In a key decision-making session chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Thursday introduced several transformative policy changes aimed at promoting local employment, renewable energy adoption, and equitable rural development. The most notable among them was the reclassification of Level-11 pay matrix posts from Group-B to Group-C, a move that makes only bonafide Himachali candidates eligible for recruitment to these positions. Previously categorized under Group-B, these posts were open to candidates from across India through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. With the reclassification, the recruitment process will now fall under the jurisdiction of the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog, reinforcing the government’s intent to prioritize native job seekers.
The Cabinet’s decisions further focused on uplifting low-income workers and promoting agrarian welfare. The monthly honorarium for nearly 5,000 multi-task workers employed under the Public Works Department has been increased from ₹5,000 to ₹5,500, bringing tangible relief to grassroots labor forces. A new Milk Incentive Scheme was also launched to support farmers supplying to non-government dairy cooperatives. Under this scheme, eligible milk producers will receive ₹3 per litre as subsidy through direct bank transfers, strengthening the dairy sector’s contribution to the rural economy.
Marking a strategic shift in tourism governance, the Cabinet approved the relocation of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s headquarters from Shimla to Dharamshala. The move is aligned with the declaration of Kangra as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh and is expected to ease congestion in Shimla while enhancing administrative efficiency in Dharamshala.
In a robust step toward bolstering clean energy infrastructure, the Cabinet approved interest subsidies for solar power projects. The scheme offers a 5 percent interest subsidy for solar projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas and a 4 percent subsidy for non-tribal regions for capacities between 250 KW and 2 MW. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was cleared between HIMURJA and selected Gram Panchayats for the establishment of 500 KW solar plants across 100 villages under the Green Panchayat Scheme. Each installation is projected to generate approximately ₹25 lakh in monthly revenue, with earnings distributed among HIMURJA, the State Government, and the respective Panchayats. An earmarked 10 percent of the proceeds will be devoted to welfare initiatives benefiting orphans and widows.
Reinforcing the state’s disaster preparedness, the Cabinet gave its consent to establish Emergency Response Centres in all 3,645 panchayats of Himachal Pradesh. These centres are expected to serve as vital nodes for safeguarding lives and property during natural calamities, particularly in vulnerable mountainous regions.
The sweeping decisions reflect the Sukhu-led government’s continued push for decentralized development, environmental resilience, and inclusive growth. With a comprehensive focus on employment, social welfare, green energy, and administrative efficiency, the new measures underscore the state’s commitment to progressive governance.
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