Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet accorded approval to make certain modifications/ amendments to the Hydro Power Policy 2006.
The Cabinet, presided by Chief Minister, approved that developer now has to submit the proposals to the Deputy Commissioners concerned for obtaining approvals/ No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from different departments including Gram Panchayats. Numerous clauses has been added for condoning the delay, which include delay due to domain change, delay in obtaining clearances from National Board of Wildlife, wherever applicable, delay in accordance of Terms of Reference (ToR) approval by Ministry of External Affairs, delay due to change in Policy provisions, delay in grant of environment clearances and diversion of forest and government land and due to hurdles created by locals/NGOs by way of threat to management and unethical demands, etc.
The Cabinet granted approval to provide land on lease for setting up 1.2 Mega Watt (MW) Flozen Renewal Energy Private Limited Micro Hydel project at Phati Zari Kothi in Kullu district. It also gave approval for setting up another Hydel Project named Hisrund hydel Project (3MW) by Nanal Hydro Power Consultancy Private Limited in Churah in district Chamba.
The Cabinet decided to give relaxation in terms and condition of Hydel Projects on International Competitive Bidding on Chenab Basin. This has been done so as to enable the developers who have been allotted projects in Chenab basin in term of deferment of Free Power Quantum out of State’s own share of Free Power Royalty for initial 12 years after commissioning of the project so that the basic criteria needed for sanctioning of Loans/funds could be fulfilled and further the same quantum, as deferred, may be recovered in a uniform percentage in next 18 years.
The Cabinet also accorded approval to fill over 575 posts in various departments. The cabinet approved to fill around 300 posts of Junior Office Assistants (IT) in department of Higher education on contract basis, 150 posts of Ayurvedic Pharmacists on contract basis in Ayurvedic Department, 100 posts of Ayurvedic Medical Officers on contract basis i.e., 50 % through direct recruitment and 50% batch-wise.
It also approval for regularization of as many as seven Ayurvedic Medical Officers appointed on contract basis under Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) in Ayurveda Department.
Cabinet gave its approval for creation of five ex-Cadre posts of HPAS for BDO’s category. Approved to fill two posts of Steno Typists in Information & Public Relations Department on contract basis through direct recruitment. Two posts of Junior Technical Assistant (Archaeology & Museum) on contract basis in the Language, Art & Culture Department, one post of District Inspector, Food, Civil & Supplies through direct recruitment and seven posts of drivers in Higher Education department.
It also given approval to fill up one post of system analyst in NIC by outsourcing, one post of Junior office assistant (IT) on contract basis in HP Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board and two posts of Managers in Industries department on contract basis.
