The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, held an important meeting here today and took a series of significant decisions covering Panchayati Raj reforms, social welfare measures, infrastructure development, energy projects, administrative strengthening and recruitment in various departments.
One of the key decisions taken during the meeting was to invite objections and suggestions from the general public regarding the proposed amendments to Rules 28, 87, 88 and 89 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. According to the proposed changes, Panchayats that have remained reserved continuously for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will not remain reserved in the upcoming Panchayat elections.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010. The amendment seeks to clearly redefine the term ‘Destitute’ and simplify the certification process required for availing benefits. Under the revised provisions, women who have been abandoned by their husbands, are not living with them and do not have any independent source of income will now be considered destitute women and will be eligible to receive social security benefits.
Another major decision was taken under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, where the Cabinet approved the extension of 40 percent of the Local Area Development Fund for providing financial assistance to children of the State.
In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved the cancellation of 15 hydroelectric projects that had failed to be commissioned despite availing the benefits under the one-time amnesty scheme.
The Cabinet also decided to allot the 10 MW Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), subject to the condition that BBMB will return the unused land to the State Government. In return, the State Government will receive 13 percent free power and an additional 5 percent power as its share from BBMB.
To strengthen rural water management, the Cabinet approved the Operation and Maintenance Policy aimed at handing over the in-village infrastructure of both Single Village Schemes and Multi Village Schemes to the respective Gram Panchayats.
In the dairy sector, the Cabinet approved the constitution of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar. This cooperative body will include milk producers from the districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una. Additionally, the National Dairy Development Board will act as the Administrator for managing and operating the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant.
The Cabinet also approved the expansion of Heli-Taxi services on the Chandigarh–Shimla–Chandigarh route. The frequency will increase from three sorties to twelve sorties per week, with flights scheduled twice daily for six days a week. The State Government will provide viability gap funding to ensure the smooth operation of this service.
In view of the delay in the release of funds by the Government of India under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Cabinet decided that the salaries of outsourced employees working under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Jal Shakti Vibhag will be paid from the State’s own resources.
To strengthen the education sector, the Cabinet approved the filling up of 60 posts of Junior Assistant Professors in various Government Engineering and Pharmacy Colleges under the Department of Technical Education.
In the Cooperation Department, approval was granted to fill two posts of Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies and 30 posts of Inspector Cooperative Societies.
The Cabinet also approved the filling up of 16 posts of coaches in Sports Hostels under the Education Department.
Further, three posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) will be filled in the Information and Public Relations Department.
To promote sports infrastructure, the Cabinet approved increasing the bed capacity of the Sports Hostel at Kharidi in district Hamirpur to 100 beds. It was also decided that this facility will be designated as a State Level Sports Centre of Excellence.
In the law and order sector, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Sub Divisional Police Office at Gagret in Una district along with the creation and filling up of the necessary posts.
The Cabinet also approved the transfer of land in Mauja Kuftu, Tehsil Kotkhai, district Shimla in favour of the Ministry of Education for setting up a new Kendriya Vidyalaya at Kotkhai.
Similarly, land in Mauja Haripur Tohana, Tehsil Paonta Sahib, district Sirmaur will be transferred to the Ministry of Education for the establishment of another Kendriya Vidyalaya at Paonta Sahib.
To strengthen policing infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the upgradation of Police Post Kotla into a full-fledged Police Station in Police District Nurpur, along with the creation and filling up of the required posts.
The Fire Post at Tahliwal in Una district will also be upgraded to a Sub Fire Station, with the creation and filling of the required posts.
The Cabinet further approved the appointment of the remaining seven candidates selected in the 2016 recruitment process for the post of Patwari in Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts against the existing vacant posts.
Another important decision included granting an 80-year lease in favour of HIMUDA by amending Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013. Earlier, the rule restricted the State Government from granting land leases for more than 40 years.
Finally, the Cabinet decided to regularise the services of part-time water carriers working in the Education Department in district Sirmaur who have completed 11 years of service as on March 31, 2025. This includes seven years of service as part-time water carriers and four years as daily wage workers.
These decisions reflect the State Government’s focus on administrative reforms, strengthening public infrastructure, promoting rural development, supporting social welfare and improving public service delivery across Himachal Pradesh.
