H.P. Cabinet Approves Key Welfare, Agricultural, and Infrastructure Initiatives in Major Policy Push. 

Shimla:

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, took several landmark decisions during its meeting held today, aimed at expanding welfare schemes, promoting natural farming, improving healthcare and transport infrastructure, and offering relief in public utilities.

Domestic Workers Brought Under Welfare Scheme
In a significant welfare step, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of domestic working women under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behana Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna. Women who have worked as domestic help for a minimum of 100 days—and their daughters aged 21 years or above—will now receive a monthly pension of Rs. 1500.

Boost for Natural Farming with Revised MSP
To support organic farming, the Cabinet raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown crops. The MSP for wheat has been increased from Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 per kg, and maize from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per kg. New MSPs have also been set: Rs. 90 per kg for raw turmeric and Rs. 60 per kg for barley grown in Chamba’s Pangi block, which has been declared the state’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division.

Expansion in Transport and Employment
To enhance rural connectivity and create job opportunities, the Cabinet approved allotment of 422 stage carriage routes to private operators. This move aims to strengthen the public transport network and generate self-employment for youth.

Urban Parking Reforms
In a bid to curb roadside congestion, the Cabinet allowed previously closed basement floors in buildings to be used for parking. If misused for non-parking purposes, heavy penalties will be levied and the original use must be restored.

Strengthening Health Infrastructure
Major healthcare upgrades were approved, including the establishment of Nephrology, Neurology, and Gastroenterology departments at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical CRadhakrishnanirpur, with 118 new posts created.
Other decisions include:

• Upgrading the Ayurvedic Health Centre in Kosari (Kangra) to a 10-bedded hospital.
• Elevating the PHC at Panjawar (Una) to a Community Health Centre.

Support for Agricultural Research and Jal Shakti Division
The Cabinet gave the green light to fill 43 technical posts in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the state. A new division of the Jal Shakti Vibhag will be set up in Sujanpur, Hamirpur district, to improve water supply management.

Tourism and Homestay Promotion
The Cabinet approved a new Home Stay Policy, with a reduced registration fee—set at 50% of the standard rate—for homestays in the remote Pangi sub-division, promoting rural tourism.

Water Tariff Relief for Urban Expanses
In a public-friendly decision, the Cabinet approved continuation of rural water tariff rates for three years in 14 newly formed Nagar Panchayats and merged areas of upgraded Municipal Corporations and Councils, including Hamirpur, Una, Baddi, Nadaun, Baijnath-Paprola, Jwalamukhi, and Paonta Sahib.

Merger of State-of-the-Art and Women ITIs
To streamline vocational education, the Cabinet merged seven State-of-the-Art (SOA) Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and seven Women ITIs into their respective existing ITIs across the state.

These sweeping decisions are expected to strengthen social welfare, economic empowerment, and infrastructural development in Himachal Pradesh, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.