By:Arvind Sharma
Passenger ropeways from Dharmshala to Mcleodganj, TIC-lift to Mall Road, Shimla and to Himani Chamunda would be established under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode, as per the approval of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Sh. Virbhadra Singh.
It was decided that the annual fee concession in respect of Dharmshala-Mcleodganj ropeway is to be re-negotiated by a committee comprising of Commissioner (Tourism), Special Secretary (Finance) and Chief General Manager (HPIDB). The committee will also make an attempt to improve annual concession fee in respect of the Palchan-Ropan ropeway.The Cabinet has also decided to constitute Bench of Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal with two benches having one Judicial Member and one Administrative each having its jurisdiction throughout the state. To give relief to Bhakra oustees, the cabinet decided to convert on freehold basis the plots of those Bhakra Dam oustees who had already been allotted plots in New Bilaspur Township earlier, on perpetual leaseholder basis for 999 years, at token consideration of Rupees 1 per square meter. Decision was also taken to re-organize the existing Gram Sabhas and not creating new Gram Sabhas before the General Elections of Panchyati Raj Institutions. This would enable adequate funds to execute the development works rather than making expenditure on creation of new Gram Sabhas.
It was decided to accord sanction to scheme for the repair of houses under the Rajiv Awaas Yojna for General Category BPL beneficiaries to rural areas of the state as per the budget assurance given by the Chief Minister. The Cabinet also relaxed the condition of 15 years of the houses having been completed to 10 years. It also approved that the proposed committee for monitoring the same would be headed by SDO (Civil) and will have BDO and AE as members.
Approval was accorded for cancelling few small hydel electric projects in private sector for their non commitment regarding completing prior project implementation formalities i.e. submitting of DPRs etc. These projects are Ghagas (1MW), Anni-IV (2.50 MW), Najan (1 MW), Suhi (1.50 MW), Chachul (3 MW), Joiner Top-I (5 MW) and Sainj Bhagaru (0.80 MW).
It was also decided to restore the Chatarkhand (1.5 MW) h
ydel Project in district Shimla with small amount of penalty fee for delaying the project. Besides, change of elevation and capacity enhancements of Chandernahan (4 MW) in district Shimla. It also approved expansion of M/S JP Himachal Cement Plant and village Baga in Solan district for enhancement of Clinkerization Capacity. The Cabinet accorded approval for up-gradation of CHC, Ani from 30 to 50-beds hospital, up-gradation of 150 to 200-beds hospital at Rohru and up-gradation of CHC, Padhar to 50 beds Civil Hospital. It also gave its nod to upgrade CHC, Kunihar to civil hospital. Decision was taken to fill 433 posts of forest guards on contract basis from the present on-going recruitment process. It has also been decided to fill up 88 posts in the Revenue Department, which has been already created and also accorded approval for creating 45 posts of various categories for the tehsils Nagrota Bagwan, and Baldwara and in Daralaghat and Bhadrota sub-tehsils. Cabinet also decided to create and fill 24 posts of Junior Office Assistants (IT) for Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees besides filling up of 30 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in the department of Women and Child Development against existing vacancies of Clerks. The cabinet has decided to create as many as 15 different posts in Community Health Center, Nihri. It gave its nod to regularize one post of Junior Accountant in Zila Parishad and do away with the post to be filled on contract basis.
It also decided to fill-up the post of Junior Analyst on contract basis in Food and Civil Supplies Department. The Cabinet decided to create and fill 19 posts of Junior Office Assistants (IT) in Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department subjected to prior abolition of 19 vacant posts of Clerk in the department. It gave nod to fill 20 posts of Junior Office Assistants (IT) in place of Clerks in the Industries Department.
Approval was accorded to fill-up one post of Associate Professor in the department of Forensic Medicine Department at IGMC, Shimla through Public Service Commission by direct recruitment and approved to upgrade one post of Lecturer in the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology to that of Assistant Professor in HP Government Dental College, Shimla. It also decided to upgrade the post of Veterinary Pharmacist to Animal Husbandry Assistant in Municipal Corporation Shimla.
The Cabinet decided to extend one-year joining period of 28 newly selected Staff Nurses on contractual basis doing BSc Nursing from Sister Nivedita Govtenment Nursing College, IGMC, Shimla, PGI, Chandigarh and outside the state in relaxation of Department of Personnel (DoP) instructions. Decision was taken to open new primary health centre Palkwah of district Una along with the requisite staff.
The Cabinet accorded ex-post facto approval to continue the services of already engaged teachers under school management committees for the academic session 2014-15 and 2015-16 and to allow relaxation under clause 10 of policy to continue the services of SMC teachers kept on period basis in the year 2013-14 and 2014-15, so as to avoid fresh selection process.
Approval was accorded to provide vehicles to Mahila Police Station of Shimla, Dharmshala and Mandi. Besides, it decided to transfer of area of jurisdiction of Police Post, Nihri under Police Station, Karsog to Police Station (BSL) Colony Sundernagar. The Cabinet permitted proposed amendments in Himachal Pradesh Panchyati Raj (Appointment and Condition of Service of Panchyat Shahyaks in Zila Parishads) second amendments Rules, 2015. It also permitted amendments in rules regarding Grant of Incentives, Concessions & Facilities to Industrial Units in Himachal Pradesh, 2004 as amended up to 7.2.2009.
It decided to allot by competitive tenders or draw of lots by invitation of application from the public for 2015-16 the retail/other liquor vends/units in L-2, L-14/ L-14A and L-20B and licenses for the same be allotted by renewal/ continuation for 2015-16. It also decided to procure salt under the state subsidy scheme by inviting global E-Tenders.
Decision was taken to carry out amendment in the H.P. Village Common Lands Vesting and Utilization Act, 1974. Approval was accorded to Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy (TRP) with certain guidelines as per TRP, 2014 of Government of India. It also decided to substitute entry No.1 of schedule II appended to the Himachal Pradesh Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Area Act, 2010.
Approval was given to introduce Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Bill, 2015. Approval was given to enhance the registration allowance in respect of Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars from Rupees 200 per month to Rupees 2000 per month with effect from 1st April 2015. Approval was accorded to declare Mangal panchyat of Kunihar block of district Solan as non-backward panchayat on the basis of survey pertaining to the status of backwardness and non-backwardness. It was decided to construct additional accommodation and alteration of Circuit House, Hamirpur and to hand-over the same to the Himachal Pradesh Corporation to be run as a hotel.
It approved Himachal Pradesh Co-Operative Societies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. It also decided to include Deti and Maharaja Community in the State List.