Cabinet okays recruitment of guest teachers
The Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today approved a proposal for the engagement of guest teachers in the Education Department to fill gaps due to short-term vacancies in educational institutions. These guest teachers would be paid on an hourly basis.
The Cabinet also decided to realign the age criteria for admission to nursery class and Class I with the National Education Policy, 2020. It decided to regularise the services of about 928 part-time water carriers as Class IV employees, who had completed 11 years of daily and part-time services in the Education Department.
It decided to extend a special relief package to disaster-affected areas, including Samej and Rampur in Shimla district, Jaun-Bagipul and Nirmand in Kullu district and Tikkam Thalu-Kot in Mandi district, to ensure the payment of enhanced compensation to the affected families.
The Cabinet decided to amend the HP District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust Rules, 2016, to have a clear demarcation of directly and indirectly affected areas and ensure that at least 70 per cent of the DMF funds were utilised exclusively in the affected areas.
To eliminate ambiguity and ensure timely completion of development works, the Cabinet decided to reduce the time of the online publication of tender notices from 10 to seven days. The time for the issuance of the letter of acceptance by an Assistant Engineer/Executive Engineer from 20 to 12 days, by a Superintending Engineer from 27 to 17 days and by a Chief Engineer from 30 to 22 days in the Public Works Department.
It also gave consent to the detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of a 33 KV line from Thirot to Killar at a cost of Rs 45.48 crore for the supply of reliable power in the Pangi valley of Chamba district. The Cabinet gave nod to the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the disposal of salvage trees to ensure prompt removal and management of fallen or damaged trees.
To enhance efficiency in government health institutions, the Cabinet approved the bifurcation of the common cadre of nursing, paramedical, ministerial and non-ministerial staff between the Directorate of Health Services and the Directorate of Medical Education.
The Cabinet gave approval for opening a new Sub Divisional Office (Civil) at Sunni in Shimla district, a permanent police post at Sarchu under Keylong police station in Lahaul-Spiti, primary health centres (PHCs) at Kota Pab, Hallah, Thota Jakhal, Utrai and Naya Panjore in Sirmaur.
It also gave nod to enhancing the Certain Goods Carried by Road Tax on tobacco products from Rs 4.50 per kg to Rs 6.75 per kg. It approved the criteria for engaging 80 Khanan Rakshak in the Department of Industries, 26 posts in the Sainik Welfare Department, 17 posts of Punjabi and 14 of Urdu language teachers in the Education Department.
Sub-committee’s report approved, Homestay Rules to be notified
The Cabinet decided to notify the HP Homestay Rules, 2024, after it approved the recommendations of a sub-committee headed by Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan
The Cabinet gave nod to the notification of the HP Homestay Rules, 2024, based on the recommendations of the sub-committee
According to the new provisions, preference would be given to bona fide Himachalis in running homestays. Besides, the requirement of obtaining an NOC from the HP State Pollution Control Board, local bodies or any other department had been waived.
However, proper sewerage and garbage disposal mechanisms would be mandatory. The installation of rainwater harvesting systems would be encouraged in homestay units
The Cabinet also accepted the recommendations of a high-powered committee on the hydropower sector headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi
Under the provisions, the government would formulate a policy to revive projects of up to 25 MW that had shown no visible progress. There are at present over 700 such stalled and un-allotted projects in the state, which are depriving the government of revenue
