The Cabinet met today in Shimla under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and took several important decisions. The Cabinet decided to open new Government Degree Colleges at Nihri in District Mandi, at Khundian in District Kangra and at Chail Koti in District Shimla. It also sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for each College. It also gave its approval for the establishment of an Indian Institute of Information Technology at Una. The HP Power Corporation Ltd. and the H.P. Power Transmission Ltd. will be the Industry Partners for this project.
The Cabinet gave approval of the Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2014-15 and Supplementary Demand for Grants for 2013-14. Approval was given to present the 27th Annual Integrated Report of Lokayukta, Himachal Pradesh for the year 2013 alongwith explanatory memorandum in the ensuing session of the Vidhan Sabha. The Cabinet decided to present the Comptroller & Auditor Generals (CAG) Report for the year 2012-13 on the table of the Vidhan Sabha during its forthcoming session. It was decided to grant family pension to the families of the military pensioners in addition to family pension admissible from Army side.
The Cabinet gave its approval for paying Travelling Allowance, Daily Allowance, Maintenance Expenses and transport expenses (limited to the bus fare) to the victims of atrocities, his/her dependent and witnesses during investigations of the cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Cabinet gave its approval to increase the State Government Block Guarantee in favour of the H.P. Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, Kangra from Rs. 15 crore to Rs. 20 crore for the purpose of raising loan from the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation.
The Cabinet decided to amend the H.P. Vidhan Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1974 for the posts of Secretary and Joint Secretary. The Cabinet gave its nod to insert Patwar Circle Tikkar of Tehsil Padhar in Mandi District in category-‘E’ i.e. most difficult area.The Cabinet approved to notify Works of Licensees (Himachal Pradesh) Rules, 2014 under section 67 and 68 of the Electricity Act, 2003.It approved outsourcing of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Thirot (3x1.5 MW) and Sal-II (2x1.0 MW) Small Hydro Electric Projects initially for the period of five years through open bidding process.