The cabinet also approved the inclusion of Bujru, and Dikaut castes in the OBC list.

It was also decided in the meeting that the grinding charges of wheat flour which was being distributed through public distribution system would be increased from 20 paise per kg to 30 paise per kg but the state would bear the burden and no burden would be imposed on the consumer.

The government also approved the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act which was pending since 1986. With the implementation of this Act, children would not be exposed to serious diseases and more conducive working conditions would be made possible.

The proposal of shifting the headquarters of DSP Kangra was also cleared by the cabinet.

The agreement of execution of the Uhal third stage project in Mandi which was signed in 1992, was cancelled as the firm could not executed it. This will now be executed by either the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board or any private sector agencies such as NJPC or NHPC.

The government approved 66 mini-micro hydel power projects with the capacity of 127 MW to be executed by the private sector agencies.

The plastic industries, which come under the small-scale industries were provided massive 50 per cent tax relief. They are now exempt from the additional goods tax.

The government has also decided to provide essential infrastructure in primary schools by 2002 under the Sarswati Bal Vidya Sankalp Scheme for which samities comprising locals, would be formed. Local pradhans would be patrons of construction committees and the presidents of the PTA would be their presidents. Representation would be given to teachers, parents of handicapped children and anganwari school teacher, SC/ST/ backwards and minority community. The primary school headmaster would be its member secretary.

It was also decided to hold two meetings of the cabinet in a month and the budget session would start from March 4.

The cabinet also accorded approval to upgrade the Manali Winter Carvinal Festival to a district level festival.

Briefing media persons, the chief minister said the mini-secretariat to be constructed at Dharamsala, would have at least 15 rooms especially for the ministers. The cabinet approved the setting up of a fire brigade station at Kangra. At least 34 personnel would be appointed to man the station which would have at three fire tenders.

The government also approved Rs 10.88 crore Integrated Cooperative Development Project in Solan district to be sent to the Centre for clearance. It would operate through a nodal agency called Jogindra Cooperative Bank.

Meanwhile, rejecting the allegation that the state government was ignoring Kangra district, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the district was humming up with development activities.

The state government was committed to uniform development of all areas in the state with special emphasis on those which had remained neglected, Dhumal said while addressing a public meeting at Rehan, in Kangra district, last evening.

The Chief Minister announced the opening of an Industrial Training Institute at Rehan and bus bodies fabrication workshop at Nurpur. He also announced the opening of a senior secondary school at Sulali and upgradation of the Government Model Girls Middle School, Rehan, to a high school.

Dhumal sanctioned a tubewell at Chattar to tackle water shortage in the area. The government had taken up the matter regarding the setting up of a Central Reserve Police Force centre with the Central government, he informed.To settle speedily the outstanding cases of Pong Dam oustees, Dhumal announced the opening of offices of Land Acquisition Officer at Raja-ka-Tabab, Dehra and Dharamsala. He criticised the previous Congress government for having done nothing to solve the oustees' problem.

Referring to the progress made by the BJP-led government at the Centre, the CM said that the nuclear tests conducted last year had raised the dignity of Indians among other nations.

Rakesh Pathania, MLA, and chairman of HPTDC, spoke about the needs of the people of the area.