Shimla: The Himachal cabinet today released an 5 percent interim relief for its employees, a 10 % enhancement of social security pensions, announced setting up of an environment fund, set up a single window for clearing power projects, amended land rules for transferring land to industry and gave its consent for a tripartite agreement for setting up super specialty Vivekanand Medical Research centre at Palampur.
Presided over by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal the Cabinet approved release of 5 percent Interim Relief to the State Government employees from October, 2008, payable from November, 2008 and 10 percent enhancement in the existing Social Security Pension of Rs. 300 per month, to all eligible categories to be made effective from January 1, 2009.
The cabinet approved to start a new “ Environment Fund†in the State. Voluntary donation to this Fund will be accepted by the Government. All the members of the Cabinet decided to contribute Rs. 100 per month from their salary to this Fund.
Cabinet gave its approval to the amendments to the rules made under Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1975 for simplifying the procedure for transfer of land to industrial units so as to give boost to industrial investment in the State.
It gave its consent to sign a tripartite Supplementary Memorandum of Understanding between the State Government, Vivekanand Medical Research Trust, Palampur and Jaiprakash Sewa Sansthan, Delhi to co-opt the Jaiprakash Sewa Sansthan to achieve the objectives of the Vivekanand Medical Research Trust for setting up a superspeciality hospital and a medical college in Palampur.
The cabinet gave its approval to the policy of allotment of self-identified power projects in the State upto 25 MW.
The cabinet directed the Power Department to follow “Single Window Clearance System†for obtaining speedy clearance for the IPPs from various agencies/ departments.
It approved allotment of 60 MW Tidong-II HEP to the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited with the condition that the State Government shall not stand guarantee or release any subsidy.
Cabinet decided that in all those cases where Upfront Premium amount has been received but orders for enhancement of capacity have not been issued, the enhancement will be allowed under the New Policy of 3 percent additional royalty only. However, the Upfront Premium received will be treated as ‘Security Deposit’ and will be refunded to IPPs without any interest after commissioning of power projects.
It approved leasing out of government land to 100MW Sorang Power Project in district Kinnaur at the rate of Rs. 1.00 lakh per bigha.
It granted approval for the filling up of 170 posts of different categories in various departments and Corporations. This includes 41 posts of teaching and non teaching categories in the Education Department; 46 in HP Power Transmission Corporation to be filled up on secondment basis from HPSEB and other departments; 75 posts of various categories in Public works Department, 5 posts for Police District, Baddi and 3 posts of teachers in the CSK University of Agriculture, Palampur.
It approved revision of cement transportation rates for lifting the same to various destinations of government departments and public sector undertakings. Flat rate of Rs. 20.80 per quintal shall be applicable for 0 to 40 kms. against the existing rate of Rs. 16.72; Re 0.52 per quintal per kilometer shall be applicable for both ACC and Gujrat Ambuja Cements Limited for the distance ranging between 0 to 100 kms. against the existing rate of Re. 0.46. The transportation rate from factory to Shimla and beyond shall be calculated as per actual distance covered through actual route i.e. through Shimla bye-pass, at the rate of Re. 0.44 per quintal per kilometer for the distance ranging between 0 to 200 kms. and Re. 0.42 for the distance from 0 km. to 201 kms. and above. The rate agreed upon will be applicable from 16th September, 2008 to 30th September, 2009.
It also granted its approval for the regularization of only B.Ed. qualified contract lecturers and teachers under the control of Higher Education and Elementary Education Department who have completed a minimum of eight years service on March 31, 2008.
It decided to include former Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and Chief Justice of Supreme Court in the list of State Guests under Himachal Pradesh State Guests Rules, 1990, Category-I.
It accorded sanction to make the newly created Police District Baddi functional for the industrial areas of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh with headquarters at Baddi.
It also decided to take over the services of three eligible teachers of the 95 percent State Government funded High School, Manoh Sihal under State control. It was also decided that in future no new school will be opened where 95% aided school is functioning.
It granted its approval for the renewal of the Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme for the employees of the State Government at the same premium as last year .
It accorded approval to the New Policy for training of para-medicals in lab technology and radiology.
It granted approval to allow decoration of three stars by the Forest Rangers, two stars by the Deputy Forest Rangers and one star by the Senior Forest Guards on their official uniforms.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
