M A I N   N E W S

Report on power MoUs goes to Cabinet panel
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 26
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today decided to refer the report of a high-powered committee, which reviewed the memorandums of understanding (MoUs), power purchase agreement and implementation agreements, signed by the state electricity board and the Himurja with private companies, for the execution of hydel projects to its sub committee to recommend further action to be taken on the findings of the committee.

The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Mr Virbhadra Singh, today discussed the committee report and decided to set up a sub committee to consider the points raised in respect of each project and recommend action accordingly. The committee headed by the Chief Secretary, Ms Rajender Bhattacharya, had carried out the review exercise to ascertain whether or not due procedure was followed and the agreements were signed in a transparent manner. Besides, the terms and conditions were examined threadbare to find out if the interests of the state, particularly in respect of employment, were protected. The Cabinet sub-committee will submit its report within 15 days.

It also approved a proposal to convert the district cadre to state cadre for several categories of employees, including pharmacists, staff nurses, women and men health workers, technicians, laboratory assistants, village extension officers, and supervisors, integrated child development scheme, to revert to the position prevailing prior to June 30, 2000.

The Cabinet approved the proposal for the upgradation of three posts of Deputy Director, prosecution, and three posts of district attorneys to the level of the joint director. As per another decision the Assistant District Attorneys were granted Class-I status.

It also gave nod for amending the relevant sections of the State Protections rules, 1988, which aim at bringing the president of the state Consumers Redressal Commission equivalent to a sitting judge of the High Court in respect of salary, allowances and perquisites.

The selection criterion for primary assistant teachers to be recruited through the Panchayati Raj institutions so as to ensure proportional representation to all categories.

It also cleared a proposal for creation of 40 posts of different categories of teaching and non-teaching staff for Government Senior Secondary Schools at Dharwas and Sechu and Government middle Schools at Shoon and Hillaur in Chamba.

The Cabinet placed on record the services of Ms Rajender Bhatacharya, Chief Secretary, who is retiring on September 30.