Panel to finalise new transfer policy

Shimla, February 5 The much-awaited new transfer policy is expected to be finalised and implemented by the state government within a month. In the state Cabinet meeting held here today, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal directed to constitute an officers’ committee headed by Chief Secretary Ravi Dhingra to summarise and compile recommendations of the Kaul Committee formed on the subject during the previous Congress government.

Secretary to CM and Secretary, Finance and Personnel, have also been made members of the officers’ committee on the transfer policy that would place the proposal for the new policy before the government in the next Cabinet meeting.

The new policy would also take into consideration the directions of the High Court given on the subject, according to which all employees should be treated fairly by the policy. Mandatory service for all government employees in hard or remote or tribal areas and not canceling transfer orders after they have been issued are some points that will be incorporated in the new policy.

The government also gave its nod to regularise the services of 5,363 daily wagers in the Public Works Department and 7,842 in the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) who have completed 10 years of service between 1999 and 2003.

The employees would get the financial benefits from the date of regularisation.

The other decisions of the Cabinet include approving two hydro-power projects, including 17-MW Chanju in Chamba district and 5.5 MW Bharai in Shimla district, for signing MoUs for execution. Both the projects were sanctioned during the pervious government and upfront money was also paid, but approval to sign the MoU for execution in the private sector was awaited. The Chanju project has been allotted to National Uttam Galwa and the Bharai to Sal Hydro.

The state has also decided to increase the share of premium borne by it in agriculture insurance from the present 5 per cent to 50 per cent. Earlier, the Centre and state pooled in 5 per cent premium each and the farmer contributed the rest 90 per cent.

Two new toll barriers have also been approved in Solan district on Gorakhnath to Baddi route via Shahpur and on Bald Nadi to Baddi via Baddi Bridge Pull road.

Four posts of geologists in the industries department and 10 posts of industrial extension officers have also been approved. Due to the hard nature of job of additional conservator of forests and range officers, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Services had asked the government to exempt them for implementing 3 per cent reservation for the disabled for these posts, which was approved by the government.