Himachal Pradesh Cabinet decides to implement Market Intervention Scheme for Apple fruits to ensure growers remunerative price of their produce in various terminals markets and check their exploitation at the hands of middlemen. It has been decided to procure ‘C’ grade apple fruits @ Rs. 5.25 per kg., under the Market Intervention Scheme with effect from July 20 to October 31, 2011 through 259 apple procurement centres and HPMC, HIMFED and HP Agro Industries Corporation will designate procurement agencies.

Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal presided over the Meeting. It authorized Principal Secretary (Tourism and Civil Aviation) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh to sign the Loan Agreement on behalf of the State Government of Himachal Pradesh with the Asian Development Bank authorities and procure $ 95.16m for developing tourism infrastructure for the State.

It decided to implement the condition of 15 percent release of water immediately down stream of diversion structures of Hydel Power Projects in the State vigorously and for the purpose of determination of minimum discharge, the threshold value of not less than 15 percent of the minimum inflow observed in the lean season shall be considered.

In view of the report of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited, discrepancy of elevations, preliminary stage of the 261 MW Yangthang- Khab Project, socio-economic aspects, local preference, environmental concerns and the technical suitability of sites, the domain of the project has been granted approval by the Cabinet to FRL – 2,763, TWL – 2,537 meters and Gross Head 226 meters as against the allotted domain of FRL – 2,805 TWL – 2,600 meters and Gross Head 205 meters.

Cabinet granted approval to introduce a Bill called ‘The Himachal Pradesh Public Services Guarantee Bill, 2011’ before the Himachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly during ensuing Monsoon Session aimed at bringing about transparence, accountability and responsiveness in the administration. The proposed Bill will provide guarantee of the delivery of basic public services to the citizen within a stipulated time frame and sets in place an accountability mechanism for non delivery of notified services.

It approved regularization of 219 class IV daily wagers in Irrigation and Public Health Department, who have completed 8 years of service, 240 working days in each year, by granting them one time relaxation in educational qualifications.

Cabinet granted approval to forwarding Amendment proposal of Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 1993, to the Cabinet Sub Committee already constituted for the purpose for considering changes in the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Rules, 1975, and give its recommendations over the same.