The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet in its meeting held here today approved fresh consolidated guidelines for opening new Fair Price Shops (FPS) wherein first preference of allotment would be given to Ekal Naris, Widows raising children on their own, Mahila Mandals, Co-operatives of women or other collectives of women and physically handicapped persons.
Chief Minster Virbhadra Singh presided over the meeting. The second priority for allotment of fair price shops would be to Ex-servicemen /unemployed education person with no family members in regular employment followed by Gram Panchayats and cooperative societies as third and fourth option respectively. The FPS is generally to be opened for a population of 1500 or above and in Tribal, remote and inaccessible/sub cadre areas of the State, the norms can be relaxed up to a population of 1000 or above or 150 ration-card holders.
For efficient operation of Targeted Public Distribution Scheme and to make availability of sufficient warehousing facilities for food grains in the State, the cabinet agreed upon for transfer of land belonging to Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to HP State Civil Supplies Corporation for construction of Godwons on token lease money of one rupee.
The Cabinet approved that 50 percent promotional avenues for appointment in HAS will henceforth comprise of 25 percent from Tehsildars and 25 percent from other categories based on inter-se seniority, out of which 17 percent will be from the BDOs cadre. It was also decided that appropriate training in revenue matters be ensured for all feeder categories on appointment in HAS.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal of not allowing any Technical and Vocational educational Institutions to make admissions in any course in violations of the prescribed norms of Central and State Regulating bodies from the session 2014-15, failing which the regulating body will take action as per the regulations to ensure maintenance of academic standards which is a prerequisite for respectable placements of the students.
The Cabinet in its meeting held here today decided to enhance the honorarium of tailoring teachers from Rs. 1600 to Rs. 2000 per month thereby fulfilling the commitment the Chief Minister made in his budget speech.
The cabinet gave its consent for up-gradation of Kupvi Sub-Tehsil to Tehsil and opening of Sub-tehsils at Deha in Chopal and Haripur Dhar in district Sirmaur.
The Cabinet approved for starting three new trades in Government ITI at Shahpur in district Kangra from academic session 2014-15 which includes that of a Plumber, Mechanic (Refrigeration and Air Conditioner) and Digital Photographer. It was also decided to start one new course in each of Government Polytechnics at Rohru, Chamba and Kangra.
It also approved for inviting global bids for Jangi-Thopan-Powari (960MW) HEP. The Cabinet approved the extension in Commercial Operation Date (COD) of small Hydroelectric projects upto 5 MW capacity. Besides, the Cabinet cancelled the Baggi Nallah Small Hydel Electric Project (SHEP) and Ghayagi project falling in district Mandi and Kullu respectively. Apart from this, nod was given to restore the cancellation of Joiner II (3MW) SHEP in district Chamba.
The Cabinet allowed relaxation in the norms for the construction of Jakhu ropeway which includes 6 Nos Habitable floors besides the height of the building etc. under HP Municipal Act 94.
The Cabinet also approved for the construction of multilevel parking at Tutikandi. The 11 storey building will have parking facility on its 8 floors besides two floors will be used for office and one for restaurant.
Consent was given to fill 12 posts of Lady Village Development Coordinators (LVDCs) on contract basis and also allowed the department of rural development to obtain the services of 15 Data Entry Operators on out-source basis.
The Cabinet agreed upon to issue NOC to open B.Sc. (Nursing) training institute of Shankutla Memorial Charitable Trust Chamba with annual intake of 40 students.
Cabinet also gave its nod for making Rajiv Gandhi Government Engineering College Kangra at Nagrota-Bagwan as a constituent college of the Himachal Pradesh Technical University, Hamirpur so as to avail grant-in-aid on the analogy of Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Engineering College, Sundernagar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Engineering College, Pragatinagar.
It also agreed for inviting applications for allotment of SHEPs upto 5 MW capacity on the basis of identified and self-identified projects.
It approved to amend the rules for grant-in aid to non-Government colleges. It also gave its nod to fill posts of District Treasury Officer through direct recruitment through the Public Service Commission. It also approved to fill up 30 posts of Junior Engineer in PWD Department on contract basis through direct recruitment.
The Cabinet approved for transferring the PWD Divisions of Sarkaghat and Dharampur, which are under the administrative control 8th PWD circle Hamirpur, under 1St PWD Circle Mandi. Besides, the Cabinet approved creation of additional Division for NH-305 i.e. Sainj-Jalori-Banjar-Aut road. The Cabinet agreed to set up Special Land Acquisition Unit (SLAU) at Pandoh in Mandi for four laning Ner Chowk-Kullu-Manali road.
