Dehradun:-The Cabinet on Tuesday approved several decisions taken by the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna during departmental review meeting. Several other decisions were also taken on the issues pertaining to public interest.
Significant enhancement had been made in the honorarium paid to the doctors and dentists. As per the decision, the honorarium of general doctors had been increased to Rs. 48,000 for easily accessible places, Rs. 52,000 for Diploma holders and Rs. 55,000 for PG Specialists. For doctors serving in difficult places, honorarium has been increased to Rs. 52,000 for general doctors, Rs. 56,000 for diploma holders and Rs. 59,000 for PG Specialists. For very difficult places, general doctors would now get Rs. 56, 000, diploma holders would get Rs. 60,000 and PG Specialists, Rs. 63,000. The contract period for doctors has been increased to three years from existing one year Now the contract would be renewed on Ministerial level every year, while, Cabinet approval has to be taken every three year.
The age limit for general category in government service has been increased to 40 years from existing 35 years. The age relaxation would be given to other categories as per the earlier norms. The PPP Policy in the State was passed in 2012 and an Empowered Group of Ministers has been constituted to be chaired by the Chief Minister which could sanction the proposal upto the limit of Rs. 250 crore. Besides CM, Finance Minister, Planning Minister, Urban Development Minister, PWD Minister, other ministers nominated by the CM and respective departmental ministers would be its Members. In addition, an Empowered Committee has also been constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary which would conduct preliminary review of the proposals. Any proposal exceeding Rs. 250 would be approved by the Cabinet.
Amendment has been made Uttarakhand Government preliminary Education Service Rules according to which now the recruitment of assistant teachers in primary school would be done on the basis of Block Cadre. After promotion their respective district would be their main cadre.
The Cabinet also approved the proposals of Tanakpur-Pyrnagiri and Jankipatti-Yamunotri Ropeways, while, to promote River Rafting, the Beach Camping Policy too was given a nod. The allocation period would be five years. The allocation within one hectare would be given only to the local residents, while allocation beyond it would be given on the basis of tenders. The currently engaged firm would have first right of refusal.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Affiliation University would be rechristened Sridev Suman Affiliation University.
Three amendments had been made in Van Panchayat Regulation including 50 percent reservation for women in Sarpanch post, priority to water and soil conservation and power to District Magistrate to extend the tenure of Van Panchayats for three months.
The cabinet endorsed recommendations made by National Sugar Federation to close down Gadarpur Sugar Mill. The workers employed in this Sugar Mills would be reinstated in other mills or given option of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) on better conditions. The land of Gadarpur Sugar Mill would be transferred to SIDCUL and the amount received in lieu of land would be utilized to pay the dues of farmers. As 90 percent of Sugarcane farming field had finished it was not viable to run the Mill further. Decision was also taken to run Doiwala, Sitarganj, Nadehi and Kichchha sugar mills in PPP mode for long period.
Names of five Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Navodaya Vidyalaya at Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Udham Singh Nagar and Bageshwar would be reverted to Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya. These schools would be run on PPP mode and 50 percent of students would comprise of those selected by the State Government. These students would be given free education.
The contract period of super specialist doctors has been renewed for three years on completion of their present contract period.
The Cabinet also approved Uttarakhand Flood Plain Zoning Bill 2012. Through this Bill the construction works in flood prone areas would be restricted as per the guidelines of Government of India.
The Cabinet also approved in-principal the joint multi-purpose Pancheshwar project of India and Nepal. As some areas of Pithoragarh were included in this 2800 MW project, the State Government has expressed its consent in the project to be constructed in Mahakali River.
Making amendment in Section 39 of Procurement Rules, the limit of works carried out on the basis of Work Order has been increased to Rs. 3 lakh from existing Rs. 2 lakh.
The 13.5 percent VAT imposed on Rubber Process Oil has been reduced to 5 percent.
The Hindu Marriage Registration fee has been increased to Rs. 100 from Rs. 4. It may be noted that no increment was made in it since 1973.
Making improvement in Uttarakhand motor Vehicle Taxation Reform Bill, the diversity in vehicle tax has been scrapped. The Tax on vehicles used in plying students would also be reduced.
Uttarakhand Transport and Civic Infrastructure Cess Bill has been passed to levy sub-cess on vehicle with registration of other states entering the State. Now Rs. 40 to 60 would be charged from public vehicles and Rs 20 to 60 from private vehicles.
Uttarakhand Motor Vehicle Taxation Reform Rules has been made for E-payment in Transport Department.
Nod has also been given to Uttarakhand State Consumer Commission.
Externally aided Integrated Livelihood Support Project (IFED sponsored) has been extended till 2018-19 from 2012 in which total investment limit would be Rs. 793 crore. The working area of this project run for skill development of local unemployed youths has been extended to 30 development blocks from 17.
The approval has been given for Uttarakhand Departmental Promotion Committee for posts outside Public Service Commission. The Committee would comprise of Departmental Head/Appointment Officer as its Head, Additional Departmental Head as its Member and two nominated gazette officers as other Members.
Amendment has been made in the direct recruitment process for Group C. Now the applicants would have to appear only in general knowledge test for short-listing for interview.
The Cabinet took several decisions for the welfare of journalists. The experience required to obtain affiliation for Working Journalists has been reduced to 5 years from 10 years. The outright grace amount has been increased to Rs. 2 lakh from existing Rs. 50,000. Now there would be separate provisions for medical, health and reimbursement.