The Himachal Cabinet on Wednesday approved the revised Eco-Tourism Policy-2016 to make the state a leading eco-tourism destination.
The plan envisages eco-tourism attracting at least 10% of overall tourists visiting the State by the year 2030. The policy is based on the understanding that involvement of local communities in eco-tourism would support their livelihood needs and consequently create a stake for them in the conservation of local culture, ecology and environment.
The Cabinet was presided over by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The Cabinet also reviewed the progress of implementation of budget assurance by the departments and directions were issued to the departments to expedite the implementation of pending works.
To ensure a better health care system and to provide better health facilities to the people, the Cabinet approved adoption of recommendations of State Health Commission which calls for creation of HP State Health Fund to generate resources and recommends Sirmour and Kangra districts to be developed in to model health care districts.
Over the next five years all zonal and district hospitals to be upgraded to IPHS standards so that they may be able to offer comprehensive care including ability to provide emergency services, level 2 trauma care, special new born care, surgeries, psychiatric care as well as diagnosis, treatment and long term follow up of treatable chronic diseases. It was also decided to procure and distribute School uniform under Mahatma Gandhi Vardi Yojna to the students of 1st to 10th through e-tender by Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supply Corporation ltd.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to provide facilities in potential industrial zones in industrial corridors in Himachal Pradesh at Dulehar, Dehlan, Ispur and Ispur-II, Gagret in district Una, Paonta Sahib, Mazra and Nahan in district Sirmour, Kotla, Indora and Raja-Ka-Bag in district Kangra, Doon, Patta, Tiro, Majhol and Nalagarh in district Solan and Kot-Kehloor in district Bilaspur.
The Cabinet approved to enhance the honorarium of Gram Vidya Upasak from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 7000 per month fulfilling the announcement made by the Chief Minister in his budget speech.
Approval was given by the Cabinet to provide relief to the persons under the State Disaster Relief Manual who were presently not covered under the relief manual. This includes death or injury due to electric current, dog bites etc. It was decided that in absence of FIR or post-mortem report, the medical certificate, death certificate, on the statement of Panchayat Pradhans or local people, the relief could be provided.
More than 3000 posts to be created
The Cabinet gave its nod to fill up 1500 posts of C&V category Teachers includes 600 posts of OT, 400 posts of lT, 200 posts of DM and 300 posts of PET in Elementary Education Department on contract basis. Approval was given to fill up 465 posts of Forest Guards on contract basis in Forest Department by direct recruitment.
The Cabinet also decided to fill 418 posts of Additional Anganwari Workers cum Nutrition Counsellors for ICDS Blocks of Sirmour and Kangra districts. 214 posts of Veterinary Pharmacists on contract basis would be in Animal Husbandry Department.
Similarly 40 posts of Excavator Operators and 20 posts of Driver on contract basis through direct recruitment in PWD. 100 posts of Junior Engineer (Civil) on contract through direct recruitment in PWD.
HYDEl POWER SECTOR
The Cabinet decided to allot 528 MW Jaisi Hydel Electric Project to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation and also approved for re-allocation of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam ltd. (SJVNl) proposed stage-I (219 MW) and Stage-II (143 MW) luhri, hydro electro project in favour of SJVNl in line with the terms and conditions of Hydro Power Policy of the State.
Approval was accorded for incorporation of the company (Special purpose vehicle) Kishau Corporation ltd by the Government of Himachal Pradesh in joint venture with the Govt. of Uttarkhand in equal participation to execute Kishau Multipurpose Project (660 MW), besides authorizing HPPCl to perform all acts and deeds for incorporation on behalf of the State Government.
Cabinet approved for change of elevation in respect of Pakhnoj-II (3 MW) State Hydel Electric Project in district Kullu. It was decided to increase the share holding of the State Government in SJVNl to 26%. However the State Government has no objection if Central Government equity is disinvested.
OTHER DECISIONS
The Cabinet decided to reduce the Stamp duty from four percent to three percent for registration of house in the name of women fulfilling the budget announcement of the Chief Minister.
Open new Government Colleges alongwith posts at Dhaneta district Hamirpur, Jandaur in Kangra, Khad in Una, Nirmand in Kullu and lylh Kothi in Chamba.
The Cabinet approved exemption from payment of token tax and registration fee in favour of electric vehicles. This is being done in compliance to orders of National Green Tribunal to provide sustainable, environment friendly, public transit system and encourage the use of Electric Vehicles.