HP govt cancelled 7 small Hydro Electric projects, to open 23 Nursing Schools
BIJENDER SHRAMA
Wednesday, 28 January 2009

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet in its meeting held here decided to cancel allotment of 7 Small Hydro Electric Project for not complying to the terms and conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the State Government by the IPPs, forfeit their earnest money and bank guarantee for not starting the project construction work within the prescribed time frame.

The projects include Machhad-I, 3 MW; Machhad-II, 2 MW; Koot, 5 MW; in district Shimla; Anu, 2 MW; Chennari, 3 MW and Bakhli, 4.5 MW; in district Mandi; and Moujhi-III, 2.5 MW in district Kangra. It has also been decided to re-advertise the above projects to invite fresh proposals. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, presided over the Meeting.

It approved bringing of 14,766 new old age, widows, handicapped and lepers, under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme from 1st April, 2008, thereby raising the number of such beneficiaries in the State to 2,52,048 and disburse them Rs. 105 crore annually as pensionary benefits. New pensioners shall be disbursed arrears worth Rs. 4.5 crore for 10 months of the current financial year and pay the same from coming month onwards alongwith old beneficiaries.

It also decided to rationalise various posts/institutions in Animal Husbandry Department of the State with a view to give boost to animal husbandry activities and accordingly upgrade 25 existing Veterinary Dispensaries to that of Veterinary Hospitals/Central Veterinary Dispensaries, besides opening of 2 new Veterinary Hospitals, 15 Veterinary Dispensaries and 2 new Semen Banks in the State thereby generate employment and self employment avenues at the door steps of the rural youth.

It consented to grant permission for setting up of 23 B.Sc, Nursing and General Nursing Midwifry (GNM) courses in private sector with intake capacity of 400 in B.Sc. Nursing and 960 in GNM Courses to meet the skilled manpower to man health institutions in a professional manner.

It decided to regularise the services of 14 school cadre contract lecturers and teachers who having completed 8 years of service, as on 31.1.09 and 31.3.09 respectively.

It also consented to regularise the service of 122 contract JBT teachers in Elementary Education Department, who have completed 8 years of regular service as on 31st March, 2008, by granting relaxation in the plus two educational qualification condition to the graduate teachers.

Cabinet approved Policy Guidelines regarding processing and allotment of Self Identified Hydro Electric Projects and decided that the Department shall not accept any Self Identified Project till June, 30, 2009 and decide all previously received cases finally at its own level by this date. Allotment letter shall contain the condition that HPSEB shall have right to First Refusal for the power generated from all projects, except where the IPP intends to use it for captive consumption within the State of Himachal Pradesh.

It approved introduction of Himachal Pradesh Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Repeal Bill, 2009, during the ensuing HP State Legislative Assembly Budget Session, with a view to maintain autonomy of the Associations in the State. The reason for repealing the Sports Act. 2005, and introducing the aforesaid Bill thereof was that the same was not meeting its purpose as out of 42 Associations registered with H.P.Sports Council, only 21 Associations had got themselves registered under the Act. The Act was subject to opposition by the Indian Olympic Association and the same had directed the National Federations not to allot National Championships to those States that have brought such legislation.

It decided to amend the Industrial Policy of the State by incorporating Bio-Technology as leading industry and provide various incentives, except exemption in the electricity charges. It has also been decided to adopt liberal attitude for transfer of industrial plots/sheds in consonance with the Industrial Policy.

It approved creation of 36 posts of teaching and non-teaching categories to man the newly upgraded Senior Secondary Schools, Somnachni and Khunachi in Chachiot area of district Mandi and Siddhpurdhar in Jwali area of district Kangra.

It granted permission to fill up 3 vacancies of teachers on contract basis in the newly upgraded Government Middle School, Rain Galu, in district Mandi to cater to the educational needs of the students; one post of driver in the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department by secondment from surplus pool of the HP State Forest Corporation.

Cabinet granted permission to fill up 15 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Subordinate Courts in the State.

It further decided to make provision of educational qualification as Matric in the appointment of constable in the Police Department, reserved for Ex-Servicemen, and further amend Rule 12.10 of Punjab Police Rules, 1934, to incorporate qualification provisions accordingly.