The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to advertise six spots in the state to set up five and seven-star hotels and resorts. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Cabinet held here on Tuesday,which was presided over by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. The state has only one five-star hotel Wildflower Hall,which is a joint venture initiative with the Oberoi group at present. The six proposed locations are Baddi,near Solan,Baragaon,near Manali,Suketi (Sirmaur),Jhatingri (Mandi),Shoja near Banjar (Kullu) and Bilaspur. The total land availability will be up to 380 bighas at every site that can attract investment between Rs 50 crore and Rs 300 crore. A few hotel chains have reportedly approached the government for making investments. The sites were advertised earlier too but the projects could not materialise. In another decision,the Cabinet said it will requisition the services of 482 bus sahayaks on commission basis to sell tickets to passengers in HRTC buses within and outside the state. These persons will be able to meet the shortage of bus conductors in the HP Road Transport Corporation. The government also decided to introduce e-stamping system for collection of stamp duty. Two districts of Shimla and Solan have been taken up on pilot basis. The Stock Holding Corporation of India has been approved,as the Central Record Keeping Agency by the Government of India,and it will be the authorised agency for the electronic sale of stamp papers. The Cabinet also gave its approval to introduce the Minimum Wage Act-1948 in the private sector,making it mandatory for it to pay daily wages to labourers at the rate of Rs 110. It also approved the proposal to offer development of identified parking slots in Shimla under public-private partnership to solve the problem of parking in the areas like Sanjauli,Chhota Shimla and Lift. The government authorised the Shimla Municipal Corporation to enter into agreement with selected parties for the purpose. It decided to take over the control and assets of Child Development Project Office,Gagret,being managed by the Ankur Welfare Association. The government will decide on taking over the services of the staff on case-to-case basis. CABINET DECISIONS* De-notification of Baba Nahar Singh Mandir (Dholra) in Bilaspur for one year* To fill 77 posts in different categories in fire department,and engage services of 132 home guard volunteers on shift duty basis* To fill four vacancies of sub fire officers on regular basis* To engage 25 TTC qualified students of St Bedes College against the posts of JBT on contract basis in the education department* Sanctions seven posts under different categories in Himachal Pradesh High Court* Approves construction plan of two hostels for married doctors in Lakkar BazarRau rememberedThe Himachal Pradesh Cabinet,which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,mourned the death of former governor Prabha Rau on Tuesday. Rau died of a cardiac arrest in New Delhi on Monday. A two-minute silence was observed to pay tributes to her.
