News
CM Inaugurates Auditorium and Library Hall of Seema College
The State Government was considering for the channelization of river Pabbar and the designs of the same have been prepared. The river will be channelized from Sandasu onwards towards Rohroo and work of channelization would be allotted to a reputed agency. This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after inaugurating the elegantly constructed auditorium and library hall of the Government Post Graduate Degree College (Seema), Rohroo, constructed at a cost of Rs.7.25 crore today
He said that the road from Dodra Kwar to Rohroo would be further improved to pave the way for boosting tourism activities, adding that Chanshal slopes were more suited to skiing and other adventure sports activities and once developed will provide direct and indirect employment to the youth of the area.
He expressed happiness over dedicating the new block of the college to the coming generations, the foundation stone of which was laid by him in year 2005.
He said that the location was quite suitable for the college as it was centrally located and the students from as far as Dodra Kwar could pursue higher studies here. He said the Colleges at Seema in Rohroo and Saawra at Saraswati Nagar were started simultaneously and the Seema College had excelled in pursuing academic and sports. He announced for construction of an additional block for office and staff room for Seema College behind the present principal’s office. It would also house class rooms in the same complex, and the staff residences would soon be completed.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for playing ground in the college. He said that the people should not quote higher rates for the land whose land falls within the purview of the Government developmental surveys. Few development works were being hindered because of land acquisition problems. He exhorted the people to co-operate in carrying out the development works and other such activities.
He said that there was need to check that no hindrances were created in development activities. As much as 25 Bigha of land will be acquired by the Government for constructing play ground for Seema college and the adequate compensation would be paid to those whose land would be acquired for the purpose. He appealed to the people to donate land voluntarily.
Referring to the agitation in HP University, he said that the studies were going on well in all the colleges of the State adding that no union or association would be allowed to become a sub-branch of student politics and elections should be held in a peaceful and decent manner.
The Chief Minister said, “if anybody promotes mischief and violence it will not be tolerated at any cost”. He stressed for holding elections to the Students Association through common consensus and in a harmonious manner.
“If anybody tries to lock the gates of the colleges or restrict the students from entering into the classes, he should be ready to face the consequences.” said he, repeating that he was there to listen to them and their genuine demands, but the indecent behavior won’t be tolerated.
“We have not enhanced the hostel fee or the tuition fee but there was a little hike in examination fee due to which furore was being created by few who want to keep themselves alive in politics. The fee issue was the matter of the University to see. He said that only examination fee was enhanced and that too was quite nominal.
To provide quality higher education to the children at their very doorsteps the Government has opened as many as 15 colleges in the State and that too in rural and far-flung areas during its present regime. Emphasis is being laid on educating girl child in far flung and rural areas, he said.
Local MLA, Sh Mohan Lal Bragta and Block Congress President Rohroo, Sh Ishwar Dass Choharu thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the auditorium complex to the students of the College and for the developments which had taken place during the regime of Congress party.
Earlier, Principal of the College Dr B.L. Vinta honoured the Chief Minister and other distinguished guests on the occasion. He also read the annual report of the college and said that this was the only college in the State where the studies were not disrupted due to recent agitations.
A colorful cultural programme was also organized on the occasion followed by Dance Drama.
The Chief Minister honoured the meritorious students both in academics and sports and also the staff and faculty of the college for dedicating themselves in teaching profession.
B. S. Thakur proposed vote of thanks.
District Congress President Shimla (Rural), Kehar Singh Khachi, Chairperson, State Child Welfare Council, Smt. Raj Kumari Soni, Member Women Commission Smt. Kiran Datta, General Secretary, Block Congress Committee and Member, Board of Directors, HP Marketing Board Vikram Sen Negi, Member , Board of Directors, HIMURJA Sanjay Singh, Ex- Pradhan Gram Panchayat Jangla, Pratap Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Dinesh Malhotra and other officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion amongst others
News
HP Govt Employees to Get Higher Pay Scale on Completion of Two Years of Service: CM Jairam
Shimla-Himachal Pradesh Government employees working in different departments before January 3, 2022, would be given a higher scale at par with other employees on completion of two years tenure of regular service. A higher pay scale was also announced for the Junior Office Assistants (IT) on completion of two years of regular service.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur made these announcements during the Karamchari Maha Sammelan of the Himachal Pradesh Non-Gazetted Employees Federation at the hotel Peterhof on Sunday.
He appreciated the role played by the employee especially frontline workers in the battle against the pandemic.
He said most of the government employees in the state have been given revised pay scales and on average, every employee has got the benefit of a 12 to 15 percent salary hike. There has also been an increase in the pension of about 1.50 lakh pensioners of the state. The financial benefits of Rs. 7801 crore have been given to state government employees and pensioners from the year 2018 to 2022. The pensioners who retired before 2016 are getting the benefit of a 15 to 20 percent increase in the pension while around 40 thousand pensioners who retired after 2016 would be benefitted soon, he said.
