In a major decision before the Assembly elections in the State, Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has decided to restore subsidy on sugar under Public Distribution System (PDS).
Earlier, the Central Government had been providing subsidy on sugar, but it was withdrawn last year.
The decision to restore subsidy ahead of the Assembly polls, was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers, presided by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday evening,
Food, Consumer Affairs and Civil Supply Minister GS Bali in March had assured that the sugar subsidy would be restored by the State from its own sources, after centre withdrew it. lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central Government for withdrawing sugar subsidy, Bali said the State was sensitive towards the needs of its residents and the sugar subsidy would be restored soon.
Although the consumers will get relief in sugar prices after the decision of cabinet, the prices would not be as low as they were earlier under PDS. BPl consumers will now get sugar at Rs 18 per kilo while the APl families will have to pay Rs 29 for the same. Earlier, sugar under PDS was given at Rs 13.50 to BPl families and at Rs 19.50 per kg to APl families.
In another big decision, the Cabinet has given its assent to the proposal of regularising services of daily wagers after a period of 5 years. Earlier, the term of service required for regularizing services of daily wagers was 7 years.
In another decision, the Cabinet gave its nod to regularise the services of 750 daily wagers working in Forest department.
The cabinet also approved to give a hike in honorarium to about 1,350 PTA (Parent Teacher Association scheme teachers), however, the State showed inability to regularise the services of PTA teachers on the regular basis as the matter is pending in the Supreme Court.
In another turn of events, two senior Ministers in Virbhadra Singh cabinet, had a heated exchange of words during the meeting on Monday. The situation got tense during the discussion on giving permit to private tour operators in the State.