Shimla: The State Cabinet, in its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, took a series of significant decisions aimed at strengthening the health sector, improving livelihoods, promoting education, boosting infrastructure, and ensuring social welfare across Himachal Pradesh.
Key Decisions of the Cabinet:
Health & Medical Education
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Approved filling of 53 posts of Assistant Professors and 121 teaching and non-teaching posts, including paramedical staff, in all government medical colleges.
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Sanctioned creation of 600 posts of Assistant Staff Nurses through HP Rajya Chayan Aayog, Hamirpur, under the Assistant Staff Nursing Policy.
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Approved 20% incentive on basic pay for faculty doctors possessing DM and MCh qualifications.
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Gave nod to set up a Drug De-addiction Centre at Malot, Indora (Kangra district).
Recruitment & Administration
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Approved filling of 40 vacant posts of Junior Engineer (Civil) – Job Trainees in Jal Shakti Vibhag.
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Sanctioned recruitment of 10 Block Development Officers through direct recruitment.
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Approved compassionate employment to 28 persons in the Education Department.
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Granted relaxation for under-construction Lok Bhawans under the Mukhya Mantri Lok Bhawan Yojna.
Education Reforms
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Approved creation of a dedicated Sub-Cadre for CBSE schools in 100 identified schools with defined recruitment, training, tenure, and performance evaluation norms.
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Approved adoption of Functional Equivalence Model (FEM) for Assistant and Associate Professors in Applied Sciences and Humanities across all five Government Engineering Colleges.
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Approved establishment of the University of Multidisciplinary Institute of Innovation, Skill, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Research (MIISTER) at Ghumarwin (Bilaspur) on PPP mode.
Social Welfare
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Expanded the ambit of Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Yojna to include:
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Children studying in Tong-Len School, Dharamshala.
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Children of disabled parents (70% or more disability).
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Children with one deceased parent and the other having abandoned them.
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Approved revision of Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukandar Sukh Kalyan Yojna–Shahri, providing one-time settlement assistance up to ₹1 lakh for small shopkeepers with NPAs on loans up to ₹2 lakh.
Rural Economy & Livelihoods
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Approved PEHEL Project for sustainable livelihoods of Himalayan pastoralists, modernization of pastoral practices, conservation of indigenous breeds, and strengthening market linkages.
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Approved introduction of a new Act for smooth movement of pastoralists, opening forest land and meadows for Gaddi livestock.
Dairy & Agriculture
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Approved setting up of Milk Processing Plants at Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru.
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Sanctioned Milk Chilling Centre at Jalari (Hamirpur) and Bulk Milk Cooler at Jhalera (Una), along with facilities at Karsog and Pangi.
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Approved ₹60 crore Cash Credit Limit for HP MILKFED for FY 2025–26 and 2026–27.
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Approved opening of a separate milk cess account to ensure timely payment to farmers.
Urban Development & Infrastructure
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Approved construction of a world-class township at Shitalpur on the Himachal–Chandigarh border.
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Approved development of modern commercial complexes at Mohal, Mauja Panol Shahri, and Auhar in Ghumarwin (Bilaspur).
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Approved utilization of Skill Development Institution Building at Palkwah Khas (Una) and shifting of SDRF to the complex.
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Approved Himachal Pradesh Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Project with the French Development Agency with an outlay of ₹892 crore for five years.
Energy & Power Sector
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Approved amendment to Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy–2021, extending free power royalty relaxation (12% free power + 1% LADF) to hydropower projects up to 25 MW, except commissioned projects and those with executed PPAs.
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Approved re-allocation of equity power share in Nathpa Jhakri and Rampur Hydro Power Projects to the State Government for sale through the Directorate of Energy.
Legal & Regulatory
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Approved amendment to Himachal Pradesh Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017 to promote transparency and speedy dispute redressal.
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Approved amendment to Himachal Pradesh Land Preservation Act, 1978 to regulate felling of dried chir trees with competent authority approval.
Transport & Employment
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Approved subsidy for purchase of 18–42 seater buses under Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start Up Yojna for stage carriage operations.
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Approved shifting of headquarters of Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Backward Classes from Shimla to Dharamshala (Kangra).