The State Cabinet in its meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur decided to approve certain amendments in the existing hydropower policy of the State. It approved to rationalize the rates of royalty to be applicable for allotment of new projects in view of the provisions of national hydro power policy and also keeping in view the provisions of bordering States of Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.It was approved to defer 12 percent free power for first 12 years in case of the already allotted projects. The Cabinet approved that power of hydro projects up to 10 MW capacities shall be mandatorily purchased by HPSEBL. Also it was approved that generic tariff applicable in case of HEPs up to 25 MW will be of the date of the commissioning and not of the date of implementation agreement. It was also approved that wheeling charges/open access charges will not be levied for HEPs up to 25 MW capacity enabling them to sell power on competitive rates outside the State also.All these steps will ensure that 737 stalled projects of around 5100 MW capacity will get a lifeline and their execution will be geared up. Moreover, it will be possible to allot 300 projects of 2200 MW capacity for which there were no takers despite repeated advertisements under the old policy. All these steps will catalyze private investment in hydro power sector atleast to the tune of Rs. 70,000 crore over the next ten years.
The Cabinet accorded approval to guidelines for implementation of ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kissan’ scheme in the State to reduce cost of cultivation and enhanced farm income by adopting zero budget natural farming. Rs. 25 crore has been earmarked for the Scheme. It will give fillip to organic farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by the farmers in their fields. The State universities would prepare package of practices for its implementation.The Cabinet gave its nod to allocate 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydro project on Beas river in Hamirpur district to SJVN Ltd. for implementation on standalone, BOOM basis instead of Special Purpose Vehicle on the pattern of Luhri Stage-I, II and Sunni Dam hydroelectric projects.It also decided to regularize the services of contractual employees working in different departments of the state government who have completed three years of continuous services as on 31 March, 2018 and 30 September, 2018.It gave its nod to regularize the services of daily waged/ contingent paid workers appointed in various departments who have completed five years of continuous services as on 31st March, 2018 and 30th September, 2018.The Cabinet also decided to issue ‘Letter of Intent’ for grant of mining lease over area measuring 108 hectares for setting up of white cement plant at Noradhar in district Sirmaur in favour of M/s FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd. (a Government of India undertaking), Jodhpur, Rajasthan.In order to encourage students to take interest in Science subject, the Cabinet decided to introduce ‘Yuva Vigyan Purskar Yojna’ for 10+2 students. Under the scheme, ten meritorious students obtaining highest marks in Science stream of 10+2 standard Board examination will be given scholarship.
The Cabinet gave its nod to open new government college at Jawali in district Kangra along-with 18 posts of various categories to manage the educational institution.The Cabinet decided to open regular veterinary dispensary in gram panchayat Patiyalkar in Kangra district along-with requisite staff.It also gave its approval to upgrade veterinary dispensaries opened at Thanakalan and Lathiyani in Una district under Mukhya Mantri Arogya Pashudhan Yojna to veterinary hospitals along-with requisite staff to man these hospitals.It gave its nod to upgrade Sub Tehsil Thural to Tehsil in Kangra district along-with requisite staff to manage the office.The cabinet gave its approval to Himachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Fund (Victim of Crime-Compensation) Scheme, 2018.It decided to fill up six posts of different categories from wards of freedom fighters in Home Guards and Civil Defence Department.It also decided to create a post of Assistant Professor, Physical Education in Government Degree College, Jukhala in district Bilaspur and one post of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in State Court Management Committee in H.P. High Court on contract basis.The Cabinet accorded its approval to fill up 12 vacant posts of sweepers in H.P. Secretariat on daily wages.The Cabinet also decided to rename Government Senior Secondary School, Baldwara in Mandi district as Smt. Shailbala Government Senior Secondary School, Baldwara as mark of respect to late Smt. Shailbala, Assistant Town and Country Planner, who made supreme sacrifice while performing government duties.