IPH Minister directs to restore water supply schemes at the earliest

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes said that State Government was making all out efforts to restore the water supply and irrigation schemes which were damaged due to heavy rains throughout the State. She said that 4156 schemes were affected which caused a loss of Rs. 172.22 crore.

Smt. Stokes was presiding over the review meeting of Irrigation and Public Health Department here today.

She said that water supply and irrigation schemes of Shimla,  Mandi, Kangra, Solan and Chamba districts  were highly affected due to heavy downpour   during current monsoon season in the State. She said that 21 urban water supply schemes amounting about Rs. 8.59 crore were affected whereas 3130 rural water supply schemes amounting Rs. 102.36 crore were damaged. She said that 958 irrigation schemes were also affected which caused a loss of Rs. 47.84 crore. She said that 20 schemes of flood control works were also affected which caused loss of Rs. 3.34 crore. She said that it also affected the sewerage schemes and as per the reports 27 were affected which caused a loss of Rs. 10.09 crore.

Smt. Stokes said that the most of the schemes were repaired and she appreciated the efforts of the department for ensuring the smooth working of most of the schemes immediately. She directed the officials of the department to repair rest of the affected schemes at the earliest so that people could not face any difficulties in getting safe and adequate drinking water. She also directed the field functionaries to send report daily to the headquarter about the status of the schemes so that appropriate action could also be taken from the State headquarter.

Additional Chief Secretary Shri P.C. Dhiman briefed about the steps taken by the department for restoration of the damaged drinking water supply and irrigation schemes in the State. He assured the Minister that all schemes would be made functional at the earliest.

Senior officers of the department and Municipal Corporation Shimla also attended the meeting.

Vidya Stocks

Daughter of late Rai Sahib Amin Chand; born on 8th December, 1927 at Kotgarh, Distt. Shimla; Under Graduate; educated at Delhi University; Married to late Shri Lal Chand Stokes ( Member of Himachal Pradesh Vidha Sabha); Horticulturist and Social Worker.

• Remained Member, National Horticulture Board,
• Governing Council of National Cooperative Union of India;
• President, State Co-operative Union (four years);
• Chairperson, H.P.M.C. Ltd. Nov. 1980 to 14 Nov. 1984;
• Board of Directors, SBI from 1972 to 1973,
• Board of Directors, Air India and Indian Airlines, 1994-97;
• Elected Vice President, (twice) Agriculture Committee of International Farmers Agriculture Producers (IFAP);
• Vice President, National farmers Forum (15years).

• Remained Administrator Asian Games,1972;
• Chairperson, Asian Hockey Disciplinary Committee;
• President, Indian Women's Hockey Federation in 1984- 1988, 1988-1994,1994-98 and 1998 -2009 ;
• Vice-President, Asian Hockey Federation, 1986-90 and 1990-94;
• Chairperson, Task Force Committee;
• Member, Technical Committee of Federation of International Hockey; was Pioneer of the merger of men and women Hockey in India in 2010 and presently life Patron of Hockey India.

• Elected to the State Assembly in 1974 (by-election);
• Re-elected in 1982, 1985, 1990 and 1998 from Theog and in 2003 and 2007 from the adjoining Kumarsain constituency as Congress Candidate.
• Remained Minister of State for Rural Development (Independent Charge) 1984-85;
• Speaker, State Legislative Assembly, 1985-90;
• Leader of the Congress Legislature Group, 1990-92;
• Minister for MPP & Power, March 6, 2003 to December 28, 2007;
• Leader of Opposition in the House from 22.1.2008 to December, 2012.

Elected again to the State Legislative Assembly for the eighth time in 2012 and inducted into Council of Ministers as Irrigation & Public Health Minister with additional charge of Horticulture, Information Technology.

• Special Interest : Upliftment of women, strengthening Mahila Mandals and child care.
• Languages Known : Hindi & English
• Travels Abroad : Travelled extensively all over the world.
• Favourite Pastime : Gardening, reading and painting.
• Awards: Recipient of Indira Gandhi National Leaders Award 2003, Distinguished Fellow of Institute of Directors Award , 2005 and Honorary Fellowship of the Horticulturist Society of India in 2007 for significant contribution in the field of horticulture.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Decisions

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh decided to frame a special policy for regularization of encroachments by the oustees in the New Bilaspur Township in the public interest. The maximum extent of land which may be regularized shall be upto 150 sqm only and same shall be on free hold basis. 

