The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh, took a decision to provide extension in service beyond 58 years and upto 59 years in respect of all Government employees subject to the satisfaction of the State Government.
The Cabinet expressed concern over the growing incidences of drug peddling and decided to take effective measures to check the menace.
It gave approval for Stray Cattle Policy to tackle the stray cattle problem in the State.
The decision was made to fill up 100 posts of Agriculture Extension Officers in the year 2014-15 and 50 posts in the year 2015-16 on contract basis on consolidated fixed rem uneration of Rs. 8310 per month through H.P State Subordinate Staff Selection Board, Hamirpur.
It approved the revised policy guidelines for setting up of stone crushing units in Himachal Pradesh keeping in view the provisions of the Environment Protection Laws.
The Cabinet gave approval for amendment in H.P Tenancy and Land Reforms Rules, 1975. In case of plots in industrial areas/estates developed by the industrial department/State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDC) the same procedure as per the single window clearance will be adopted.
The approval was given for enhancement of grant-in-aid of Panchayat Chowkidars from Rs. 1650 to Rs. 1850 per month as per the budget announcement of the Chief Minister.
The Cabinet also approved enhancement of the rates of the honorarium to the office bearers of Panchayati Raj Institutions as per budget announcement of the Chief Minister with effect from 1 April, 2014.
The decision was taken to regularize the NET/SET qualified Lecturers (College Cadre) appointed on contract basis between 1997 and 2002 with effect from 1 June, 2014.
Approval was given for amendments in the Rules for allotment of plots to the Bhakra Dam Oustees in New Bilaspur Township.
As per the budget assurance of the Chief Minister, the Cabinet gave its approval to enhance financial assistance to the soldiers of the Second World War and their widows from Rs. 750 to Rs. 2000 per month with effect from 1 April, 2014.
It also approved to give relaxation in sitting parameters of distance from State Highway and Abadi Deh in favour of M/S C&C construction Ltd. for setting up of stone crusher till the completion of work of road widening of Khara Pathhar-Hatkoti-Rohru road in Shimla district.
Approval was granted for allotment of 4.60 MW Luj self identified small hydro electric project in Pangi valley of Chamba district in favour of M/S Dugar Hydro Power Pvt. Ltd. for meeting the construction power requirements of Dugar (236 MW) hydroelectric project.
It was decided to allot 15 MW Sai Kothi hydroelectric project in favour of HPSEB Ltd. to whom Sai Kothi-II HEP has already been allotted so that both the schemes are implemented simultaneously in an optimal manner in the best interest of the State.
The Cabinet gave approval for abolishing 10 Van Thaanas established under H.P Forest (Van Thaana) Rules, 2010. The Van Thaanas to be abolished include Sainj in Theog Forest Division, Nagrota Surian in Hamirpur Wild Life, Deokhan and Balu in Mandi Division, Tikkar in Rohru Division, Kalehal in Chamba Division, Bassi in Bilaspur Division and Habban in Rajgarh Division, Mohal in Parvati Division and Ropa in Great Himalayan National Park Forest Division.
The Cabinet gave its nod for construction of Baijnath-Paprola planning area with a view to ensure sustainable development of this area. Besides, it was also approved to constitute Sangrah planning area in Sirmaur district.
The permission was granted for construction of integrated parking, interpretation centre and tourist amenities complex at village Moin within Chintpurani Special Area in Una district.
The Cabinet accorded approval for enhancement of emoluments/Stipend of ITI personnel on apprenticeship basis from Rs. 6000 to Rs. 10,000 per month and also to re-designate ITI personnel as ITI professionals on contractual basis working at Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics & Space Application Centre (AGiSAC). It also approved enhancement of emoluments of Senior Scientific Professionals from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 27,000 per month and Scientific Professionals from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month + 3 percent annual increase working at Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics & Space Application Centre (AGISAC).
Approval was granted for designating the HP Public Service Commission for the purpose of recruitment of Inspectors in the department of Food & Civil Supplies instead of H.P Subordinate Services Selection Board.
Approval was accorded for the department of Food & Civil Supplies to ensure allotment of wheat/Atta uniformly on per capita basis for all districts of the State.
It took a decision to provide a fix subsidy of Rs. 20 per kg on pulses and Rs. 10 per liter on provision of edible oils under Special Subsidized Scheme. It also gave approval for inviting tenders for three months for procuring subsidized items in addition to the six monthly rates. It gave approval for permanent absorption/merging of four Agriculture Development Officers (Seed) in the department of Agriculture.
It approved filling up of two posts of Law Officers (English) in Law Department in H.P Secretariat through direct recruitment on contract basis with contractual amount of Rs. 14,700 per month.
The Cabinet also gave approval for amendment in Recruitment and Promotion Rules for the post of Assistant Professors (College Cadre) in Physical Education.