He said the daily wages were Rs. 210 in the year 2017 which has been increased by the present state government to Rs. 350. Similarly, 12 per cent interim relief annually has been provided to government employees and pensioners during the present government’s tenure. He said the Himachal government has provided Dearness Allowance to its employees and pensioners on the lines of Punjab and Central governments from the due date. The Punjab government has given only 5 percent interim relief to the employees while the Himachal government has provided 21 percent interim relief to its employees.
“Out of the total interim relief amount given to the employees and pensioners amounting to about Rs. 6500 crore, Rs. 3500 crore has been paid during the tenure of our government” added the Chief Minister.
He said that the state government has increased the government contribution for NPS employees from 10 percent to 14 percent benefitting more than one lakh employees. The NPS employees are being given the benefits of retirement and death gratuity at par with employees falling under the old pension scheme. The government has also increased the upper limit of death gratuity from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh.
The Chief Minister said the state government has also increased the honorarium of para-workers working in various departments. The salary of outsource workers has been hiked by Rs 1,500 per month.
Non-Gazetted Employees Federation President Ashwani Thakur thanked the Chief Minister for providing various financial and other benefits to different categories of government employees.
Nation
Most Covid Restrictions to be Lifted From March 31, Mask and Hand Hygiene to Continue
New Delhi-The Centre has issued a notification to the States informing that the provisions of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005 will not be invoked in the country after March 31. The Union Health Ministry said that the use of face masks and following hand hygiene will continue.
It implies that most of the Covid-related rules and restrictions would end.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued the notification which said that the decision was taken following the overall improvement in the situation and the preparedness of the government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, local authorities and State police can still invoke fines and criminal cases against persons violating COVID-19 norms under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a senior government official said.
The DM Act was invoked on March 24, 2020, due to the pandemic
“Over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of cases. The total caseload in the country stands at 23,913 only and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28%. It is also worth mentioning that with the combined efforts, a total of 181.56 Cr vaccine doses have been administered,” the notification said.
“I would like to mention that in view of the nature of the disease, we still need to remain watchful of the situation. Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the States/UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at a local level, as advised by MoHFW (Health Ministry) from time to time,” the notification said.
The Indian government had issued various guidelines and measures for the first time on March 24, 2020, under the Disaster Management Act to curb the COVID-19 situation in the country, which have been modified several times thereafter.
India currently has 23,087 active COVID-19 cases and recorded 1,778 new cases and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours. The daily positivity rate has also declined to 0.28%.
News
HP Cabinet Decisions: Country Liquor Made Cheaper in New Excise Policy, Read All Decisions
Shimla-A meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet was held on March 20, 2022, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
The excise policy for the financial year 2022-23 was approved. Approval was also given for the renewal of retail excise vends in the state for the financial year 2022-23 at the renewal fees of 4% of the value of unit/vend.
The State Government said that wants to enhance the government revenue and curb the smuggling of country liquor from the neighbouring states by a reduction in its price.
The brands of Country Liquor will be cheaper as license fees have been reduced. This will help in providing good quality liquor at a cheaper rate to the consumers.
In the new excise policy, the 15% fixed quota of country liquor for manufacturers and bottlers to be supplied to the retail licensees has been abolished. According to the government, this step will give the retail licensees to lift their quota from the suppliers of their choice and further assure the supply of good quality country liquor at competitive prices. The MRP of country liquor will be cheaper by 16% of the existing price.
In this year’s policy, the Gaudhan Vikas Nidhi Fund has been enhanced by Re.1/- from the existing Rs.1.50 to Rs.2.50.
The fixed annual license fee of Bars has been rationalized by abolishing the area-specific slabs of license fee. Now throughout the State, there will be uniform license slabs based upon the room capacity in hotels.
Rates of the annual fixed license fee of Bars in the tribal areas has been reduced considerably.
Further, all the above stakeholders will have to install CCTV cameras at their establishments as it was made mandatory for them.
Wholesale vends and retail vends, the penalty provisions under the H.P. Excise Act, 2011 have been made more stringent.
An end to end online Excise Administration System would be established in Himachal Pradesh, the government said.
HP Government estimates a collection of Rs 2131 crore revenue during the year, which will be Rs. 264 crores higher than the financial year 2021-22 – growth of 14% in state excise revenues.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to amend Himachal Pradesh Disaster Relief Manual-2012 to include deaths due to biting of honey bees, hornet and wasps, accidental drowning and deaths due to accidents of vehicles (including land, water and air) under this Manual.
The Cabinet gave its approval for filling up 11 posts of ‘A’ Class Tehsildar in Revenue Department through direct recruitment on regular basis through Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
HP State Toll Policy 2022-23
The HP Cabinet also gave its nod to HP State Toll Policy for the year 2022-23 which envisages auction cum tender for all the toll barriers in the State. During the year 2021-22, toll revenue has registered a growth of 20 percent of the previous year’s revenue.