Shimla May 22
In a crucial Cabinet meeting held on Friday amid the Panchayat poll model code of conduct, the Himachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved a series of major decisions expected to significantly impact the state’s politics, economy and employment landscape.
The Cabinet gave approval to allow shops across Himachal Pradesh to remain open 24 hours a day, a move seen as a major boost for the tourism-driven economy of the hill state. The decision is expected to strengthen trade, hospitality, transport and the night-time economy in key tourist destinations such as Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala, besides major religious tourism circuits.
The Cabinet also approved one of the Congress government’s most talked-about poll guarantees — monthly financial assistance of ₹1500 for women from families with an annual income below ₹2 lakh. Political observers are viewing the move as a significant welfare and electoral strategy ahead of upcoming political battles in the state.
In another major decision, the government cleared recruitment for nearly 2500 posts in various departments. These include 1500 posts in the Education Department, 500 Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts, 94 craft instructor posts in Industrial Training Institutes, 105 senior resident doctor positions and several clerical and other posts in the Police Department. The decision is being seen as a major relief for unemployed youth awaiting government recruitment.
The Cabinet further approved increasing the retirement age of college professors from 62 to 63 years. It also cleared an increase in honorarium for mid-day meal workers, School Management Committee employees, multi-task workers, Panchayat chowkidars and sewing teachers.
Sources said the government also gave the green signal to the ambitious “Him Chandigarh” project, under which around 8,000 bighas of land will be provided. The project is being viewed as a futuristic urban development model for the state.
In the education sector, the Cabinet decided to introduce CBSE-like facilities in 300 schools functioning under the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, a move aimed at improving the quality and competitiveness of government schools.
Although the government did not hold an official press conference due to the model code of conduct, the Cabinet decisions clearly indicate that the Sukhu government is now aggressively focusing on women, youth, employees and welfare politics while simultaneously pushing administrative and economic reforms.
