Shimla, Feb 9 (Agency) The Council of Minsters resolved contractors strike and decided to bring an ordinance to change the minor mining act or rules giving respite to around 20,000 contractors who are boycotting government works for last three days. According to information, the pending payment of the contractors would be released by imposing a penalty of 25 percent on the pending royalty. An Ordinances would be brought to amend Acts and Rules as decision to stop the payments of contractors was taken on the order of Himachal Pradesh High court in a petition challenging the state governments and contractors to violates minor mining acts and its rules and violating regulations during construction work in the state.
Council of ministers decided to amend rules which was created deadlock in the state with stoppage of all government construction work of roads bridges, projects and building etc by the contractors in the state. . Himachal Pradesh cabinet meeting was convened in hurry to resolve this problem here on Wednesday morning under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Himachal Pradesh High court hearing a petition last months also ordered the state government to ensure the compliance of minor minning rules stating that violantion of rules could not be allowed asking the government to form high level department and Goverment Committee to probe the matter.
Aggrieved by the court order and non payment of pending dues tunes to around Rs 200 Cr all the contractors in state decided to suspend all government construction works creating a deadlock in the state. Cabinet meeting lasted for one hours took decision to give relief to the contractors who reportedly called off the strike. Meeting was attended by Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, Law and Parliamentary affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Industry Minister Vikrim Singh , Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary and Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania. Cabinet also decided to remove the night curfew implemented in the state. After increasing the cases of corona in the state, night curfew was implemented from 10 pm to 5 am in the entire state from January 5. Now after the decrease in corona cases, it has been decided to remove it. However, no decision has been taken yet to organize regular classes for students from class I to VIII in the state. Regular classes are being held for students of classes IX to XII in summer vacation schools. At the same time, students of these classes will be called in winter schools from February 14.