Shimla : Three suspected patients – a 32-year-old man from Bilaspur under treatment at IGMC-Shimla, and mother-daughter duo from Sulah admitted to government medical college, Tanda — tested negative for coronavirus, revealed a test report received here yesterday from AIIMS, New Delhi.

The negative reports of their blood samples have come as a major relief for the state health authorities. The patient from Bilaspur had travel history from South Korea, while the mother-daughter duo had returned from Italy. They have been under surveillance for the last three days.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, RD Dhiman, who also had video-conference with the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, briefed him about Himachal’s preparedness on meeting the Covid-19 threat. He said all three suspected patients have tested negative for the Covid.

Dhiman said the people should take precaution by not assembling in crowded places and avoid contact with the persons with travel history from China for 28 days.

Shimla :Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presented the state’s budget for the year 2021-21 in the Vidhan Sabha in Shimla on Friday.

This is the third budget being presented by Thakur. For the first time, a paperless budget was presented as Thakur read from a laptop.

Thakur’s wife Dr Sadhna Thakur, former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir and former MLA’s were seated in the VIP gallery for the budget presentation.

• H.P. has been ranked at the top in many sectors at the national level, says Thakur
• 2020-21 to be celebrated as golden jubilee year of statehood as Himachal attained statehood in 1971.
• Thakur says mammoth support given by people to BJP in HP with the highest vote share of 69 per cent in the country and victory in two assembly by-polls is a vindication of his government’s pro-people policies.
• Global Investors Meet at Dharamshala proved to be a major milestone in HP’s development. MOU’s worth Rs 96,000 crores signed and groundbreaking projects worth Rs 13,656 crores envisioned: Thakur
• Vision document has been adopted as a policy document with many schemes like Himcare, LPG connection to every household, enhancement of social security pensions, CM helpline, Jan Manch, housing and irrigation schemes being implemented.
• Liberal funding under various centrally funded schemes has helped farmers, BPL, women, farmers and all weaker sections of society.
• Thakur expressed gratitude to the Centre for granting HP special category state, thereby assuring liberal funding.
• CM says the annual plan size for 2020-21 will be Rs 7,900 crores out of which Rs 711 crore will be under tribal sub-plan. He thanked the 15th Finance Commission for recommending Rs 19,309 crore annual grant.
• CM announces Good Governance Project for districts with the top three performing to be rewarded Rs 50 lakh, Rs 35 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
• Enhancement of MLA Area Development Fund from Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 1.75 crore and a discretionary fund of MLA’s from Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
• Emphasising the thrust on e-governance, CM says cabinet meetings will be paperless.
• Scheme to enhance the income of farmers through the cultivation of saffron and Heeng in suitable areas and identification of cultivable land lying idle by a committee so that it can be given to Himachal residents to enhance the area under cultivation.
• CM announces 50 per cent subsidy for raising steel and bamboo structures for anti-hail nets and makes Rs 50 crore budgetary outlay for it.
• Rs 536 crore for the Horticulture sector.
• Gau Sadans will be set up in all districts and thrust on poultry farming and animal husbandry.
• Mobile Veterinary Services to be introduced on a pilot basis.
• Increase of Rs 2 per litre in prices of milk and setting up of 100 trout farms and thrust on carp fish production.
• Rs 20 crore in the budget for the creation of water reservoirs to meet irrigation needs under Parvat Dhara.
• CM announces a grant of Rs five lakh for Tobacco-free panchayats.
• Rs 15 crore allotted for plantation of one crore saplings and distribution of 50,000 sandalwood plants to farmers for commercial cultivation.
• Vidyalaya Van Yojana announced where 100 schools will undertake plantation to enhance forest cover.
• CM announces Rs 15 crore for setting up 100 Cluster schools and Rs 30 crore for 68 schools which will be modernised with smart classrooms to bring about qualitative improvement in education.
• Rs 9 crore assigned for modernising nine colleges and setting up of 196 virtual classrooms.
• Super 100 scheme to help 100 meritorious students in class 10 prepare for competitive exams by giving them Rs one lakh.
• An increase of Rs 300 per month in allowance of water carriers and mid-day meal workers.
• CM makes Rs 8016 crore budgetary provision for the Education department.
• CM announces Rs 1,500 monthly grant to tuberculosis patients
• Mammography facility in all districts to ensure early detection of breast cancer.
• Three anti retro viral centres for HIV patients at Nahan, Chamba and Ner Chowk medical colleges and 10 mobile health ambulances for tribal and difficult areas
• Samman scheme to help treatment and care of abandoned persons.
• Free medicines for persons above the age of 60 years in all Ayurvedic hospitals.
• Budgetary provision of Rs 2,702 crores and Rs 307 crore for Health and Ayurveda departments.
• CM announces shifting of grain and wood market from the main town in Shimla to decongest the state capital.

