Nod to excise exemption for mobile phone makers

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 29

The state Cabinet yesterday approved several decisions, including constitution of a sub-committee to frame a picking leases/chugan (river) policy, hike in food allowance for NCC cadets and full excise exemption to mobile phone manufacturers.

The Cabinet saw the participation of the two newly-inducted ministers. Later, Secretary Anand Vardhan briefed mediapersons about the decisions.

According to the Cabinet decisions, a sub-committee under Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh will draft a Chugan policy. Forest Minister Dinesh Agarwal, Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai and newly-inducted minister Nav Prabhat are its members.

The Cabinet also approved hike in the food allowance for NCC cadets. They will now receive Rs 150 as food allowance per day. Earlier, the cadets were getting Rs 95 and officers Rs 100 per day.

Mobile manufacturers will get full exemption from excise taxes.

The Cabinet gave nod to the restructuring of the Horticulture Department. Now, 40 new posts will be created. Earlier, the department had 3,510 posts. With the creation of new posts, the department would have 3,550 posts.

It also approved the creation of 10 posts at the Pithoragarh-based sports college. Besides, Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners would now receive allowances on a par with the Chief Secretary. Retired Jawans and employees of the Central paramilitary forces would receive excise benefits on liquor (excise duty to be reduced).

Further, the Cabinet gave nod to the creation of a committee to look into the issue of reduction in VAT on CSD goods.

A nod was also given to the creation of 859 posts of Paryavaran Mitras.

Further, 2,081 existing posts of Paryavaran Mitras will be filled through outsourcing. The beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance scheme, who failed to renew their cards, will be covered under the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme.