IBEX NEWS,Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Cabinet meeting was held on Saturday in Shimla under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Many major decisions have been taken in the meeting. The state cabinet approved the reclassification of Level-11 pay scale posts from Group B to Group C. Under this decision, now only bonafide (permanent/original) Himachalis will be eligible to apply for Group C posts. Earlier, recruitment for these posts falling under Group B category was done through Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and candidates from all over the country could apply for these posts. Now their recruitment process will be done under Group C rules through Himachal Pradesh State Selection Commission. Recruitment of 500 Pashu Mitras was also approved in the meeting.
It also approved to enhance the honorarium of multi task workers of the Public Works Department from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 5500 per month, benefitting around 5000 workers.
The Cabinet decided to introduce a Milk Incentive Scheme for farmers supplying milk to eligible non-government dairy cooperative societies, under which a subsidy of Rs. 3 per litre will be provided to milk producers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
It approved the decision to shift the office of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation from Shimla to Dharamshala. This move aligns with the declaration of Kangra as the Tourism Capital of the state and aims to help decongest Shimla city.
It decided to create and fill up 101 posts of various categories in Police Lines of District Police Dehra.
To encourage self-employment and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, the State Cabinet has approved the provision of interest subsidies for the establishment of solar power projects. Under this initiative, a 5 percent interest subsidy will be provided for solar projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas, while a 4 percent subsidy will be extended for projects with capacities between 250 KW and 2 MW in non-tribal regions.
The Cabinet also approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HIMURJA and selected Gram Panchayats for the installation of 500 KW solar power plants in 100 panchayats under the Green Panchayat Scheme. Each project is expected to generate revenue of approximately Rs. 25 lakh per month. 30 percent of the earnings will go to HIMURJA, 20 percent to the State Government, and 40 percent to the respective Gram Panchayats. An additional 10 percent share will be allocated to Gram Panchayats specifically for the welfare of orphans and widows.
The Cabinet gave its consent for Panchayat Emergency Response Centre in each 3645 panchayats of the State to ensure effective response in the event of natural disasters to save the human lives and properties.
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