Covid surge: HP cabinet decides to keep schools shut till Sept 14
SHIMLA: With Covid-19 beginning to see an upward spiral again, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to keep schools shut till September 14.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur.
The cabinet also gave its nod to amendment and insertion in Himachal Pradesh buildings and other construction workers (regulation of employment and condition of service) rules, 2008, to increase the ambit of the scheme and provide more benefits to eligible beneficiaries. Now, the workers’ children studying in Classes 1 to 8 will receive Rs 8,400 per annum, instead of the earlier amount of Rs 8,000 in case of girls and Rs 5,000 in case of boys. For Classes 9 to 12, the government will provide Rs 12,000 per annum instead of the earlier amount of Rs 11,000 to girls and Rs 8,000 to boys. For graduation-level, Rs 36,000 per annum will be provided while the amount has been increased to Rs 48,000 per annum for diploma courses, Rs 60,000 for professional courses/degrees and Rs 1.20 lakh per annum for PHD research courses.
Scheme for female child The cabinet also decided to start a new scheme under which a fixed deposit receipt of Rs 51,000 will be given on the birth of a female child, maximum up to two girls. In case of differently abled children, Rs 20,000 per annum will be provided to a child with disability of 50% or above. It was also decided to start widow pension of Rs 1,500 per month. It was also decided to start hostel facility scheme under which a registered construction worker will receive an amount of Rs 20,000, maximum for bearing expenses incurred on account of lodging, boarding and food bill of his children living in hostel.
Under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojna, a beneficiary will receive a financial assistance of Rs 1,50,000 to build his/her own house.