HP Cabinet nod to medicinal tree plantation scheme

Shimla, June 27 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today gave its nod to 'Van Mahotsava Scheme-2008', which calls for extensive involvement and motivation of the local people to plant atleast one medicinal or other plant in their surroundings.

This scheme will be launched on Van Mahotsava day on August 3.

The plants would be made available to the people free of cost by the State Forest Department through various local agencies. The scheme aims to turn Himachal Pradesh into a herbal state and would help the people in finding home remedies to various common ailments, beside supplementing the income of the farmers.

The decision was taken in meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here.

The Cabinet also approved enhancement in the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for various grafted/seedling varieties of mango by Re 0.50 per kg for the current season. This would mean an increase in MIS from existing Rs 4.08 per kg to Rs 4.58 per kg for seedling varieties and from Rs 4.75 per kg to Rs 5.25 per kg. for the grafted varieties.

The procurement will be made through HPMC, HIMFED and HPAIC which will be eligible to charge Re 1.00 per kg as handling charges.

The Cabinet also sanctioned and approved filling up of 545 posts of different categories in various departments of the state government which includes, 494 posts of different categories for Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla and State Hospital for Mother and Child (KNH) Shimla; 36 posts of teaching and non-teaching categories to the newly upgraded Government Senior Secondary Schools; 25 posts of various categories in the Sainik Welfare Department.

The Cabinet decided to adopt the 'Himachal Pradesh Home Stay Scheme-2008' with a view to involve the entire state in tourism promotion activities. This is expected to give a boost to rural tourism by offering various incentives to the prospective entrepreneurs which include, no charges by Town and Country Planning Department for change of land use, exemption (upto 3 rooms) from Luxury and Sales Tax/VAT; electricity and water charges at domestic tariff in respect of registered home stay units.

MORE UNI XC HS BP1934