HP cabinet increases ex-gratia to accident victims and kin

Shimla, Aug 10 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today raised the ex-gratia grant of Rs 75,000 to Rs one lakh to next of the kin of the deceased in an accident.

It also raised the ex-gratia grant of Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 to persons with 40 to 70 per cent disability for loss of limb or eye, in addition to free supply of artifical limbs and Rs 50,000 for above 75 per cent disability in accidents occuring in the state.

A meeting presided over by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, also approved reduction in VAT on old/used cars from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent on all makes and sale of HPMC Sale Shop at Shimla to Horticulture Department.

The cabinet also granted permission to issue Letter of Intent for setting up of Private Universities in the State.

It approved restructuring of the Wild Life Wing of the State Forest Department and approved Spiti Forest Division as Spiti Wild Life Wing of the State and handing over of 5 wild life sanctuaries from territorial control to the Wild Life Wing.

It decided to declare 54 more buildings as heritage building falling outside the Heritage Zone in Shimla Planning Area, including Auckland House School, Tara Hall, YWCA, YMCA, Rothney Castle, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Sterling Castle, Hainault, Jakhoo Temple, Pari Mahal, Holly Lodge, DC Residence, Kamla Nehru Hospital, Bishop Cotton School, Sidhowal Lodge, Kalka Shimla Railway Line, Bemloe Cottages,Winter Field, St Edwards School, DC Office, Police Stations of Shimla Sadar and Chhota Shimla, Ellerslie Building and Thistle Bank among others.

UNI