Cabinet Decisions
Shimla: To rationalize schools, the state cabinet approved a policy about taking over aided schools, increased the transportation rates for cement carriage and decided to constitute a cabinet sub-committee for recommending amendments in the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Rules, 1975.
Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu disclosed that as a step to rationalize schools, the cabinet in the first phase decided to take over 19 government aided schools. Three of these schools which are in close proximity to each other would be merged into one institution, she said.
In all there are 40 aided schools in the state which are extended 95 % grant. The assets of the schools being taken over would become government property and the staff would be absorbed as state employees.
To encourage school attendance, students having to travel over 5 Kms for attending classes, the cabinet decided to give scholarships ranging from Rs 200 to 300, depending upon the distance, said the chief secretary.
Only those having 80 % attendance would be eligible for the stipend, she added.
With increase in diesel prices, transport rates for cement carriage have increased from 52 paisa/per quintal/per Km to 68 paisa for government supply and 71 paisa for private supply. The last revision of these rates was done in 2008, said Sandhu.
A cabinet sub-committee headed by revenue minister Gulab Singh Thakur and consisting of IPH minister Ravinder Ravi, industry minister Kishan Kapoor, health minister Rajiv Bindal, transport minister Mahender Singh and rural development minister Jai Ram Thakur as members was constitute by the cabinet to recommend necessary amendments in the HP Tenancy and Land Reform Rules.
In principal approval was given for financial model, concession period and bidding parameters for construction of bus stands under PPP mode.
The cabinet also cleared the decks for making the newly constructed bus stand at Tutikandi in Shimla functional soon. Relaxation was granted to the floor area ratio’s as permission for construction of the building was granted before the new law became applicable, said the chief secretary.
Monthly remunerations for 2095 embroidery teachers have been increased from Rs 1100 to 1400 and also increased subsidized ration quota for those residing in the backward areas of Dodar Kwar in Shimla district and Bara Bhangal in Kangra district.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
