Cabinet enhances minimum price for citrus fruits

Shimla, Nov 3 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today decided to enhance the procurement price of citrus fruits under Market Intervention Scheme by Re 0.50 per kg for implementation between the period of this year November 20 and February 14 next year.

Due to increase in the price index and pressing demand of the growers, the state government has decided to procure 'Fair Average Quality' citrus fruits, Kinnow, Malta, Orange and Galgal at a rate of Rs 5.85 and Rs 5.25 per kg for B and C Grade fruits respectively, and Galgal at Rs 4.15 per kg from the growers.

HPMC and HIMFED would be the procurement agencies. Procurement would be made from the orchardists possessing Horticulture Card. No fruit will be procured from the contractors. As many as 52 Fruit Procurement Centres would be set up.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who presided over the Cabinet meeting agreed for setting up of Thermal Power Plant, preferably based on Biomass, in the state for captive use purposes.

The HP State Electricity Board shall be having the first right to purchase surplus power from such plants. It has also been decided to levy Environment Cess on such plants which shall be determined by the State Government separately.

In view of providing relief to the dependants of the state employees who have expired while in active government service and clear the pending cases of compassionate appointments in various departments and public sector undertakings, the Cabinet decided to reserve fivepercent Class III and IV posts in various departments under Direct Recruitment Quota for the compassionate appointments.

It also decided to amend the recruitment procedure and physical efficiency test for the recruitment of female constables in the Himachal Police, and further approved one time age relaxation to Home Guard Volunteers from 28 years to 33 years for filling up the backlog vacancies reserved for Home Guards of constable in the State Police.

The Cabinet sanctioned 240 posts of different categories in different departments and Public Sector Undertakings.

It approved implementation of the 'Group Superannuation Pension Scheme' for the employees of HIMUDA through Life Insurance Corporation of India, to be made effective from March 31, 2008.

UNI XC PS SY HT2140