SHIMLA: Chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the State Cabinet today decided to give MOUs for the Projects for 40 years under the new amended Energy Policy. It Withdrew royalty concessions given to the SJVN and NHPC in new projects.
The Cabinet expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost due to the severe monsoon rains, which caused massive devastation. The Revenue Department provided insights into the scale of damage incurred by public and private properties.
Amendment to Energy Policy: It amended the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy. Under the new terms, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for energy projects will span 40 years.
The royalty structure will transition through phases: 15% for the initial 12 years, 20% for the subsequent 18 years, and 30% for the final 10 years. After this, projects will revert to the State Government without encumbrances. Notably, extended royalty will not fall below 50%.
Royalty Relaxation Withdrawal:
The Cabinet promptly withdrew the royalty relaxation granted to SJVNL and NHPC for specific hydroelectric projects, including the 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, 66 MW Dhaulasidh, 382 MW Sunni Dam, and 500 MW Dugar Hydro Electric Projects.
Water Cess Tariff Rationalization:
Tariffs for water cess charged from Hydel Power Projects are set to be streamlined, following the Cabinet's decision.
Enhancements in Welfare Schemes:
Significant increases were announced in the financial assistance provided through the Himachal Pradesh Widow Remarriage Scheme, aiming to raise the assistance from Rs. 65 thousand to Rs. 2 lakh.
Support Price for Fruits Revised:
The Market Intervention Scheme will now offer higher support prices for apple, mango, citrus fruits, Kinnow, Malta, orange, galgal, and lemon. Notably, the support price for apple and mango has been raised to Rs. 12 per kg from Rs. 10.50.
Wage Rate Hike and Inclusion in Health Scheme:** Wage rates under MGNREGS will be improved, bringing relief to workers. Sanitary Workers are now included in the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ensuring access to health insurance.
Training and Employment Generation:
The Cabinet greenlit the selection and training of 874 candidates as patwaris and 16 chain-men over the next five years. Furthermore, three new Traffic cum Tourist Police Stations will be established in Bilaspur, Mandi, and Kullu districts to manage traffic and road safety.
Posts Creation and Regularization:
To strengthen the workforce, 48 new posts will be created for the recently set up Traffic cum Tourist Police Stations. Additionally, 35 Junior Office Assistant (IT) positions will be filled in the Rural Development Department.
Over 1205 Part-time water carriers in the Education Department with 11 years of service will have their roles regularized.
Forestry and Green Initiatives:
The Cabinet approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the extraction and disposal of salvage trees from forest lands, aiming to promote local timber availability and revenue growth.
The SOP for hiring e-taxis was endorsed, aligning with the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Yojna-2023 to provide 50% subsidies for e-taxi purchases, fostering eco-friendliness.
Renaming of Department: Labour and Employment Department was renamed as the Department of Labour Employment and Overseas Placement, emphasizing the focus on overseas opportunities.
These changes are set to come into effect progressively, with some starting as early as August 15, 2023, and others, such as the e-taxi initiative, launching on October 2, 2023.
