Shimla, Sep 15 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, on Thursday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for according Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Hatti community of trans-Giri in Sirmaur district that had been pending since 1967.

Eyeing to woo voters, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday granted ST status to them on the lines of their counterparts settled in adjoining Uttarakhand.

Leaders under the banner of Hatti Sangharsh Samiti had been asking both BJP and Congress -- which have largely ruled the state -- to grant them the tribal status.

The Cabinet also decided to make part-time panchayat chowkidars, who have completed 12 years of continuous service, as daily-wage panchayat employees.

It decided to rename the library of one college in every district as Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar District Library as a mark of respect to the founder of the Constitution, an official statement said.

It decided to issue a Letter of Intent to Cider Mills Private Ltd. for setting up a fruit-based winery plant in Nerwa tehsil of Chopal in Shimla district.

Additionally, an approval was granted for issuing a Letter of Intent in favour of Himachal Nectars Pvt. Ltd. for its another unit in Kasauli tehsil in Solan district for setting up a winery.

The Cabinet decided to open new Forest Division (Wildlife) at Janjehli in Mandi district along with creation of various posts.