The State Cabinet in its meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur passed a resolution thanking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Government of India for approving Corona vaccine for use in India, by taking a lead amongst the comity of nations in this regard. It also thanked the scientists of the country for successful production of the vaccine as part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Programme. The Cabinet also congratulated Prime Minister for being adjudged as best and most popular leader worldwide for effective handling of Covid-19 pandemic in the country by American Data Firm Morning Consult in its recently held survey. The Cabinet decided to lift the night curfew imposed in four districts of the State viz. Shimla, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu and to restore the usual six-day week schedule in government offices in the State. It also decided to allow coaching classes in the State with 50 percent capacity. The State Education Department would issue SOP in this regard. On the request of the State Election Commission, the State Cabinet relaxed the condition of allowing not more than 50 persons in an indoor meeting, so that the Commission could undertake its election related training programme effectively.
In wake of the Covid-19 scenario in the State, the Cabinet decided that the make shift hospitals at IGMC Shimla, CHC Nalagarh and Dr. Rajindra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda would be made functional by outsourcing of Ward Sisters, Staff Nurses, DEOs and Class-IV for the time being, whereas Medical Officers would be arranged through fresh/direct walk-in-interviews and the proposal of HLL would be kept in abeyance depending upon the future Covid scenario.It also gave approval to start Single Window Empanelment for registration of private hospitals for effective implementation of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Him Care Yojana and Government Medical Reimbursement Scheme in the State. A presentation was made by the Horticulture Department before the Cabinet on six months target till March, 2021 and next one year’s target w.e.f. April, 2021 to March, 2022. Animal Husbandry Department also made presentation on Avian Influenza on the occasion.The Cabinet advised the Department of Health and Department of Animal Husbandry to ensure adequate availability of medicines specific to this avian flu and PPE kits for staff. It also advised strict enforcement of restrictions on movement imposed by the Deputy Commissioner Kangra.