Cabinet gives nod to amend Hydropower Policy 2006

Shimla, Sep 5 (PTI) The State cabinet today gave itsgo-ahead to amend the Hydropower Policy 2006 to allow transferof up to 49 per cent equity shares of Himachali people tonon-Himachalis at any stage after allotment of up to 2 MWprojects and full disinvestment after two years of itscommissioning. Also, in case of bonafide Himachalis to whom projects upto 2 MW to 5 MW capacity had been allotted, could sell ortransfer 51 per cent share to non-Himachali people at anystage after allotment of projects and full disinvestment aftertwo years of commissioning of the project. It was also decided to cancel four projects namelyJoiner-II (3MW) in Chamba, Kanda (0.80 MW) in Sirmaur, Rawin(1 MW) in Shimla and Chahod (2 MW) in Mandi district, anofficial statement said. The Cabinet also gave its approval to a proposal to give anumber of units of electricity, free of cost to the familiesaffected by Hydel projects as per the tariff determined byHimachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC)from time to time. This shall be done once in a year since the tariff isdetermined by HPERC, it said. Also, it was decided to provide 35 kg of ration to theAbove Poverty Line (APL) families in tribal areas and three-kgof pulses to all ration card holders. The Cabinet also approved a hike in honorarium of JalRakshaks (Water Guards) engaged through Panchayati RajInstitutions (PRIs) from Rs 1,350 to Rs 1,500 per month, whichis likely to benefit 2220 Jal Rakshaks but put a burden ofaround Rs 8.50 crore annually. Creation of 855 posts of various categories for Shri LalBhadur Shastri Medical College, earlier known as ESIC MedicalCollege and Hospital Mandi, filling up of 70 vacant posts offiremen and 30 of Driver-cum-Pump Operators on contract basisin Fire Services Department, 65 posts of drivers in Irrigationand Public Health Department and 61 posts of variouscategories for new Government Polytechnic for women at Rehanin district Kangra was also approved. The Cabinet also decided to launch a special recruitmentdrive to clear the backlog posts against the new posts inevery discipline for other Backward Classes (OBC), it said. Nod to upgrade Civil Hospital Jawalamukhi to 75-beddedCivil Hospital and to open Primary Health Centres at ShivpurGagret in Una district, Raja Ka Talab in Kangra district andBasantpur in Shimla district was given. It also approved openning up of Sub-Tehsils at Sarahan andTaklech in Rampur Sub-Division of Shimla district, a new HydroPower Engineering College Bandla in Bilaspur district andgrant of ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh on death and Rs five lakh onpermanent disability to the staff deployed on election duty byState Election Commission, it said. PTI PCLSMJ