• CM announces Rs 454 crore for State Disaster Risk Reduction Fund and Rs 50 crore for Risk Mitigation.
• Rs 2,011 crore for 209 drinking water schemes and grant of one lakh domestic connections.
• A budgetary allocation of Rs 2,313 crore for the Irrigation and Public Health department.
• To ensure there is no vacancy in schools, government to recruit teachers and ensure rationalisation of teachers in schools for optimum utilisation.
• CM announces Rs 58 crore Parampara scheme to promote artisans making handicrafts and traditional items.
• Widows up to the age of 45 years would be provided a subsidy for setting up self-employment units.
• CM says work on Rs 6,947 crore 40 MW Renuka project likely to start this year. Announces one-time policy for expediting the delayed hydro-power projects.
• Announces Rs 158 crore for tackling low voltage problem and Rs 350 crore for expansion of transmission network.
• Announces Rs 480 crore as subsidy for domestic power consumers.
• Announces Rs 50 crore for identifying new tourist destinations under Naye Rahen Naye Manzile scheme.
• In the transport sector, CM announces setting up of a modern Transport Nagar in Hamirpur, Rs 35 crore for national highway safety scheme and Rs 55 crore for providing road connectivity to left out villages.
• Announces a sum of Rs 306 crores for resurfacing of roads and Rs 44 crore for setting up of crash barriers and road widening.
• Allocation of Rs 3,986 crore for the Public Works department.
• Rs 155 crore assigned for setting up of a Centre of Excellence for IT at Waknaghat.
• Rs 100 crore for giving Skill Development Allowance to jobless youth.

Two isolation wards have been set up, one each in the IGMC and DDU Hospital, for patients with symptoms of coronavirus.

Shimla DC Amit Kashyap, reviewing the situation, here today said three suspected cases had been reported in the state. Although their blood samples had been sent for testing, till now no positive case had been reported. The DC urged the masses not to panic.

He said 10,000 pamphlets highlighting the symptoms of Covid-19 and precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the spread would be distributed in schools and anganwaris.

He said it would be ensured that there was no shortage of masks.

Panchayat pradhans have been told to ensure that migrant labourers coming from other areas were screened for the virus. Screening machines had been installed at airports, railway stations and bus stops, he added.

The DC appealed to the public to visit the nearby hospital immediately in case they are suffering from cold, cough and viral. — TNS

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said health services during the Congress regime were in a shambles as institutions were opened on political considerations without creating posts and now efforts are on to fill the vacancies.

This was stated by Thakur while replying to a query on shortage of doctors raised by Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Reena Kashyap in the Vidhan Sabha today. “The Congress created a mess by opening health institutions on political considerations without creating posts.

The institutions existed on paper only with no staff or facilities resulting in the health services being provided to people suffering,” he remarked.

He said there are a total of 345 posts of dental doctors in the state out of which 332 are filled. “A total of 355 dental doctors pass out from various dental colleges in the state every year and 2,819 doctors are registered with the HP Dental Council,” he stated. He added that there is no proposal to lower the retirement age of doctors.

The Chief Minister assured the house that within the next one-and-a-half years, all vacancies will be filled and thrust will be on qualitative strengthening of institutions. He added that walk-in interviews for doctors were being held every week so that no health institution is without a doctor.

Finally, decks have cleared for International Paragliding World Cup Championship to be held at Bir Billing from March 31 to April 5.

