The State Cabinet meeting was held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.It was decided in the meeting that custom of presenting bouquets, shawls and caps in government functions be banned and all the non-government organizations be also appealed to adhere to this decision. The Cabinet also acknowledged the timely steps initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country due to which the situation of our country is far better than most of the developed nations.The Cabinet thanked the Prime Minister for his timely initiative and also for his appeal to the general public to stay wherever they are. It also thanked the various NGOs, social and religious organizations in the State for their wholehearted support in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic.The Cabinet made a fervent appeal to the people to contribute generously towards PM CARES Fund. It also urged the people to download Arogya Setu App and always use face cover for their safety. It also thanked the Union Government for providing generous financial accommodation.In view of emerging situation and for safety of health care workers directions were issued to maintain stock of safety equipments such as 50,000 PPE Kits, 10,000 N-95 masks, 10 lakh surgical masks. It was also informed that rapid test kits be also procured in adequate numbers for testing in hot spots and inter State borders.A presentation on Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna and its implementation status in Himachal Pradesh was made in the Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet approved new Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules, 2020 by repealing the Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules, 1979 for running fishery activities smoothly in the State and for proper implementation of developmental policies/schemes for the fishermen. It gave its nod to upgrade veterinary dispensary Deothi in Kasauli Vidhan Sabha area of Solan district to veterinary hospital alongwith creation of requisite posts to man this hospital.The Cabinet accorded ex post facto approval to the Himachal Pradesh Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 notified on 11th March, 2020 and further amended on 14th March, 2020. It was also apprised regarding regulatory and preventive measures undertaken and instructions issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare to tackle the situation which had arisen due to outbreak of COVID-19.It gave its consent to fill up one vacant post of Assistant Professor in the department of Pulmonary Medicine at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk in Mandi district through direct recruitment to facilitate the people.The Cabinet gave its approval to regularise the services of contract employees who have completed three years of regular service as on 31st March, 2020 and who would be completing three years of regular services on 30th September, 2020.It also decided to regularize the service eligible daily wagers/contingent paid employees who have completed five years of service as on 31st March, 2020 and who would be completing their five years on 30th September, 2020.It decided to fill up 13 posts of Clerks in Health and Family Welfare Department on compassionate ground.The Cabinet gave its consent to fill up one post of Director, Sainik Welfare Department through Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission on regular basis.