Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Key Reforms: Boosts Local Employment, Promotes Solar Power, and Enhances Rural Infrastructure.
Shimla:
In a significant move to promote local employment and green development, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved a series of impactful decisions during its meeting held today.
One of the major highlights was the reclassification of Level-11 pay matrix posts from Group-B to Group-C, restricting eligibility for these posts exclusively to bonafide Himachali candidates. Previously under the purview of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and open to nationwide applicants, these posts will now be recruited through the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog, following Group-C recruitment norms.
The Cabinet also approved an increase in the honorarium for multi-task workers of the Public Works Department from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 5,500 per month, benefiting around 5,000 workers across the state.
To strengthen the dairy sector and incentivize milk production, a new Milk Incentive Scheme was launched, offering a subsidy of Rs. 3 per litre to farmers supplying milk to eligible non-government dairy cooperative societies. The subsidy will be directly transferred to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Aligning with the government’s vision to decentralize tourism development, the office of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will be relocated from Shimla to Dharamshala. This step supports the declaration of Kangra as the Tourism Capital of the state and aims to decongest Shimla.
The Cabinet also greenlit the creation and filling of 101 posts in the Police Lines of District Police Dehra, enhancing law enforcement infrastructure.
In a push for renewable energy and self-employment, the Cabinet approved interest subsidies for solar power projects. Projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas will receive a 5% interest subsidy, while those between 250 KW and 2 MW in non-tribal areas will be eligible for a 4% subsidy.
Furthering its commitment to green energy, the government authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HIMURJA and selected Gram Panchayats to set up 500 KW solar power plants in 100 Panchayats under the Green Panchayat Scheme. Each plant is expected to generate revenue of Rs. 25 lakh monthly, distributed among HIMURJA (30%), the State Government (20%), and the respective Panchayats (40%). An additional 10% will be earmarked for welfare programs for orphans and widows.
To bolster disaster preparedness, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of Panchayat Emergency Response Centres in each of the 3,645 Panchayats across the state. These centers will serve as frontline units to respond effectively to natural disasters, safeguarding human lives and property.
These sweeping decisions reflect the government’s commitment to inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and grassroots empowerment.
