HP govt to set up state health fund to upgrade med facilities

Himachal Pradesh government will set up a state health fund to generate resources for upgrading zonal and district hospitals to include facilities like surgeries and treatment of certain chronic diseases.
State Cabinet yesterday approved the recommendations of state Health Commission which envisaged creation of the health fund to upgrade health facilities in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards.
It has been recommended that Sirmour and Kangra districts be developed as model healthcare districts.
As per the IPHS guidelines, zonal and district hospitals would be upgraded to offer comprehensive care including ability to provide emergency services, level II trauma care, special newborn care, surgeries, psychiatric care as well as diagnosis and treatment of treatable chronic diseases.

The cabinet also approved the Eco-tourism policy-2016 aimed at attracting 10 per cent oftotal tourists visiting various destinations of the state by 2030.
However, the projects under the policy would not be exempted from provisions of the Forest Conservation Act.

The policy is based on the understanding that involvement of local communities in eco-tourism would support their livelihood needs and consequently create a stake for them in the conservation of local culture, ecology and environment.
The Cabinet reviewed the progress of implementation of budget assurance by various departments and directions were issued to them to expedite the implementation of pending works.

It was also decided to procure and distribute school uniforms under Mahatma Gandhi Vardi scheme to the students of Class I to X through e-tender by Himachal Pradesh State Civil Supply Corporation for 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The Cabinet approved the proposal to provide facilities in
Potential industrial zones in industrial corridors in Una, Sirmour, Kangra, Solan and Bilaspur districts of the state.
It also approved 100 per cent increase in honorarium of Gram Vidya Upasak from Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000 per month.
The cabinet gave its nod to the provision to give relief to the persons under the state disaster relief manual who were presently not covered under it. This included death or injury due to electric current, dog bites etc.

It was further decided that in absence of FIR or postmortem report, the medical certificate, death certificate, the relief could be provided on the statement of Panchayat heads or local representatives.
The Cabinet also decided to allot 528 MW Jaisi Hydel Electric Project to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation and also approved for re-allocation of power generated to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd.
SJVNL had proposed that power generated in stage-I (219 MW) and stage-II (143 MW) of Luhri hydroelectric project to be given to SJVNL as per the hydro power policy of the state.
Approval was accorded for incorporation of the company (Special purpose vehicle), Kishau Corporation, by the state government as joint venture with the Uttarakhand government in equal equity participation to execute Kishau Multipurpose Project (660 MW).

The Cabinet approved a MoU to be signed between Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda and Sita Ram Jindal Foundation for construction of a Sarai (Inn) in the institute.
The Cabinet also decided to enhance the capital of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation to Rs 90 crore from Rs 70 crore and gave its nod for creating and filling 3,000 posts of teachers of various categories.