The State Cabinet in its meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu decided to approve ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme of the Forest Department under which one ‘Van Mitra’ each, in 2061 Forest Beats would be engaged to strengthen the participation of local communities in protection, conservation and development of forest areas by roping in grass root level institutions and gave nod to fill up 100 vacant posts of Forest Guards in the Forest Department on contractual basis.
It decided to enhance the honorarium of Jal Rakshaks, Multi Purpose Workers, para fitters and para pump operators of Jal Shakti Vibhag by Rs. 500 per month raising it to Rs. 5000, Rs. 4400, Rs. 6000 and Rs. 6000 respectively. The Cabinet approved in principle to establish a passenger ropeway system from Chintpurni Baba Mai Dass Bhawan Parking to Chintpurni Temple in PPP mode in district Una with a cost of Rs. 76.50 crore in order to facilitate the pilgrims.
It also gave its approval to hire 15 e-taxis in the Transport Department. It decided to promote Amateur and Community Radios for ‘Alternate Communication during emergencies in all districts of the State. This would provide effective information exchange between information sources, emergency managers and those impacted by disaster or emergent situations.
The Cabinet decided to reduce the Additional Goods Tax on lead by 25 paise per kg. It also accorded approval to grant 234 routes for private operators and additional 100 routes for tempo travelers to provide better transport facilities to the people of the State. It also gave its approval for declaring Traffic Inspectors, Motor Vehicles Inspectors, Senior Motor Vehicle Inspectors of the Transport department and Assistant Sub Inspector and Head Constable of the Police Department as designed authority to compound the offences under various Sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
The Cabinet decided to provide two Biswas of land in urban areas and three Biswas of land in rural areas who have been rendered homeless and those who are not left with the land suitable for construction of new houses. Nod was given for a Special Relief Package for the disaster-affected families in the State as announced on 30th September 2023 by the Chief Minister. Under the Special Package, the compensation of Rs. 1.30 lakh for a completely damaged house would be increased five and a half times to Rs. 7 lakh.
Apart from this, the compensation of Rs. 4,000 for partial damage to a 'kutcha' house would be increased by 25 times to Rs. 1 lakh, while the compensation for partial damage to a 'pucca' house to be increased by 15 and a half times, from Rs 6500 to Rs. 1 lakh. Further, compensation of Rs. 25,000 given in case of damage to a shop or dhaba would also be enhanced four times to rupees one lakh.
The state government will also provide increased financial assistance of Rs. 50 thousand instead of Rs. 3000 for damage to the cowshed. The state government will provide assistance of Rs. 50 thousand for damage or loss to the belongings of the tenants thereby marking 20 times increase, from existing Rs. 2500. For the loss of large milch and draught animal's compensation of Rs. 55000 and for goat, pig, sheep and lamb Rs. 6000 per animal compensation would be provided.
The compensation of Rs. 3615 per bigha for damage to agricultural and horticultural land would be increased to Rs. 10 thousand. The compensation on crop loss of Rs. 500 per bigha is to be increased eight times to Rs.4000. The financial assistance for removing silt from agricultural and horticultural land is to be enhanced from Rs. 1384.61 per bigha to Rs. 5000. This special package would be granted from 24th June, 2023 to 30th September, 2023.
It also decided to amend the Shimla Development Plan and construction would be permitted in green belt area lying above the road, from Navbahar to Ram Chandra Chowk to Machhiwali Kothi to Christ Church to Lakkar Bazar to IGMC to Sanjauli Chowk to Navbhar where there are no trees. Residential construction in the Green Belt area as per Shimla Development Plan will be permitted only on those plots in which there are no trees. Further, it also decided to amend H.P. Town and Country Planning Rules to allow construction at a distance of 5 meters and 7 meters from Nallah and khad respectively.