Official sources told The Tribune here today that this decision was taken at a meeting held at Shimla yesterday. The meeting was presided over by R D Dhiman Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism). Officials of the state tourism department and Atal Behari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute participated in the meeting. It was decided that Atal Behari Vajpayee Mountaineering Institute will conduct the championship and state tourism department will be the host.

Official sources also disclosed that Paragliding World Cup Association (PWCA) with its head office in Paris, an international agency which organized such global adventurous events and made selection of best pilots, had also notified the dates of World Cup Championships in its calendar. Besides, the state government had also received various clearances from different agencies within the state and outside for holding the event.

This year the state government has made a major change keeping Special Area Development Agency (SADA) Bir Billing and Billing Paragliding Association (BPA) out of the event. In past SADA and a private body BPA had organised all events.

Despite Himachal’s performance being lauded in the education sector at the national level, there are two government primary schools in remote parts of Chamba which are without regular teachers while only one teacher each manages 142 schools.

This was revealed in reply to a query raised by Pawan Nayyar, MLA from Chamba, and Asha Kumari, MLA from Banikhet, that these facts were furnished by Education and Law Minister Suresh Bhardwaj during Question Hour today. “The two government primary schools at Sakrina and Juana do not have a regular teacher and are functioning with the help of teachers on deputation,” said Bhardwaj.

He admitted that this was on account of shortage of teachers but the studies of the students were not suffering as teachers on deputation were teaching them. “The shortage is a major problem in Chamba, Sirmaur and interior parts of Shimla district as teachers are unwilling to go in these areas. The Education Department normally gives teachers their first postings here but at times they get their posting orders modified,” he said.

Asha Kumari suggested that the government must undertake rationalisation so that teachers from schools with lesser enrollment can be shifted to these schools with none or one teacher.

“If you see the data of a number of students, you will find that the schools with one or none teachers have higher enrolment than schools with five teachers. So why not shift these teachers so that the quality of education being imparted to them is not compromised,” she said.

Bhardwaj said Asha had herself remained an education minister and her suggestions would be considered. “We are expediting the process of recruitment of teachers and after getting the Cabinet nod and have sent the request to the Subordinate Selection Board at Hamirpur,” he said.

The minister further said as compared to recruitment of 7,131 teachers in Elementary Education wing by the Congress in its five-year rule, his government had recruited 6,268 teachers in two years. He admitted that there were still 5,938 vacancies in the Elementary Education Department. He reiterated his government’s resolve to fill all vacancies and ensure that students were imparted proper education and there was qualitative improvement in their learning levels.

Terming the abrogation of Article 370 a historic decision, he said it was not merely an emotional issue but had strengthened the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It was for the first time after independence that election to the 310 Block Development Committee seats were held in J&K in which the BJP bagged 81 seats while the Congress could secure only a few and the NCP and PDP ran away from the polls.

Nadda said funds provided by the Modi government were misused by leaders in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “A common worker can be elevated to the post of president as hard work is the lone mantra. No one knows who will be the next party president. He attributed it to 17 crore party workers who toiled to elevate the party to this level.”

Nadda, who was overwhelmed with the rousing reception, thanked the BJP leaders for electing him as the national president. He said, “I had never though that a common worker hailing from a hill state like Himachal could be the party president.”

Referring to US President Donald Trump’s visit, he said it was a big achievement that his 28 of the 30-minute speech in the stadium was confined to praising Modi. He said it was also laudable that former Prime Minister of Britain also said time was not far when the UK would have a British-born PM of Indian origin.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur spoke about the developmental initiatives of his government while Union Minister for State for Finance Anurag Thakur said India was the fifth largest economy in the world after France and the UK which was a big achievement. He said Himachal had been recommended the devolution of Rs 19,309 crore by the 15th Finance Commission while merely Rs 4,338.4 crore had been granted by the 13th commission under the UPA-II when Congress was in power. Keeping in view the interest of orchardists, the highest import duty had been levied on apple import and efforts were afoot to benefit individual tax payers.

Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar extended a word of caution to the party workers and said though this was a golden era for the BJP, there was need to remain vigilant.

Source : The Tribune

BJP national president JP Nadda on Thursday addressed party workers who had converged from 17 assembly segments of Shimla Loka Sabha constituency.