The Cabinet decided to revise and enhance the norms of relief under Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management and Relief Manual 2012. This will enhance the relief assistance provided to the disaster affected persons in the State.

The Cabinet gave its approval to upgrade the Nagar Panchayat Santokhgarh, Dehra, Jawalamukhi and Sujanpur as Municipal Council and upgrade their posts of Secretaries as Executive Officers.

It decided to move the case for FCA clearance of land to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (GoI) for the establishment of Central University in the State as per recommendation of the Site Selection Committee. 

The Site Selection Committee has recommended to develop both the campuses one at Dharamshala and other at Dehra in a phased manner. About 160 hectares of land at Dharamshala has been recommended for immediate development of the main campus of the University while 80 hectares at Dehra may be taken up in second phase.

The Cabinet gave its nod to upgrade Civil Hospital Nerva and Chopal in district Shimla to 50 bedded each with required staff.

It gave its approval to create 15 posts of various categories required for Police Station Sunni which was recently upgraded from Police Post Sunni to full-fledged Police Station in Shimla district. 

It approved to shift HPPWD Division No. II Shimla and HPPWD Sub Division Jutogh to Dhami.

The Cabinet approved the proposal of High Court of Himachal Pradesh for enhancement of pecuniary jurisdictions of all subordinate Courts in Himachal Pradesh by amending Himachal Pradesh Courts Act, 1976. This will enable citizens to take up their cases at the district level Courts. 

The Cabinet gave its permission to lease out Government land measuring 1540.37 sqm. comprised in Khasra No. 1380/645 and 1381/645 in Mohal Khaliar, Tehsil Sadar, District Mandi to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan on token lease money of Rs. one per annum for 99 years in relaxation of rules. 

The Cabinet gave its nod to open a Tehsil Welfare Office at Haroli in district Una.

It approved construction of Irrigation and Public Health Department Rest House (Inspection Hut) at Sidhwari in district Kangra. 

The Cabinet also approved for the publication of amendments in Himachal Pradesh Forest (Timber Distribution to the Right Holders) Rules, 2010 in H.P. Rajpatra for inviting objections/suggestions from the general public. 

It approved to transfer back the control of 842.68 hectares of forests of Shimla Urban area from Municipal Corporation Shimla to Forest Department for its proper management.

The Cabinet approved to bring all statutory towns notified or likely to be notified under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994 and Urban Growth Centres under the ambit of Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977 to meet the directives of the Government of India and fulfill the conditionalities of mandatory reforms of JNNURM for ensuring funding under said Centrally Sponsored Programme. 

The Cabinet decided to fill up 100 posts of Punjabi and 100 posts of Urdu language Teachers on contract basis. 

It was decided to fill up two posts of Station Fire Officer, four posts of Sub Fire Officer alongwith 30 posts of Firemen through recruitment of trained Firemen on contract basis. 

The Cabinet decided to fill up 15 posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in Irrigation and Public Health Department through direct recruitment on contract basis. 

It also approved to engage a Consultant for designing and setting up of Emergency Operation Centre at the State level and 12 Districts Emergency Operations Centres in each district headquarter in the Revenue department for Disaster Management. 

The Cabinet approved to fill up 19 vacant posts of Inspector, Grade-I in Food and Civil Supplies Department through direct recruitment on contract basis. 

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister called on Prime Minister

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh called on Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi

Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Centre Government would immediately release the adequate funds from National Disaster Response Fund to Himachal Pradesh for undertaking relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in flood affected areas of the State.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh called on Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at 7 Race Course, New Delhi and requested him to provide financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund for relief and rehabilitation works in flood affected areas of the State.

Mrs. Ambika Soni, General Secretary All India Congress Committee also accompanied the delegation.

Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh told the Prime Minister that State had suffered massive losses due to heavy rainfall and requested the Central assistance under NDRF and Prime Ministers Relief Fund. He told that first installment of SDRF amounting to Rs. 68.12 crore was released by the Central Government in July 2013 and State Government had released its share of Rs. 15.14 crore. He said that total 129.24 crores had been released to various departments and district administration for providing immediate relief to the affected areas. He told that the State as whole experienced heavy rainfall which was 576% to 1358% above the normal rainfall during the 15-17 June 2013 and Kinnaur and Sirmour district were the worst affected. He told that total 69 human lives had been lost and 2427 animals have perished in the flash floods. He told that 11157 houses, 4519 roads, 2763 water supply schemes had been badly damaged in the flash floods.

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh requested the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to restore the industrial package of the State till the year 2020 to remove regional disparity in the field of industrial development and create employment avenues to youths in the State. He told that Special Package to the industries was introduced in the year 2003 for the period of 10 years till March 2013. However the incentive of central excise duty was withdrawn in March 2010 and income tax incentive was withdrawn in March 2012. He told that the these incentives to Special Category States were not adversely affecting the industrial development of bigger States and told that about 16500 units in small, medium and large scale sector with the proposed investment of Rs. 48,830 crore having employment potential of 5,42,580 persons was approved between 6th January 2003 to 31st March 2013. However out of these approved units only 9,353 units with investment of Rs. 14,557 crore having employment potential of 1, 20,602 persons were actually set up in the State. He said that State Government had made massive investment to improve infrastructural facilities in industrial areas to facilitate the industrial investment.

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh requested the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to release the full amount of Rs. 2,100 crore Special Plan Assistance to the State for financing the Annual Plan of Rs. 4,100 crore to speed up the pace of the development in the State. He requested SPA/SCA of Rs. 2,100 crore for the annual plan 2013-14 as the State had suffered huge loss due to adverse recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission. He said that Himachal Pradesh had got only 50 percent increase in the total devolution of funds by 13th Finance Commission over 12th Finance Commission in comparison to 126 percent increase to all other States and the State was deprived of additional transfer of Rs.10,725 crore during the award period of 13th Finance Commission between the year 2010-15 and requested to provide SPA/SCA to fund the State plans to compensate the State. Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh requested the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to provide uniform funding in the ratio of 90:10 in Centrally Sponsored Schemes for all Special Category States. He told that at present the funding under Sarv Shisha Abhiyan (65%), Mid Day Meal Scheme (75%), Indira Awas Yojna, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (75%), Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna(75%), Nutrition Component of ICDS (50%) and the Ambulance Service Under NHM (20%) is less for the Himachal Pradesh compared to other Special Category States in North East. He requested that funding pattern for all Special Category States should be exactly at par with North Eastern States and requested to issue guidelines to all Central Ministries to modify the guidelines for the existing schemes and adopt uniform norms for all Special Category States. Dr. Manmohan Singh sympathised with the flood victims of the State and said that the State had badly suffered in recent flash floods and assured all possible central assistance. He appreciated the relief and rehabilitation works done by State Government in restoring the normalcy in the flood affected areas.

Dr. Manmohan Singh assured the delegation that all the demands of the State Government like extension of Industrial Package, Special Plan Assistance, strengthening of Rail Network will be positively considered by the Central Government in time bound manner to increase the pace of the development in the region and fulfill the aspirations of the people from present Congress Government.

The delegation comprised of Smt. Vidya Stokes, Irrigation & Public Health and Horticulture Minister, Shri Kaul Singh Thakur Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri G.S. Bali, Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Agriculture Minister, Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Forest and Fisheries Minister, Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Industries and Information & Public Relations Minister, Shri Sudhir Sharma, Urban Development Minister, Shri Prakash Chaudhary, Excise & Taxation Minister, Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Social Justice & Empowerment Minister, Shri Anil Sharma, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, President, Shri Sukhvinder Singh Thakur and Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary Finance.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet decisions

Cabinet meeting at Shimla

Himachal Pradesh cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh approved the draft of Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013. It will be notified in the official gazette for inviting objections and suggestions of general public. 

