms of the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Act, 2008 for grant of passes to ply vehicles on the sealed and restricted roads of Shimla town.

Approval was granted to continue with supply of refined oil and other subsidised essential commodities under subsidised Public Distribution System to all ration card holders.

Cabinet approved filling up of 30 posts of excise and taxation inspectors and decided to re-engage the services of 19 coaches on contract basis in youth services department, the spokesman said.