SHIMLA, JULY 20: In a major boost to the state's healthcare sector, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) for super-specialist faculty possessing DM, M.Ch. and DrNB qualifications and serving under the Department of Medical Education and Research, while also raising the stipend of postgraduate medical students by up to 25 per cent.
Under the revised rates, first-year PG students will receive Rs 50,000 per month instead of Rs 40,000 (25% increase), second-year students Rs 60,000 instead of Rs 45,000 (33.3% increase) and third-year students Rs 65,000 instead of Rs 50,000 (30% increase).
The Cabinet also amended the PG/Super-Speciality policy to encourage specialists to serve at AIMSS Chamiyana and Radiodiagnosis departments in government medical colleges other than IGMC Shimla by treating such service as mandatory field posting for six years.
Further strengthening medical infrastructure, the Cabinet approved new B.Sc. Medical Technology (Radiotherapy Technologist) and Bachelor of Radiation Therapy Technology courses with 30 seats each at IGMC Shimla and Dr RPGMC Tanda, sanctioned dialysis technician posts in all government medical colleges and approved procurement of equipment for five Critical Care Blocks.
It also cleared the establishment of an All India Institute of Ayurveda at Dhaneta in Hamirpur district.
Besides healthcare, the Cabinet approved a major recruitment drive, including 400 Multi-Task Workers in Gram Panchayats, 3,950 chowkidars and MTS in 1,975 Government Senior Secondary Schools, 200 Junior Office Assistants (Library), 280 Job Trainee Technical Assistants, and 102 posts for the newly created Police District Nurpur.
Among other welfare measures, the Cabinet enhanced the monthly honorarium of ASHA workers from Rs 5,800 to Rs 6,800 and Nambardars from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000, besides approving enhanced cash awards for teachers, expanded nutrition under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and a series of initiatives for fisheries, road safety, sports and infrastructure.
