The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday decided to maintain stock of medical safety equipment to tackle the coronavirus crisis. It was decided to keep a minimum stock of 50,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, 10,000 N-95 masks and 10 lakh surgical masks. It was also decided to procure rapid test kits in adequate numbers for use at hotspots and inter-state borders.
The Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, decided to stop the custom of presenting bouquets, shawls and caps to Government functionaries.
It acknowledged timely steps initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cabinet made an appeal to the people to contribute generously towards the PM-CARES fund.
It accorded ex post facto approval to the Himachal Pradesh Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations of 2020 notified on March 11 and further amended on March 14.
The Cabinet was apprised of regulatory and preventive measures undertaken and instructions issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare to tackle the crisis. It approved new Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules of 2020 by repealing the Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules of 1979 for conducting fishery activities smoothly and for proper implementation of developmental policies and schemes for the fishermen.
The Cabinet gave its approval to regularise the services of contract employees who have completed three years of regular service as on 31st March, 2020 and who would be completing three years of regular services on 30th September, 2020. It also decided to regularize the service eligible daily wagers/contingent paid employees who have completed five years of service as on 31st March, 2020 and who would be completing their five years on 30th Sept, 2020.