He said he had never expected that hailing from a small hill state he could be elevated to this position.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP’s parliamentary board and 22 states which supported his candidature, he said he will take the party ahead.

“There were more than 2500 political parties in the nation and about seven national parties. Most of them face dynasty or party-based issues where only leaders from specific families can be elevated as presidents. This was causing frustration in their cadres who were helpless and could not raise voice against such traditions,” he said.

The BJP on the other hand is based on ideology where a common party worker can rise to become the prime minister like Narendra Modi, he said.

No one can stop the party from moving ahead as there was introspection within the party based on organisational setup, Nadda said.

Allaying fears of the BJP facing erosion of its base, he said a part with 17 crore workers can’t face defeat.

The party has to move ahead from where it stood now, he added.

Seeking the workers support to surge ahead, he said despite the golden era of the BJP, workers should not forget their responsibility.

He recalled steps like abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir which has strengthened the people and said first time BDC polls were held there without any bloodshed.

Nadda is on two-day visit to his home state Himachal Pradesh beginning today, party’s state unit chief Rajeev Bindal said on Wednesday.

This will be Nadda’s first visit to the state after he took over the party’s reins from Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month.

Nadda will visit Solan and Shimla on Thursday and his home district Bilaspur on Friday, Bindal told reporters in Solan district.

The BJP chief will be accorded a civic reception in Solan’s Thodo Ground at 11 am, followed by another in state capital Shimla at 4 pm, he said.

According to Bindal, Nadda will also attend meetings of the core group of the BJP legislative body and state office bearers in Shimla.

Addressing the Vidhan Sabha on the opening day of the budget session of the Assembly, Governor Bangaru Dattatreya today said his government had fulfilled most of the poll promises besides launching several welfare schemes for every section of society.

Highlighting the achievements of the Jai Ram-led BJP government, the Governor, with Deputy Speaker Hans Raj sitting by his side, took two hours and 20 minutes to read the address in Hindi. There was only occasional thumping of tables by ruling party members and ministers as the Governor delivered his address.

In a departure from past traditions, the Governor lauded the Centre for abrogation of Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposal to construct the Ram temple. “This became possible only because of the guidance of a strong leadership in this country. My government endorses these decisions and congratulates the Central government for taking these unprecedented decisions,” he said.

Ye do saal Vishwas ke, pragati aur vikas ke” remained the guiding principle and the government has fulfilled most of the poll promises made to the people of the state, he said. He said the pace of development had been accelerated with the results of the Lok Sabha election and two Assembly by-polls in Dharamsala and Pachhad only vindicating it.

Making a special mention of the Global Investors Meet at Dharamsala, he said 736 MoUs amounting to Rs 97,700 crore had been signed with potential for generating 1.96 lakh jobs. He added that the ground breaking of 240 MoUs worth Rs 13,656 crore had been held.

He further said public service, grievance redress and good governance are the main objectives of his government. “Therefore, with a view to establishing a direct connect between the government and the public, many welfare policies and programmes like Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Him Care Yojna, Ayushman Bharat Yojna, Mukhya Mantri Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh, Mukhyamantri Swavlamban Yojna, Jan Manch, Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline-1100, Investor Meet, Him Pragati Portal and Sahara Yojna had been launched. He said a total of 189 Jan Manch progammes had been held in which 45,708 complaints had been received and 41,698 addressed. He said several schemes in horticulture, agriculture, irrigation, forest, housing, public works, power, transport, health and education departments had been launched to benefit the people.

The Governor said in order to promote investment in the tourism sector, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2019 has been notified for encouraging private entrepreneurs to built tourism infrastructure. “An MoU has been signed with the Airport Authority of India on January 15, 2020 for developing a green field airport in Mandi District, besides expansion of existing airports and heliports,” he said.

He made mention of the NITI Aayog report in which HP has been ranked second in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, especially in education, gender equality, urban development, reducing inequalities and economic development.

Source : The Tribune

The Department for Panchayati Raj has received requests for the creation of 460 new gram panchayats even as the government is still contemplating on the criterion to be fixed for undertaking the task.

The issue was discussed threadbare at the last Cabinet meeting and is likely to be finalised in the next meeting scheduled for February 25. Sources said the government was likely to adopt the population criterion rather than geographical distance for creating new panchayats.

