SHIMLA: Reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the state, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday decided that schools would remain closed for students till further orders and online study would continue as usual while the first year and second year students of undergraduate (UG) courses would be promoted to next higher class. The cabinet decided that new and renewal admissions would start in colleges in the last week of July and new academic year for UG classes would commence from August 16.
The cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur was held in Shimla wherein a decision was taken to recommend the governor to convene the monsoon session of the assembly from August 2 to 13. It also decided that in order to implement the new education policy, question papers for Classes III, V and VIII will be set by HP Board of School Education and their marking and results would be declared at cluster, block and district-level, respectively.
The cabinet granted six weeks exemption in school internship in respect of diploma in elementary education for batch 2018-2020. It decided to increase the limit of gathering in all social/academic/ entertainment/cultural/political and other congregations including marriage celebrations and functions would be permitted with 50% with maximum of 200 persons in indoor built up/covered area whereas in open space gathering has been allowed with 50 percent capacity of the ground.
It was also decided that Covid appropriate behaviour would be ensured by the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police at prominent tourist places. It gave consent to bring children who have lost their both parents due to Covid-19 under the ambit of Mukhya Mantri Bal Uddhar Yojna to provide them additional monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.
It also gave its consent to increase the additional honorarium being provided by the state government from existing Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,750 per month to ASHA workers. This would benefit 7,964 ASHA workers in the state.
The cabinet appreciated the progress of vaccination status of teaching and non-teaching staff. It was informed that about 90% teaching and non-teaching staff has been vaccinated as on June 30. It was also informed that about 25,000 college students were vaccinated on June 28 and 29 and about 80% college students of final year stood vaccinated on June 30.
The cabinet decided to create one post of medical superintendent in 200-bedded civil hospital Nurpur in Kangra district for proper management of this hospital. It decided to bring orphaned children and senior citizens above 70 years under the fold of HIMCARE scheme without any premium. This would benefit about 1,500 orphaned children besides 16,304 senior citizens aged above 70 years.
It decided to set up an MRI machine worth Rs 12.50 crore in Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda in Kangra district to facilitate people of the area. An approval was given to create and fill up two post of radiographers in radiotherapy department of Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda.
It also gave its consent to fill up one post each of assistant professor, medical social worker and psychologist, two posts of medical officers and five posts of staff nurse in palliative care services, one post of assistant professor in medical oncology services and one post of assistant professor in general surgery in Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk in Mandi district.
The cabinet gave its approval to upgrade primary health centre Mari in Chamba district to community health centre along with creation and filling up of five posts of different categories for its smooth functioning. It gave its approval to create and fill up one post of professor of obstetrics and gynaecology in Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla.
It decided to convert traffic police assistance room, Kufri in Shimla district into a permanent police chowki to facilitate the general public. It decided to create one post of additional/joint director in fisheries department in headquarter Bilaspur to be filled amongst HAS officer.
