Himachal Pradesh Cabinet in its Meeting held here today granted permission to open 198 Timber Depots on need basis besides re-opening 57 Imported Timber Depots, to market Imported Timber of the species which are not available in the State. The decision has been taken in view of the timber requirement of the users which would go a long way in saving the forest wealth of the State. It would also help in giving boost to self employment ventures of the people engaged in furniture manufacturing activities and reopen 301 furniture shops closed down since August 1, 2010.

Chief Minister presided over the Meeting. It approved enhancement in the loan procurement limit of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited from Rs. 4,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore and also provide guarantee to procure Bonds worth Rs. 1,200 crore from Banks and Financial Institutions.

It granted permission to permit use of distinctive flag by Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Finance Commission on his official vehicle and red beacon and distinctive flag by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life) on the analogy of its counterpart in the State.

Cabinet approved continuation of 20 posts of Assistant Engineers upto March 31, 2012 in Public Works Department and granted permission for filling up of 8 posts of different categories on deputation and 4 posts on contract basis in the Department of Environment, Science and Technology; 5 posts of different categories in Himachal Pradesh Technical University on secondment basis and one post of System Analyst by outsourcing; one post of Assistant Director (Physics and Ballistics) in the State Forensic Laboratory, Junga through direct recruitment on contract basis; besides upgrading the post of Senior Law Officer (Hindi) to Assistant Legal Remembrance and Under Secretary (Law) in the Department of Law.

It approved re-demarcation of jurisdiction of Nagar Panchayats of Rewalsar and Sarkaghat in district Mandi for planned and regulated development of the area. It also approved renaming of Ropari Chowk and Ropari-Jaisinghpur road via Harot in district Kangra after Shaurya Chakra Awardee, Martyr Subedar Kehar Singh, and Bhatoli-Malyavar road in Ghumarwin, district Bilaspur after Vir Chakra Awardee late Shri Sukh Ram, who hailed from respective areas. It granted approval to the amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Fire Department Uniform Rules, 2005 and Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2008.