There are 3,226 panchayats in the state. The last time the reorganisation of gram panchayats was done way back in 2005. The government has received 460 representations for the creation of new panchayats. The process has now been initiated as the panchayati raj elections are due later this year.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Parmar is tipped to be Vidhan Sabha Speaker, replacing Rajeev Bindal.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the BJP Legislature meeting, late this evening. It is reliably learnt that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was keen to appoint Narinder Thakur, MLA from Hamirpur, as Speaker and had forwarded his name to the high command. Parmar will be filing his nomination papers for the Speaker tomorrow and the election will be held on February 26.

However, the central party leadership was keen that a minister should replace Bindal. Sources said both Education and Law Minister Suresh Bhardwaj and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Rajeev Saizal, who were being considered for the post, refused to become Speaker. “Even Parmar was reluctant but the high command cleared his name,” said sources.

Kanwar Grewal, a Punjabi Sufi singer, enthralled the audience during the first cultural night programme at the international Shivratri fair in Mandi town on Saturday.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was present at the event along with other dignitaries. Grewal enchanted the audience with his melodious voice and songs like ‘mast bana denge biba’, ‘toomba vajjda’, etc. The crowd was seen dancing to the tunes of songs sung by him.

Himachali artist Geeta Bhardwaj and Narender Thakur also entertained the audience with Pahari music. Hitanshu Manta, an Ayurveda doctor, also performed at the event.

Old Girls’ Band and Old Boys’ Band, a group of senior citizens of Mandi district, also performed on the stage. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the district administration which made the arrangements for the event.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced a 10 per cent increase in the ‘nazarana’ of the deities participating in the Shivratri festival that began here today. He also announced a 10 per cent increase in the honorarium of ‘Bajantaris’.

The week-long fair began here with the shobha yatra of Madho Rai deity. Hundreds of deities along with their followers took part in the procession. Over 140 deities arrived in the town yesterday and they would stay here till the end of the festival.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the festival by participating in the ‘pagri’ ceremony and ‘puja’ at the Madho Rai Temple in Mandi town. He also presided over the shobha yatra from the Madho Rai Temple to the Paddal Mela ground.

He said, “It is vital that we respect our traditions and culture, as only those societies thrive that respect and love their culture. The Mandi Shivratri festival not only reflects the deep faith of people in their gods and goddesses but also provides an opportunity to them for socialising,”

Thakur said, “In the present era of cut-throat competition, people usually have little time to participate in festivals, which is a matter of concern. Himachal is known as Dev Bhoomi, as the lives of the people of the state are deeply influenced by local gods and goddesses”.

He said that the state was celebrating the golden jubilee year of its statehood. During these 50 years it had made unprecedented and unparalleled development in all spheres. He added that the government had decided to celebrate the year in a befitting manner by highlighting the achievements of Himachal in the last 50 years.

The Chief Minister said that a Shiv Dham would also be developed in Mandi town, besides the construction of a heliport to attract tourists. He added that the government was striving to construct an international airport in the Balh area of Mandi. He added that a multi-storey parking would be constructed in Mandi town.

Thakur announced a trekker hut for tourists to be constructed in the town and Rs 20 lakh for two ambulance roads. He also announced the construction of additional three floors of the bus stand. He inaugurated an exhibition and the SARAS Mela at the Paddal Ground. He visited the exhibition put up by the Information and Public Relations Department, which depicted the journeys of all Chief Ministers of the state. He was also handed over the baton (torch) by the district administration regarding the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign.

Parts of Shimla district received a fresh spell of snow on Friday morning, disrupting traffic in the region.

Shimla got 3 cm of snowfall, while the nearby tourist town of Kufri got 23 cm between Thursday 5.30 pm and Friday 8.30 am, Shimla MeT Centre Director Manmohan Singh said.

Supply of essential commodities to areas beyond Dhalli was hit as roads were closed for traffic near Kufri, Narkanda, Khara Pathar and Khidki as they were slippery.

The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti’s administrative centre Keylong continued to be the coldest place in the state at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, the weatherman said.

Kufri recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius followed by Shimla 0.2 degrees Celsius, Dalhousie 1.7 degrees Celsius and Manali 4 degrees Celsius.

