Decision to extend validity of all ranklists

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Cabinet on Tuesday decided to report 1,158 vacancies reserved for handicapped persons to the PSC before September 12.Briefing Cabinet decisions, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the vacancies were the backlog since 2004-05. Handicapped persons have three per cent reservation in government jobs. The previous government had entrusted this appointment with the PSC.Earlier, it were the District Collectors who invited applications and conducted interviews for such appointments. The Cabinet also decided to request the PSC to extend the validity of all ranklists till March 31, 2012. The Chief Minister said the unification of pension date had resulted in several candidates losing their chances to secure a government job.100-day Programme The Cabinet assessed the progress of the 100-day programme of the government. Out of the 110 programmes announced, 30 were found to have achieved their goal. While 54 programmes are in progress, 26 are yet to gain momentum. The Cabinet meeting on September 1 will again assess the progress of the programme.Chengara rehabilitationThe Chief Minister said that 1,495 families which received land as part of the rehabilitation package for Chengara agitators would be provided power and water supply and financial assistance to build houses.  If the land allotted is found unsuitable to construct houses, they will be given new land in the same area. The agitators had submitted additional 1,000 names to be considered for land allotment. The Cabinet has in principle approved to grant them 25 cents. The Revenue Minister has been asked to identify the land either from surplus land or through acquisition.As per the one-time settlement scheme, the interest and penal interest on loan arrears of SC/ST Christian converts will be written off. A sum of `25,000 will be written off for all loan cases due since March 31, 2006.Meeting of pharma companiesChandy said that the prices of all medicines, including that of life-saving medicines, had increased manifold. The government will hold a meeting of pharmaceutical company representatives to evolve a consensus on regulating the prices of life-saving medicines. Widely used medicines will be made available at affordable prices. He claimed that even under existing rules, the government could bring pharma companies to follow the government line. As part of these efforts, the Medical Service Corporation will be strengthened.