The State Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cancer Care Centre at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur. The Cabinet also sanctioned the creation of 11 departments in the centre along with the creation and filling up of required posts.
To ensure timely benefits to citizens, the Cabinet decided to amend the Social Security (Pension and Allowance) Rules, 2010 for time-bound disbursal of social security pensions.
The Cabinet approved adoption of the National Policy on Geothermal Energy to promote exploration and development of geothermal resources in the State. The Directorate of Energy will function as the nodal agency, and amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021 were also approved to incorporate geothermal guidelines.
To strengthen welfare schemes for orphans and widows, the Cabinet gave approval to promulgate an Ordinance to levy an ‘Orphan and Widow Cess’ on petrol and high-speed diesel at the point of first sale in the State. The cess will not burden consumers while ensuring adequate resources for welfare initiatives.
The Cabinet approved the allotment of four hydroelectric projects up to 25 MW—Khauli-II (6 MW), Malana-III (24 MW), Manalsu (21.9 MW) and Dhancho (18 MW)—to successful bidders.
To boost tourism, the Cabinet decided to construct a 4.3-kilometre-long Naddi Zipline Project near Dharamshala in Kangra district at a cost of ₹7.41 crore. Once completed, it will be Asia’s longest zipline.
In healthcare and human resource reforms, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Senior Resident Doctor Policy, fixing a 66.66 per cent quota for in-service GDOs/MOs and 33.33 per cent for direct candidates, with interchangeability in case of non-availability. It also permitted construction of eight additional blocks at AIIMS Bilaspur to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
The Cabinet approved filling up of 11 posts of Assistant Commissioner, State Taxes and Excise; 11 posts in the Disaster Management Cell of the Revenue Department; six posts of Tehsildar; and re-engagement of retired revenue officers on fixed remuneration for speedy disposal of pending cases. It also decided to fill various job trainee posts in the Residential Institute for Mentally Challenged Children, Hiranagar, PWD (Horticulture), and create posts for the Volleyball Sports Hostel at Bhareri, Hamirpur.
Amendments were approved to the Assistant Staff Nurse policy, revising the age limit to 18–45 years with five-year relaxation for SC/ST and other eligible categories.
The Cabinet extended the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019 till 31st March, 2026, permitted in-principle takeover of the Institute for Children with Special Abilities, Dhalli, and approved SOPs for recruitment of crèche workers and helpers.
It also approved setting up four new laboratories for nutritional profiling and food testing in Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan (Baddi), along with upgradation of the Kandaghat laboratory. Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. was allowed to operate 46-seater aircraft daily on Delhi–Shimla–Delhi and Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla routes.
The Cabinet further approved construction of a new ice-skating rink in Shimla and gave its nod to the Himachal Land Revenue Rules, 2025 to regulate the functioning of revenue and village officers.