Machines have been deployed to clear the snow and the roads would be by functional by afternoon, said Shimla SP Omapati Jamwal. He advised commuters to drive safely.—with PTI

Anurag demanded that the Baglamukhi temple be taken over by the government. Earlier, the demand was also made from the stage by the former minister and senior leader Ravinder Ravi.

Anurag’s demand in the presence of the CM came as a surprise for many. The minister said he had learnt that Rs3.5 crore grant was being given from the Asian Development Bank to the temple that was in private hands. The temple was already very rich and there was no logic in giving grants for it till the temple was taken over by the government.

A large number of politicians from the country and VVIPs visit the temple. Tantrik puja is believed to provide immediate relief and victory over enemies. The temple is being managed by a trust. Many influential people, including some MLAs, their kin and those close to corridors of power, are on board of the trust.

The Cabinet today approved the Excise Policy for 2020-21, envisaging the revenue collection of Rs 1,840 crore, an increase of Rs 215 crore (13 per cent) over the current financial year (2019-20).

The Cabinet meeting, held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, gave nod to the renewal of retail excise vends in the state for the year 2020-21 with an objective of enhancement in government revenue, reduction in the price of liquor and to curb its smuggling from the neighbouring states.

The new policy also allows 30 per cent of the country liquor quota for the manufacturers/bottlers to be supplied to the retail licensees. The balance 70 per cent quota can be lifted by the retail licensees from the suppliers of their choice.

The new policy also envisages taking FDR/bank guarantee from the retail licensees as security in lieu of security in a shape of property in order to secure the revenue of the government.

All the imported liquor in the state will be supplied by public custom bonded ware house located in the state from the next financial year. In addition, the policy also extended operational timings of the bars in all star related hotels and bars in specified important tourist areas from 12 noon to 2 am past midnight.

The Cabinet also approved the HP Toll Policy for the 2020-21, giving option for renewal of their lease after paying renewal fee of one per cent for the year 2020-21 and an increase of 10 per cent over the bid amount for the year 2019-20. The new toll policy envisages revenue collection of Rs 106 crore during the next financial year, an increase of Rs. 9.5 crore (10 per cent) more than estimated revenue during 2019-20, giving an overall increase of about 10 per cent.

It also gave approval for capacity expansion of distillery from 45 KL per day to 85 KL per day in favour of M/s Premier Alcobev Private Ltd., Sansarpur Terrace in Kangra district. The decision would help earn additional excise revenue of Rs 18 to 20 crore per annum.

The Cabinet gave its approval to constitute a state high level committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, a state level coordination committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and District level Coordination Committees led by concerned Deputy Commissioners to celebrate the golden jubilee year of conferment of statehood to Himachal Pradesh and for celebrating golden jubilee of Statehood Day on January 25, 2021.

These committees would ensure that the golden jubilee year of statehood is celebrated in a befitting manner.

Other Cabinet decisions

n The Cabinet gave its nod to fill 23 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Labour and Employment Department on contract basis and continue the services of 173 Data Entry Operators in the department till the posts are filled through

HP Staff Selection Commission

• It decided to fill two posts of Assistant Professor in Tanda college in the Departments of General Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology and consented to revive/restore one post of Reader (Kayachikitsa Vibhag) in Rajiv Gandhi Government Postgraduate Ayurvedic College, Paprola in Kangra district
• The Cabinet also approved the HP (Legacy Cases Resolution) Scheme Rules, 2020, paving way for settlement of old pending VAT cases and VAT arrears.
• The Cabinet also approved the Himachal Pradesh Toll Policy for 2010-21

Source : The Tribune

Shimla Smart City Mission Ltd has sought the approval of the Citizens’ Advisory Council for the execution of the 28 projects worth Rs450 crore. These projects are being finalised for tendering by March 31, the deadline set by the National Smart City Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The council comprising public representatives including Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, MPs, MLAs, councillors, residents welfare associations and NGOs will give its feedback tomorrow on the projects.

The projects were approved by the Board of Directors (BoD) of the mission. “The council was constituted for the engagement of citizens of the city under the mission four years ago. We have got the feedback from the body,” said Nitin Garg, general manager (technical), smart city mission. He said of the 28 projects, DPRs for 14 projects were ready and there were others which did not require DPRs. The council would suggest on these projects, he added.

