In a meeting chaired by CM Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet took several significant decisions aimed at improving public services, infrastructure, and welfare initiatives across the state. One of the key decisions was to induct 1,386 eligible Jal Rakshaks (Water Guards), who have completed 12 years or more of service as of 31st December 2024, as Pump Attendants in the Jal Shakti Vibhag. To support horticulture, the Cabinet approved the procurement of apples at ₹12 per kg under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2025. Additionally, procurement rates for B and C grade kinnow, malta, and orange were set at ₹12 per kg, galgal at ₹10 per kg, and various mango varieties at ₹12 per kg.
The Cabinet also approved recommendations by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, led by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. These included conducting structural safety audits of buildings statewide, undertaking retrofitting measures, and mandating hazard-resistant construction. It further called for integrating agencies like Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire Services, and the SDRF with the State Disaster Management Authority to ensure a unified disaster response.
Further decisions included the translocation of 325 trees for Phase-I of the Durgesh-Aranya Zoological Park development in Bankhandi, Dehra (Kangra district), and the opening of a new Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Dehra with the required staff posts.
In the health sector, the Cabinet approved the upgradation of 18 day care chemotherapy centres at district hospitals and select Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, enabling cancer patients to receive follow-up care closer to home. It also sanctioned the establishment of a 50-bedded Critical Care Block and a District Integrated Public Health Lab at Civil Hospital Tegu-behar (Kullu), along with the supply of critical medical equipment to several other hospitals across the state.
In support of the dairy sector, new milk processing plants were approved at Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru, along with a milk chilling centre at Jalari (Hamirpur) and a bulk milk cooler at Jhalera (Una). To improve transparency and accessibility, the Cabinet decided to implement an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software system for the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation, enabling farmers to access key information digitally via mobile phones.
Lastly, the Cabinet approved the rationalization of teaching and non-teaching posts in government polytechnic colleges to optimize staffing and improve technical education delivery across Himachal Pradesh.
