In a significant move towards administrative reform and development, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the chairmanship of CM Sukhu, approved a series of key decisions in its meeting today. The Cabinet revised the Compassionate Employment Policy by increasing the family income eligibility limit from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh annually and prioritizing widows, orphaned applicants below 45 years of age, and dependents of employees who died while on duty. It also allowed a one-time relaxation of the 5% quota in cases where vacancies are unavailable. In the health education sector, the Cabinet approved an increase in B.Sc. Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla from 60 to 100, and sanctioned a new nursing college with 60 seats at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, along with the creation of 27 related posts.
In a progressive step toward gender equality, the Cabinet permitted the employment of women workers in shops and commercial establishments during night shifts (7 PM to 7 AM), with mandatory maternity benefits as per the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The meeting also approved the constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee under Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan to oversee the development of a 300-acre Medical Device Park in Nalagarh, with the committee expected to submit its report within two months. Amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals Rules, 2015 were cleared, allowing the reuse and auction of materials generated during road cutting and reservoir maintenance.
Further, the Cabinet extended the MoU with Alliance Air for operating flights on the Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla route until 30 June 2026. It also canceled 172 small hydroelectric projects (below 5 MW) under HIMURJA due to prolonged delays, and 22 additional hydro projects (above 5 MW) where no implementation agreements had been signed. A uniform free power royalty of 12%, plus 1% for local area development, was approved for all future small hydro projects. A committee was constituted to negotiate out-of-court settlements with 14 developers for refund of the upfront premium amount without interest.
To support infrastructure expansion, a one-year extension was granted for land acquisition proceedings under the Kangra Airport expansion project, valid up to 16 August 2026. The Cabinet also approved the draft Development Plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district to ensure sustainable development and resource conservation. Administrative restructuring was approved for Patwar Circle Naleti in Kangra district. Finally, a detailed presentation was made on drug abuse in the state, reviewing the challenges and current actions being taken by the Excise and Taxation Department.
एसजेवीएन की अध्यक्षता में नराकास-2 शिमला की छमाही बैठक सम्पन्न
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
