Shimla, March 7:
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Saturday approved several key policy decisions including proposed amendments to Panchayati Raj election rules, expansion of heli-taxi services and filling of multiple government posts.
The Cabinet decided to invite objections and suggestions from the public on proposed amendments to Rules 28, 87, 88 and 89 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. Under the proposal, Panchayats that have remained reserved continuously for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will not be reserved in the upcoming Panchayat elections.
It also approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010, redefining the term “destitute” and simplifying the certification process. Women abandoned by their husbands and having no independent source of income will now be considered destitute and eligible for benefits.
The Cabinet approved extending 40 per cent of the Local Area Development Fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy to provide financial assistance to children of the state. It also decided to cancel 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to be commissioned despite availing the one-time amnesty scheme.
The 10 MW Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh will be allotted to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), subject to the return of unused land to the state government. The state will receive 13 per cent free power and an additional 5 per cent share from the project.
To strengthen dairy infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the formation of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar for milk producers from Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una districts. The National Dairy Development Board will manage and operate the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant as administrator.
The Cabinet also approved increasing heli-taxi services on the Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh route from three to twelve sorties per week, with flights operating twice daily for six days. The state government will provide viability gap funding to support operations.
It further decided that salaries of outsourced employees engaged under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Jal Shakti department will be paid from state resources as central funds have not been released.
The Cabinet approved filling 60 posts of Junior Assistant Professors in government engineering and pharmacy colleges, two posts of Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies and 30 posts of Inspector Cooperative Societies. It also approved filling 16 coach posts in sports hostels and three Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts in the Information and Public Relations Department.
The bed capacity of the Sports Hostel at Kharidi in Hamirpur district will be increased to 100 beds and upgraded as a State-level Sports Centre of Excellence.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Sub-Divisional Police Office at Gagret in Una district, upgrading Police Post Kotla in Nurpur to a police station and upgrading the Fire Post at Tahliwal in Una to a Sub Fire Station.
Land will be transferred in Kotkhai (Shimla district) and Paonta Sahib (Sirmaur district) to the Ministry of Education for setting up new Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The Cabinet also approved filling the remaining seven posts of Patwari selected in 2016 for Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts. It further decided to allow an 80-year land lease to HIMUDA by amending Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013.
Additionally, services of part-time water carriers in the Education Department in Sirmaur district who have completed 11 years of service as of March 31, 2025, will be regularised.
