Himachal Cabinet Announces Rs. 1,500 Monthly Assistance for Women, 300 Units of Free Electricity; Approves Major Decisions on Health, Jobs and Development.

Shimla:

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, took several significant decisions aimed at providing financial assistance to women, strengthening healthcare services, promoting sports, generating employment opportunities and accelerating infrastructure development across the State.

In a major decision, the Cabinet approved the launch of the ‘Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna’, under which eligible women in the age group of 18 to 59 years will receive financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 per month. The scheme will also provide 300 units of free electricity to eligible beneficiary families. A total of 3.50 lakh eligible women have been identified for coverage under the scheme. The Government has already enhanced the monthly financial assistance for women above 59 years of age from Rs. 1,050 to Rs. 1,500.

The Cabinet also approved a uniform State policy for determining and periodically revising the rates for the sale of surplus raw water to neighbouring States, government agencies and industries. Under the policy, an initial benchmark rate of Rs. 100 per 1,000 cubic feet will be applicable to all existing and future projects of the State, including inter-State water projects. The rates will be revised periodically through a prescribed mechanism linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

In another important initiative, the Cabinet decided to launch the ‘Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026’ across all 12 districts of the State. The campaign aims to engage young people in sports activities and strengthen efforts against drug abuse by encouraging a healthy lifestyle, discipline and positive community participation.

The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021. Under the revised provisions, Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) projects will provide free power royalty at the rate of 50 per cent for the first 10 years after completing 40 years of operation. These projects will be transferred to the State Government free of cost upon completion of 50 years from their commissioning.

To address delays in the execution of renewable energy projects, the Cabinet approved the cancellation of allotments of 222 solar power projects due to their prolonged non-implementation. It also approved the cancellation of allotments of 13 hydroelectric projects with a capacity of more than 25 MW for non-compliance with policy provisions. Additionally, the Cabinet decided to re-bid 20 hydroelectric projects.

To encourage passenger transport services, the Cabinet approved an increase in the subsidy for purchasing diesel buses from 30 per cent to 40 per cent under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojna, 2023. The subsidy will support the operation of passenger buses on identified intra-sub-division routes.

It also approved a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing electric buses and a 40 per cent subsidy for diesel buses having a seating capacity of more than 10 passengers. These buses will operate on the Hamirpur Bus Stand–Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Jolsapper, and New OPD, IGMC Shimla–Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality, Chamiyana routes.

In a significant relief to farmers, the Cabinet approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of naturally grown ginger from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per kilogram. It also enhanced the procurement price of C-grade apples under the Market Intervention Scheme from Rs. 12 to Rs. 13 per kilogram.

Major Decisions in the Health Sector

The Cabinet approved the engagement of 1,000 Rogi Mitras in the Health Department to facilitate affordable and quality healthcare services for the people of the State.

It also approved the creation and filling of 561 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in various government medical colleges, dental colleges and the Directorate of Medical Education. The appointments will help in the effective implementation of the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS). In addition, Data Entry Operators will be engaged in the Health Department for implementing the system.

The monthly emoluments of outsourced Perfusionists working in government medical colleges have been increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 45,000.

The Cabinet also decided to establish a Department of Geriatric Medicine at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla; Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda; and Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk, Mandi. The decision includes the creation and filling of requisite posts, including Senior Resident positions.

For the smooth functioning of the Mother and Child Hospital Wing at Civil Hospital Nurpur in Kangra district, the Cabinet approved the creation and filling of posts in various categories.

It also approved the creation and filling of eight posts of Assistant Professor and one post of Associate Professor in different departments of Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.

The Cabinet further approved the creation and filling of requisite posts at the newly upgraded Civil Hospital Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district and the upgradation of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Kotkhai in Shimla district to a Civil Hospital, along with the necessary staffing arrangements.

Recruitment and Administrative Decisions

The Cabinet decided to grant a one-time relaxation in Rule 11 of the Himachal Pradesh Police Department (Recruitment of Constables) Rules, 2024, to conduct the written examination for constable recruitment in offline mode instead of online mode.

It also approved the filling of 20 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in the Rural Development Department.

The Cabinet approved the creation and filling of 15 posts of Stenographer Grade-III in various courts across the State.

In Kangra district, it decided to upgrade Police Post Baroh to a Police Station, along with the creation and filling of the requisite posts. It also approved the opening of a Police Post at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.

The Cabinet further approved the creation and filling of four posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) and one post of Multi Task Worker in the Treasuries, Accounts and Lotteries Department.

It also decided to fill three posts in different categories under the four per cent reservation quota for Persons with Disabilities in the Youth Services and Sports Department.

Modernisation of Registration Offices and Other Development Projects

The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Registration Sewa Kendra Project to modernise existing Sub-Registrar Offices on the lines of Passport Seva Kendras. The project will be launched in its first phase in Solan, Shimla, Kangra and Sirmaur districts.

It also decided to lease 2.26 hectares of land for establishing a Central School at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district.

In another decision aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of the State, the Cabinet approved upgrading the District-level Phul Yatra Mela of Pangi in Chamba district to the status of a State-level fair.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of the office of Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) at Dadasiba in Kangra district, along with the creation and filling of posts in various categories.

These decisions cover a wide range of sectors, including women’s welfare, electricity, agriculture, renewable energy, public transport, healthcare, education, police administration and rural development, reflecting the State Government’s focus on expanding public services and strengthening infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.