The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has decided to seek feedback from the public regarding proposed amendments to certain rules governing Panchayati Raj elections. These amendments include provisions that would prevent the continuous reservation of panchayats for more than two terms since 2010. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved changes to the Social Security Pension Rules to redefine the term ‘Destitute’ and simplify the certification process for eligible individuals, particularly women abandoned by their husbands without independent income sources.
The Cabinet has also extended 40% of the Local Area Development Fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy to support children financially. Furthermore, it has approved the cancellation of 15 hydroelectric projects that did not become operational despite benefiting from a one-time amnesty scheme. Additionally, the Cabinet has allocated a 10 MW small hydroelectric project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, with specific conditions regarding power sharing.
Moreover, the Cabinet has endorsed an Operation and Maintenance Policy for transferring in-village infrastructure responsibilities to gram panchayats. It has also sanctioned the establishment of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd in Dhagwar, involving milk producers from Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Una districts. The National Dairy Development Board will oversee the management of the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has approved an increase in heli-taxi services on the Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh route from three to 12 sorties per week, with flights operating twice daily for six days. The government will provide financial support through viability gap funding for this service enhancement. Lastly, the Cabinet has decided to pay the salaries of outsourced employees working under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jal Shakti Vibhag from state funds due to the non-release of funds by the Government of India for the mission.
