After voraciously protesting against illegal setting up of a cement plant as an Opposition party, the Congress-led Himachal Government on Friday approved expansion of the very same Jaypee Himachal Cement Plant at Baga in Solan district. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at Dharamshala on Friday.
The Cabinet approved expansion of JP Himachal Cement Plant at village Baga in Solan district for enhancement of clinkerization capacity, said a Cabinet spokesperson. Himachal Cabinet has also cancelled seven small hydro projects in private sector for their non-commitment regarding completing prior project implementation formalities i.e. submitting of DPRs etc. The projects cancelled 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) project.
However, the Cabinet made a concession for the Chatarkhand (1.5 MW) Hydel Project in district Shimla by restoring the allocation to the entrepreneur after imposing a small amount of penalty fee for delaying the project. Nod for change of elevation and capacity enhancements to Chandernahan was also granted. The Cabinet has decided to allot vends by competitive tenders or draw of lots by invitation of application from the public for 2015-16 in respect of the retail/other liquor vends/units in l-2, l-14/ l-14A and l-20B and licences for the same be allotted by renewal/ continuation for 2015-16.
In another major decision, the Cabinet has decided that Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai lama’s abode at Mcleodganj, which has gained prominence for attracting a steady stream of Tibet enthusiasts, Buddhist scholars and backpackers, would be linked with a ropeway. Besides Dharamsala-Mcleodganj ropeway, the other two approved routes are Shimla’s popular Mall Road, which would be linked with the tourist information centre located at the Cart Road and Chamunda temple, located on the outskirts of Dharamsala, with the ancient hilltop temple of Aadi Himani Chamunda.
At present, the Aadi Himani Chamunda temple can only be reached by an uphill trek in the Dhauladhar mountain range in Kangra district. The spokesperson said that it was also decided to reconstitute the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Tribunal with two benches having one judicial member and one administrative each having its jurisdiction throughout the State.
A decision was taken to re-organise existing Gram Sabhas and not create new ones before general elections to Panchyati Raj Institutions are held. This would enable adequate funds to execute the development works rather than making expenditure on creation of new Gram Sabhas said the spokesman. Another decision was taken to carry out amendment in the HP Village Common lands Vesting and Utilization Act, 1974. Approval was accorded to Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy with guidelines as per TRP, 2014 of Government of India.
Besides, an approval was given to introduce Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Bill, 2015 and to declare Mangal panchayat of Kunihar block of district Solan as non-backward panchayat on the basis of survey pertaining to the status of backwardness and non-backwardness. The Cabinet also approved Himachal Pradesh Co-Operative Societies (Amendment) Ordinance. It also decided to include Deti and Majhara community in the state list of OBC.