As per the draft policy, government land will be provided on lease basis only when no alternate private land was available. Provision has been made to lease out the government land for self-employment to Ex-servicemen, War Widows and BPL families. It has also been proposed to lease out government land for construction of residential house by landless Himachalis or for the rehabilitation for sufferers of natural calamities. 

It has been proposed that the encroached government land will not be leased to the encroacher but it could be leased out to any eligible person or institutions after ejecting the encroacher. The maximum area required for a specific purpose will be certified by the department concerned under which the activity for which lease of government land is sought, falls. Such maximum area will be subject to provisions of H.P Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972. 

Each department will have to fix their norms to ascertain the eligibility of lessee to undertake the proposed activity, the necessity of activity and the extent of area required for the purpose. Before granting government land on lease basis, no objections of estate right holders will be obtained and the state government will have the power to grant lease for a period as it deems fit. 

Under the policy, it has been proposed to calculate the lease amount per annum @ 10 percent of the current circle rates notified by the Collector of the district. However, in case of hydro-electric projects which are exclusively reserved for bonafide Himachalies, lease money will be charged @ 5 percent. Further, it has been proposed that after every five years, lease amount will be increased by 5 percent of the existing lease amount. 

The State government will have the powers to reduce the lease amount in the cases of persons affected by natural calamities and have lost their agricultural land and dwelling, landless/houseless persons, Ex-service man, war widow, B.P.L families and differentially abled persons. Instead of earlier provisions to sub lease, it has been proposed that the lessee may get into agreement to manage, operate and maintain the leased property. There will be restriction on lessee to utilize the land within a period of three years countable from the date of registration of lease deed.

The cabinet decided to upgrade Sub-Tehsil Kotli in Mandi district to Tehsil. An announcement to this respect was made by the Chief Minister during the State Level Independence Day function.

It also gave approval to open Tehsil at Ner Chowk in Mandi district which will have Three Kanungo Circles at Balh, Pairi and Rewalsar and 27 Patwar Circles benefiting 104420 people. 

Cabinet gave its nod to enhance the honorarium of freedom fighters from Rs. 7500 to Rs. 10,000 per month from 1st September, 2013 onwards. An announcement in this regard was made by the Chief Minister during Independence Day Function.

It decided to upgrade Sunni Police Post in Shimla district to a full-fledged Police Station and the required posts will be transferred from Battalions. 

Cabinet approved that all contract/regular teachers who have replaced PTA provided teachers at initial or at subsequent stage shall be posted against vacant posts available in condonation of short stay enabling joining of PTA provided teachers.

It was decided to amend the educational qualification for recruitment of Anganwari helpers. Now, the educational qualification will be Primary instead of Middle level in case of non-availability of applicant with Middle in feeder area. 

The cabinet decided that Himachal Pradesh Industrial Development Bank (HPIDB) will make equity contribution of Rs. 350 crore in H.P Power Corporation Limited for Shongtong-Karcham (450 MW), Sainj (100 MW), Sawara Kuddu (111 MW) and Kashang (234 MW) hydro electric projects during the year 2013-14. 

Approval was accorded for grant of special extension for a period of 10 months by levying an extension fee @ Rs. 20,000 per MW per month in favour of developer M/S Venture Energies Technologies Ltd for obtaining clearances and start construction work of Sai Kothi (15 MW) HEP. 

The Cabinet also approved to grant ex-post facto extension for a period of five months with an extension fee @ Rs. 20,000 per MW per month to Seltu Masarang (24 MW) HEP. 

It gave approval to initiate action for damages/penalty against M/S Brakel Corporation NV in the implementation of Jangi-Thopan-Powari (960MW) Hydro Project. 

Cabinet decided to cancel the construction of Palchan-Rohtang ropeway project in Kullu district. 

It decided to assign the subject of coffee cultivation and development to Agriculture department.

It was decided to include LPG connection number, electricity connection number and employment exchange registration number in Biometric Enrolment Form of National Population Register (NPR). 

Cabinet decided to transfer the subject relating to creation/up-gradation of Sub-Tehsils and Tehsils from GAD to Revenue department. 

