Himachal Pradesh govt to recruit 2,061 Van Mitras, do away with 10-mark interview criterion

The state government will recruit 2,061 Van Mitras in the Forest department while the criterion of 10-mark personal interview will be abolished, as per the directives of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today. A policy was formulated for the appointment of Van Mitras but as the criterion of 10 marks for interview was challenged in court, the matter was reviewed. Now, the appointments would be made on the basis of merit in Class XII and others marks and on the basis of marks for various categories like the SC, ST, OBC, IRDP and the sports quota.

The Cabinet also gave approval for the creation of 964 posts of Veterinary Pharmacist, who had been working in the Animal Husbandry Department and awaiting the regularisation of their services.

The Cabinet decided to amend the Eco-tourism Policy, 2017, to align it with the recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 2023, aimed at promoting and developing eco-tourism activities in the state.

The Cabinet decided to transfer the administrative control of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the Additional Director General (Home Guards and Civil Defence) to enhance its effectiveness during emergencies. It also approved the deputation of Home Guard jawans to the SDRF for a maximum period of two years to ensure its smooth operation.

To promote the use of electric vehicles (EV) and reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles, the Cabinet decided to involve private players to expand the EV charging station network along the six green corridors in the state. At present, 77 EV charging stations are operational along these corridors.

150 nursing posts to be filled

• The Cabinet approved the setting up of five automated testing stations for vehicle fitness assessment, utilising advanced automated equipment, at a cost of Rs 5 crore each
• The Cabinet decided to create and fill 150 posts of nursing staff in Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital, Hamirpur, besides six posts of Associate Professor and 10 of Assistant Professor in its departments of General Medicine, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia and Radiology

SDPO office approved for Nadaun

• The Cabinet gave nod to opening a Sub-Divisional Police Officer’s (SDPO) office at Nadaun in Hamirpur and the creation and filling of five posts of various categories there
• It also approved the establishment of a new fire post at Indora in Kangra district along with 13 posts
• The Cabinet also approved the setting up of a police post at Shinku La under Keylong police station in Lahaul and Spiti, besides the creation and filling of six posts of various categories