Shimla, Oct 11 : The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved the implementation of the ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme by the Forest Department. The scheme aims to engage one ‘Van Mitra’ in each of the 2061 Forest Beats to enhance local community participation in the protection, conservation, and development of forest areas through grassroots-level institutions.
In addition to the ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme, the Cabinet also gave the green signal to fill 100 vacant posts of Forest Guards on a contractual basis. Further, it endorsed the increase in honorarium for Jal Rakshaks, Multi-Purpose Workers, para fitters, and para pump operators of Jal Shakti Vibhag by Rs. 500 per month, setting it at Rs. 5000, Rs. 4400, Rs. 6000, and Rs. 6000, respectively.
The Cabinet’s decisions extended to various sectors, including transportation. It granted in-principle approval for establishing a passenger ropeway system from Chintpurni Baba Mai Dass Bhawan Parking to Chintpurni Temple in PPP mode in Una district, facilitating pilgrims with an estimated cost of Rs. 76.50 crore. Additionally, 15 e-taxis in the Transport Department were given the nod.
Promoting alternative communication during emergencies, the Cabinet approved the promotion of Amateur and Community Radios in all districts of the state. This initiative aims to facilitate effective information exchange between information sources, emergency managers, and those affected by disasters or emergent situations.
In other economic decisions, the Cabinet reduced the Additional Goods Tax on lead by 25 paise per kg. It also approved granting 234 routes for private operators and an additional 100 routes for tempo travelers to enhance transport facilities for the people of the state.
Furthermore, the Cabinet declared Traffic Inspectors, Motor Vehicles Inspectors, Senior Motor Vehicle Inspectors of the Transport Department, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors and Head Constables of the Police Department as designated authorities to compound offenses under various sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.”
