Latest news with #CompassionateEmploymentPolicy
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt approves amendments to Compassionate Employment Policy
Shimla: The state govt has approved key amendments to the existing 'Compassionate Employment Policy' by increasing the annual income eligibility criterion per family from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per annum. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The change aims to bring more families under the policy's ambit. To prioritise the most vulnerable, widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as dependents of govt employees who died while performing official duties, will be given preference for appointments under compassionate grounds, the state govt mentioned in a press statement. To ensure that deserving candidates are not deprived of opportunities due to limitations in the existing quota, the state cabinet recently approved a one-time relaxation in the 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments, wherever required. Widows, especially those below 45 years of age, often bear the sudden and sole responsibility of managing their families after the untimely demise of their spouses. In such distressing circumstances, they are in urgent need of both moral and financial support to provide for their children's education and to care for elderly family members. This policy revision seeks to offer them timely assistance and stability, read the statement. MSID:: 123143818 413 |
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects
The state cabinet on Wednesday allowed cancellation of the current allocation of 172 projects sanctioned by HIMURJA that failed to pick up even after more than two decades and has decided to re-advertise these projects. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during cabinet ministers during meeting in Shimla on Wednesday. (HT Photo) The decision was taken by the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led cabinet on Day 3 during the 4-day cabinet meetings. Himurja is the state nodal agency for promotion of renewable energy and aims to enhance the proliferation of rooftop solar within the state for projects. All the power projects under 5MW are handled by Himurja. The cabinet also decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12% along with an additional 1% for the local area development fund for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. A senior officer said that the companies who were allotted these works failed to start the work and took extension from time to time. Along with this the cabinet also gave its approval to cancel 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, previously allotted by the directorate of energy, where implementation agreements have not been signed. For rest of the projects, a time up to 5 August has been allowed for submission of the replies to the notices served. The state government had issued showcase notices to about 40 such companies. The cabinet also decided to constitute a committee to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement for the refund of the principal amount of upfront premium, without interest. Amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy The state cabinet also approved the much awaited amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy giving relaxation in annual income eligibility. As per the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been enhanced from ₹2.50 lakh to ₹3 lakh. Priority for compassionate appointments will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5% quota for such appointments are unavailable, the cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. In another decision, the Cabinet has allowed engaging women workers in shops and commercial establishments to work in night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am to ensure gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals The state cabinet okayed amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. As per the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material, during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects, for captive purposes. Additionally, any leftover stacked raw material or finished product, along with the entire material generated shall be auctioned by the designated committee in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The cabinet also constituted a sub-committee under the chairmanship of industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on the development of a 300 acre medical device park at Nalagarh and has been asked to submit its report within two months. Nod has been given to increase the number of BSc Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla from 60 to 100. Establishment of a new BSc Nursing College with an annual intake of 60 seats at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, along with the creation and filling up of 27 posts of various categories was also sanctioned. The cabinet further approved the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state Government and Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. for operating flights on the Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla route. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, it granted a one-year extension, up to August 16, 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings. Cabinet also approved the draft development plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district.
News18
30-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Himachal Cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects
Agency: Shimla, Jul 30 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday allowed cancellation of 172 small hydro projects of below 5 MW capacity under Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA), where construction work had been stalled for an extended period. The state government will re-advertise these projects, as per the decision taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Also, it was decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12 per cent along with an additional one per cent for the Local Area Development Fund for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. The Cabinet also gave its approval to cancel 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, where implementation agreements have not been signed, previously allotted by the Directorate of Energy, a statement issued here said. A committee will be formed to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement for the refund of the principal amount of upfront premium, without interest. The state cabinet has also given its approval for amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy. As per the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been enhanced from Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 lakh. Besides, under compassionate appointments, priority will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing five per cent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the Cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. In another decision, the Cabinet has allowed engaging women workers in shops and commercial establishments to work in night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am to ensure gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Cabinet has decided to constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on the development of 300 acre Medical Device Park at Nalagarh. The Sub Committee has been asked to submit its report within two months. Nod was also given to amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. As per the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material, during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects, for captive purposes. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, the Cabinet has granted a one-year extension, up to August 16, 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings, the statement added. PTI BPL HVA view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 20:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
HP CM orders backlog clearance of employment cases
Shimla, May 6 (UNI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed officials to clear the entire backlog of employment cases under compassionate grounds within one year, providing relief to hundreds of distressed families awaiting appointments after the death of government employees. Presiding over a high-level meeting on the Compassionate Employment Policy here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister announced a revision of the annual income eligibility criterion from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. He said the backlog would be addressed in three phases, with widows and orphans under the age of 45 years receiving first preference. As per official data, 141 widows and 159 orphans currently fall under this category. In the second phase, eligible candidates belonging to low-income groups will be considered, followed by the remaining applicants in the third phase. The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for transparent implementation and timely resolution of pending cases. However, the move comes amid growing resentment among long-waiting aspirants who fear being sidelined under the new policy parameters. Several applicants, who have been awaiting appointments for years, allege that the government is attempting a reduction in the number of eligible candidates by altering the criteria midway. Sources said discussions are underway to set a minimum length of the deceased employee's service and fix a maximum age limit for dependent family members seeking jobs. UNI ML PRS
