From February 3, schools in HP will reopen

According to the most recent statement, Himachal Pradesh schools will reopen for Physical Lectures. From Thursday onwards, the HP State Government has approved the reopening of schools for students in higher classes, i.e., students from Class 9 to 12. The state administration of Himachal Pradesh decided to reopen schools after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

The demand for schools to reopen has been increasing stronger in recent days as the annual exams approach.

The cabinet also approved the reopening of coaching schools and libraries. Apart from that, the cabinet also eased several restrictions. All government offices would be open for business as usual for six days a week, with full staffing.

Employees with disabilities and pregnant women, on the other hand, would continue to work from home. All gyms and clubs would be reopened as well.

All social gatherings would now be allowed with a 50% capacity, subject to a maximum of 500 people outside and 250 inside, as well as strict adherence to safety measures and Covid-appropriate behaviour. The night curfew would be enforced as usual from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and shops would open and close at regular intervals. Community kitchen services will be discontinued until further orders are received.

HP Budget Session 

The cabinet has agreed to hold the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha’s budget session from February 23 to March 15. The recommendation in this regard will be sent to the governor for approval.

There will be a total of 16 sittings in the session. On March 4, the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 will be unveiled.

In addition, the cabinet approved the Himachal Pradesh Integrated Drug Prevention Policy to combat the state’s drug problem. The new strategy attempts to address the state’s serious problems with drug trafficking, substance addiction, drug cultivation, production, and consumption.

It also plans to improve intergovernmental and interagency collaboration through a multi-literal cooperation structure that includes exchanging seizure statistics and data, cooperative drug law enforcement operations, and the creation of a joint interrogation centre.

The government has approved the opening of a horticultural development officer’s office in Mandi district’s development block Balichowki, as well as the establishment and filling of four new positions.

It was also decided that the state government would cover the 25 paisa per transaction Aadhaar authentication fees imposed on ration card holders. About 19.3 lakh ration card holders in the state would profit from this, and the government would spend about ₹55.58 lakh on this account.

The cabinet voted to raise the yearly income cap for receiving benefits from the social justice and empowerment department’s various pension schemes from ₹35,000 to ₹50,000 per year. Under various plans, this would help an additional 78,158 people.