HP Cabinet gives nod to filling of 1900 posts in state

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet today approved filling of 1900 posts in the state, including 1500 for police constables through direct recruitment, and also gave a nod to setting up of a joint venture for the implementation of a 1000 MW solar park in Spiti valley.
In a meeting held after two months, the cabinet also decided to change the name of HP Subordinate Services Selection Board as HP Staff Selection Commission and directed concerned departments to start the selection process for direct recruitments for the posts.
The cabinet offered a three year extension to retiring medical teachers of state-run Indira Gandhi Medical College (Shimla) and Dr R P Medical College, Tanda (Kangra) if they accept the offer to join the two new medical colleges coming up at Nahan and Chamba.

The government had raised the age of superannuation in January 2012 from 58 to 62 to meet the shortage of faculty. However, the Director Medical Education and Principal (medical administrators) are not included among those eligible for the extension.
The cabinet also approved formation of a joint venture company -- Himachal Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Limited -- for implementation of 1000 MW solar park in Spiti valley. The state and Union governments would be partners in the joint venture with 50:50 equity share.
The Cabinet also approved Solar Power Policy-2016 for setting up of solar photovoltaic projects in the state. It gave ex-post facto approval to the government's decision to impose a complete ban on the sale of single stick/loose cigarette and beedi in the state and also directed the health department to draft a legislation for registration of retailers of tobacco products.

It also gave ex-post facto approval to extension of agreement for operationalising National Ambulance Services in the state for a further period ofthree months.