HP Cabinet decides to merge two power corporations with HPFC

Shimla, July 28 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today approved the merger of Kinnar Kailash Power Corporation and Pabbar Valley Power Corporation with Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPFC) and regularised the services of 1,637 daily wage workers of the Forest Department, official sources said.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, decided to merge the two corporations, set up by HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB), with the HPFC and sanctioned 38 posts of different categories.

The sources said it regularised the services of 1,637 daily wagers of the Forest Department by creating equal number of Class four posts and 1,030 daily wagers of HP State Forest Corporation and absorb them in government departments against vacant posts of equivalent nature.

In an effort to appease the electorate just before the assembly elections, the Cabinet also approved reduction in the prices of essential commodities.

The above poverty line (APL) families would get rice at Rs nine per kg, instead of Rs 9.40 to Rs. 10.55 per kg, and wheat flour at Rs eight per kg instead of Rs 8.65 per kg, the sources said.

The Cabinet also decided to implement the 85th Amendment of the Constitution with retrospective effect from June 17, 1995, without the concept of creamy layer following which there would be no reversions in any category.

The meeting decided to launch a scheme for giving incentives in the shape of grant-in-aid to the best performing panchayats for construction of Rian Water Harvesting structures.

As expected, the Cabinet approved the introduction of the pension scheme for the HP State Civil Supplies Corporation out of Employees Superannuation Fund and Contributory Pension Fund, Rule, 2006.

It approved amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1999, to delegate powers to Secretaries of Regional Transport Authorities for discharging functions of routine nature.

The Cabinet approved creation and filling up of 1,787 posts of teaching and non-teaching staff for the newly-opened and upgraded 235 middle, high and 18 senior secondary schools, 1,311 posts of teaching and non teaching categories in the government degree colleges.

The Cabinet also approved amendment in the Town and Country Planning Rules by amending the Interim Development Plans with regard to regulation of the development of apartments in various Planning, Special Areas in the state.

UNI