Agartala, Aug 12: The Tripura cabinet in a meeting on Friday approved recruitment in 244 posts and gave clearance for creation of another 175 posts under various departments.

Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs and cabinet spokesman Sushanta Chowdhury briefed the media about the cabinet decisions that included filling up of 200 posts of Pharmacists (Allopathy).

He said, the 200 posts of Pharmacists (Allopathy) would soon be filled up under the Health and Family Welfare department.

Of the total 739 sanctioned posts, 501 posts are lying vacant while the remaining 238 are physically occupied; now Finance department cleared recruitment in 200 posts.

The council of ministers also gave approval for filling up 35 posts under the Food and Civil Supplies department, Chowdhury told the reporters. He said the posts included 20 Lower Division Clerks, 6 Sub-Inspectors, 6 Junior Store Keepers and 3 Fumigation Assistants.

Chowdhury said, nine vacant posts of Sub-Inspectors under the Excise department would also be filled up through direct recruitment (TPSC).

The state cabinet gave clearance for creation of 175 posts-- 20 posts of Multitasking Staff (Group-D) under the Directorate of Audit, eight posts of Assistant Divisional Fire Officers under the Fire and Emergency Services department, 147 technical posts of Draftsmen, Junior Draftsmen, Surveyor, Senior Surveyor and Overseer under the PWD department. The newly-created posts under PWD would be filled up through promotion, the ICA minister added.

Meanwhile, the council of minister approved some changes in the Recruitment Rules for Pharmacist (Allopathy), Lab Technician and Ophthalmic Assistant under the Health and Family Welfare department. As per the revised Recruitment Rules, now the Degree holders in Pharmacy can also apply for these posts; earlier the qualification to apply in these posts was Diploma in Pharmacy.