It decided to upgrade 5 posts of Superintendent Grade-II in the pay scale of Rs. 10300-34800+4200 grade pay in Forest department. 

It was decided to give one time exemption to fill up vacant posts of Class-III in the office of Advocate General, H.P out of the purview of H.P Subordinate Services Selection Board in order to avoid unnecessary delay. 

Cabinet also granted approval for creation of 6 posts for the Litigation Cell at New Delhi. 

It also granted approval to purchase a Multimedia Van for the department of Information & Public Relations for publicity purpose in every nook and corner of the State. 

Approval was given to filling up of 20 posts of Assistant District Attorneys on contract basis through direct recruitment, in the department of Prosecution. 

Permission was accorded to fill 12 posts of clerks on contract basis through H.P Subordinate Services Selection Board, Hamirpur in Labour and Employment department.

It decided to fill up three vacant posts of clerks on contract basis in Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute, Manali. 

Cabinet approved conversion of 19 posts of Junior contract Coaches, Class-III in the pay scale of 10300-34800+3600 (grade pay) and two posts each of cook and helper (of the cook), ground man and watch man, Class-IV in the pay scale of 4900-10680+1300 (grader pay) on regular posts in Youth Services and Sports department.

The approval was granted to create two posts of clerks and two posts of peon for Sub-Divisional Election Offices of Bangana in Una district and Sangrah in Sirmaur district.

Courtesy: http://himachalpr.gov.in/pressreleaseEng.asp?id=9756

Virbhadra Singh welcomed Ambika Soni

Shri Virbhadra Singh welcomed the AICC General Secretary and Incharge of Himachal Pradesh Congress Party Smt. Ambika Soni. He said that this was the second time when She was appointed incharge of the State and hoped that all party workers would benefit by her vast experience and guidance as she had rich knowledge of whole Himachal Pradesh. He also welcomed Secretary, AICC and Co-Incharge Smt. Geetashree Oraon. 

Chief Minister honoured them by presenting Himachali caps and shawls. 

AICC General Secretary and Incharge of Himachal Pradesh Congress Party Smt. Ambika Soni urged the partymen to fan out in the fields to tell common man about the benefits of the NFSO and dispel the false propaganda of the Opposition. She said that UPA Government under the guidance of UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan had launched various welfare schemes for the benefit of the people of the country especially vulnerable sections of the society. She said that MNREGA, RTE, RTI and now NFSO were started by the UPA Government to empower the common-man. 

Smt. Soni said that Himachal Pradesh was making rapid strides in development under the able leadership of Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh who had become Chief Minister of the State for sixth time. She said that Congress Party was committed towards upkeeping the high principles of democratic set up. She exhorted the congress workers to work unitedly for ensuring victory of all four Congress candidates from Himachal Pradesh in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. 

AICC Secretary and Co-incharge of Himachal Congress Party Smt. Geetashree Oraon lauded the Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh for starting subsidized ration scheme in the State during its previous tenure. She said that Congress Party had always safeguarded the interests of the people especially poor and down trodden. She urged the party workers to apprise the people about flagship programmes of the UPA Government at grass root level. 

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Shri Sukhvinder Singh Thakur said that under the dynamic leadership of AICC President Smt. Sonia Gandhi all the Congress leaders and workers of the State would strive hard to realize the vision and dreams of Smt. Sonia Gandhi to make India strong, united and growing in all fields and maintaining the dignity of all religions. He said that Pradesh Congress would immensely benefit from the rich experiences of Smt. Ambika Soni and Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh and other senior leaders. He said that all decisions and programmes of Congress party would be implemented in letter and spirit in the State. 

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes, Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, MLA Shri Kuldeep Kumar, General Secretary HPCC Shri Harwardhan Chauhan, Chairman, State level Planning Development and 20 Point Programme Committee Shri Ram Lal Thakur, Chairman, Pollution Control Board Shri Kuldeep Singh Pathania, District and Block Congress Presidents also spoke on the occasion. 

Council of Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, MLAs, former MLAs, District and Block Congress Presidents, Presidents of all frontal organizations of Congress Party, members and office bearers of the party were present on the occasion.