By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 29 Apr: The government today launched Telemedicine consultancy and an e-Hospital at the Doon Medical College Hospital, here. This was done during a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. Some important decisions were also taken by the cabinet. Briefing the media, Government spokesman and Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik stated that the government today sanctioned expenditure of Rs 2.48 crores for purchase of Ayurvedic herbs and medicines and homoeopathic medicines to boost immunity. With the funds approved, the government would purchase herbs and medicines like Ashwagandha, Giloy, Tulsi decoction as well as homoeopathic medicines like Arsenic Album 30 for distribution.
Another important decision was to start COVID-19 testing at Srinagar. It was also decided to provide free Container OPD facility at various places for general medical diagnostics. In the year 2018, 100 retired doctors were hired against the sanctioned posts of 2725 doctors. However, only 3 retired doctors had joined and the cabinet decided to extend their services till 2021. Against the 150 sanctioned posts of dentists, only 80 had joined, the remaining vacancies would be filled soon, it was decided.
In another decision, it was decided to permit e-payment through digital means like mobile phone or computer for registration (Registry charges) of sale deeds of properties.
In another major decision, it was decided to provide 25 percent additional subsidy to farmers in the state besides the subsidy already available to them on various Kharif crop seeds and inputs.
The cabinet also approved construction of the Tyuni Palasu and Arakot Hydropower projects. These projects have been handed over to the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited.
An initial sanction of 5 posts, each, was accorded by the Cabinet for under construction medical colleges in Rudrapur, Haridwar and Pithoragarh. It may be recalled that an amount of Rs 325 crores had been provisioned in the budget for these medical colleges.
It was also decided to approve online examination for the recruitment process by Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Commission. The authority to choose the agency to conduct online tests was given to the CM by the cabinet.
