DW BUREAU / Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Thursday approved the recommendations of a sub-committee led by Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on the operation of homestays in the state, and decided to notify the Himachal Pradesh Homestays Rules, 2024.

According to the new provisions, preference will be given to bonafide Himachalis, while the requirement to obtain no objection certificates (NOCs) from the HP Pollution Control Board, local bodies or any other department has been waived, an official statement said.

The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also decided to extend the special relief package given to the disaster-hit areas in 2023 to people affected by natural disasters at Samej and Rampur in Shimla district, Jaun-Bagipul and Nirmand in Kullu district, and Tikkam Thalu-Kot in Mandi district during this year's monsoon, in which more than 30 people lost their lives with several still missing.

Under the special package, the affected families will receive enhanced relief for their losses, while those whose houses were completely destroyed would get an increased compensation of Rs 7 lakh instead of Rs 1.5 lakh, the statement said.

The Cabinet also accepted the recommendations of a high-powered committee on hydropower headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. Accordingly, the government will assess and formulate a policy to revive about 700 projects of up to 25 MW capacity, which showed no visible progress.

At the meeting, nod was given to implement a standard operating procedure (SOP) for promptly removing fallen or damaged trees lying

on the roadsides.

The Cabinet also decided to grant powers to the district forest officers (DFOs) to manage up to 50 trees in order to streamline the process, reduce cost and ensure timely completion of infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals and roads, the statement said.

(editor@dailyworld.in)