The State Cabinet in its meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur decided to recommend to the Governor to convene H.P. Vidhan Sabha winter session from 7th to 11th December, 2020 at Dharamshala.The Cabinet decided to grant special vacation to all government and private schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges and coaching institutes from 11th to 25th November, 2020 for students, teaching and non teaching staff in view of the present Covid-19 situation.The Cabinet decided to organize next Janmanch on 5th December, 2020.It also approved to reduce the token tax to be charged on various vehicles. The token tax of 6 percent would be charged on motor cycle/scooter of value upto Rs. One lakh whereas it would be 7 percent above Rs one lakh. It also decided to charge token tax of 6 percent on personal motor vehicle and construction equipment vehicles of upto Rs. 15 lakh and 7 percent on personal motor vehicle and construction equipment vehicles of more than Rs. 15 lakh.The Cabinet decided to fill up 220 posts of pharmacists on contract basis. Vacant Class-IV posts in PHCs and CHCs of the State would be filled on daily wage basis in Health and Family Welfare Department.
It decided to approve ropeway project from Narkanda to Hatu Peak and allot the consortium of Randhawa Constructions Private Limited New Delhi and Q2A Solutions Limited Honkong (JV) on PPP mode for a period of 40 years.It also gave its consent to create and fill up 12 posts of Personal Assistants with the District and Session Judges in the State.It gave its nod to create and fill up seven posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) one each in ADR Centres at Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra at Dharamshala, Kinnaur at Reckong Peo, Sirmaur at Nahan, Shimla and Una on contract basis.The Cabinet decided to open one ART Centre at Mandi alongwith creation and filling up of requisite posts to facilitate the people.The Cabinet also reviewed the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the State. It directed that testing should be increased for each Covid-19 positive case, contact tracing must be carried out diligently in the shortest possible time. The Cabinet also directed that special campaign be launched for protection of the vulnerable groups through the field staff of the Health and Family Welfare Department. The Department was also directed to launch an extensive IEC campaign for promoting Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. The Cabinet also appealed to the general public to follow all the Covid-19 preventive protocols during social functions such as marriages etc.