“The BoDs has approved these projects, including construction of three parking complexes, three escalators and one elevator, footbridges, smart pedestrian paths on the IGMC-Sanjauli and Cart Road and beautification of the ramshackle shops and buildings in the city,” said Pankaj Rai, managing director, smart city mission.

The mission has proposed to build three major smart parkings – a 1,000-vehicle parking complex near the IGMC’s new OPD block, a 500-vehicle parking at Vikasnagar, about 200-vehicle parking at the SDA complex, Kasumpati, said Garg.

Five escalators – Lift-Metropol-The Mall, Jakhu parking to temple top, Cart Road to The Mall, Auckland tunnel to the Police Chowki, Lakkar Bazaar, Tibetan Market to The Ridge – and one elevator from Lakkar Bazaar to Bantony Castle are proposed.

Pedestrians from Sanjauli to the IGMC and The Mall would also enjoy a smart walk on the proposed covered pathway, said Rai.

The mission had also proposed construction of footbridges.The Rs10-crore Dhalli tunnel will ease traffic congestion on the Sanjauli-Dhalli road, said official sources.

The expansion of the Gaggal airport in Kangra district has brought groups supporting and opposing the project face to face. Shopkeepers of Gaggal, who are likely to be affected by the airport expansion as their lands may be acquired, held a protest march in Gaggal today.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Association of Dharamsala came out in support of the airport expansion. The association members were recently snubbed by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for not supporting the government in its various endeavours.

President of the association Ashwani Bamba at a press conference here today said that the hoteliers of Dharamsala supported the government efforts for the expansion of the Gaggal airport that would give a flip to the tourism industry in the Kangra region. Vested interests, who are against the development of Kangra, were opposing the project, he added.

The shopkeepers and traders of Gaggal held a protest march demanding the expansion of the airport beyond the Manji river, as otherwise it would lead to their displacement.

Source : The Tribune

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said cabinet expansion in the state to fill vacant posts is likely before the budget session of the Assembly.

The session will begin from February 25 and Thakur will present his third state budget on March 6.

Addressing a press conference in Nurpur, the chief minister said the Assembly Speaker will be elected as well on February 26.

A new Speaker needs to be elected after Rajeev Bindal resigned from the post to become the president of the BJP state unit.

The expansion of the cabinet will be done to fill two ministerial berths, which have been lying vacant for several months.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today started his winter sojourn to Kangra from the Baijnath Assembly constituency.

While addressing a public rally, he said Bir-Billing would be developed as an adventure sports destination under the ADB funding and the ‘Nai Rahein Nai Manzilein’ scheme.

Thakur announced that a Jal Shakti division would be opened at Baijnath. He inaugurated and dedicated works worth about Rs 50 crore in the Baijnath Assembly constituency yesterday.

He said the state had witnessed unprecedented development during the last two years, which was possible due to the love and affection of the people. He said Congress leaders could not digest the massive mandate given by the people of the state to the BJP.

He said the people of Kangra district were fortunate as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the district twice in two years.

During the Investor’s Meet, the Prime Minister had even urged entrepreneurs to invest in the state while guaranteeing them the best environment for investment.

Thakur said the state government had launched the Him Care scheme to cover 22 lakh people who were not covered under Ayushmann Bharat.

He said to date, over 58,000 people had benefitted under the scheme and over Rs 58 crore had been spent under this scheme.

The Chief Minister said as many as 181 Jan Manch programmes had been organised across the state. More than 90 per cent of these complaints were redressed on the spot and the remaining complaints were forwarded to the departments concerned, he claimed.

He said the state government had provided an NOC to the Government of India for the upgrade of the Ayurvedic College, Paprola, to the level of AIIMS. He announced Rs 1.50 crore for an auditorium at the Paprola college and the opening of a police post at Bir.

Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Geriatric Care at Ayurvedic College, Paprola, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 8.38 crore.

Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said the Ayurvedic College, Paprola, was a gift from former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar and the present Chief Minister was ensuring it was upgraded to AIIMS of Ayurveda.