Furthering it's earlier decision of regulating cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, which is reeling under drug menace for long, the state cabinet today approved a pilot study on cannabis cultivation to be jointly undertaken by Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni.
The study will evaluate and recommend the future roadmap in this matter. The Agriculture Department was designated as the nodal department for this Initiative.
The state cabinet in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Dharamshala in Kangra district, also decided to extend the special relief package introduced for disaster-affected families in 2023 to those impacted by the fire incident in Tandi Village in Kullu district.
Under this package, affected families of Tandi village will receive ₹7 lakh for completely damaged houses, ₹1 lakh for partially damaged houses, and ₹50,000 for the loss of cowsheds. Additionally, a monthly house rental assistance of ₹5,000 will be provided to the affected families until June 30, 2025.
The cabinet approved the procurement of state-of-the-art machinery and equipment for robotic surgery at AIMSS Chamiyana Shimla and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, at a cost of ₹56 crore on analogy of AIIMS, New Delhi.
The cabinet approved an amendment to the previous order of the Forest Department, allowing the extraction of berberis roots (Kashmal) with a cut-off date of 15th February, 2025. Additionally, forest produce extracted from open spaces prior to January 4, 2025, will be permitted for transportation until 15th February, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the HP Forest Produce Transit (Land Routes) Rules, 2013.
It approved the establishment of a ropeway between Kullu Bus Stand and Peej Paragliding Point to provide tourists with a smooth and safe transportation facility, thereby boosting tourism in the region.
The Council of Ministers also decided to fill 9 posts of Block Development Officers in the Department of Rural Development.
The cabinet also sanctioned the procurement of 24 air-conditioned super luxury buses for HRTC to enhance services for passengers.
It also approved 100 motorbikes to field offices of the State Taxes and Excise Department to ensure better enforcement and surprise checks.
It also approved to rename Government College Seema District Shimla as Raja Virbhadra Singh Government College Seema, GGSSS, Sports Hostel (Girls) Jubbal as Sh. Ram Lal Thakur GGSSS, Sports Hostel (Girls), Jubbal in Shimla district and Government College Khad, District Una as Mohan Lal Dutt Government College Khad.
A detailed presentation was meanwhile given on the revival of stalled hydro projects and restructuring of directorates in the education department.
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