SHIMLA: Cabinet Decisions Under Scanner — Populist Push
In a flurry of announcements that some are calling “populist boosters” to fulfill Guarantee thes Promise, Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, took a series of sweeping decisions — from welfare sops for domestic helps to changes in agricultural policy and infrastructure expansion. But questions are being raised over implementation, resource allocation, and long-term viability.
Sops for Domestic Workers: A Welcome Step, But Is the System Ready?
In a major policy shift, domestic working women who have completed 100 days of work — along with their daughters aged 21 years and above — have been brought under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behana Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna, entitling them to a monthly pension of Rs 1500.
While hailed as a welfare step, critics point out the lack of clarity on how eligibility will be verified and whether the registration mechanism is robust enough.
Natural Farming Gets a Boost — But Will It Pay Farmers Enough?
The Cabinet hiked the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown crops: wheat from Rs 40 to Rs 60/kg, maize from Rs 30 to Rs 40/kg, raw turmeric fixed at Rs 90/kg, and barley from Pangi block at Rs 60/kg.
Pangi was also declared the state’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division. But small farmers say the market support system remains weak, and such MSPs may look good on paper but are hard to realise on the ground.
422 Private Bus Routes Cleared — Employment or Monopoly?
In a move aimed at improving rural connectivity and providing jobs, 422 stage carriage routes were approved for private operators. However, transport unions fear this could lead to route monopolies without regulatory oversight.
Parking Crisis: Cabinet Swings the Axe on Illegal Conversions
To curb congestion, the Cabinet has allowed closed basement floors to be reopened for parking, warning of heavy penalties for violators who misuse parking spaces.
While the step targets rampant misuse of building spaces, municipal bodies will have to ensure strict monitoring — something they’ve struggled with so far.
Major Health Infrastructure Push — Real or Rhetorical?
The Cabinet gave the nod for setting up Nephrology, Neurology, and Gastroenterology departments at Dr. Radhakrishnan Medical College, Hamirpur, creating 118 new posts. PHC Panjawar (Una) will be upgraded to a Community Health Centre and Kosari’s Ayurvedic Health Centre (Kangra) to a 10-bedded hospital. Implementation timelines, however, remain vague.
Technical Agriculture and Jal Shakti Gaps Addressed
43 technical posts in Krishi Vigyan Kendras across Himachal will be filled, and a new Jal Shakti Vibhag division will be set up at Sujanpur in Hamirpur. Farmers and engineers alike hope this translates into real field-level support rather than just office reshuffling.
Homestay Policy Tweaked for Pangi — Tourism With a Twist
A new Homestay Policy was cleared, with Pangi Sub-Division getting a 50% concession in registration fees. While this could boost tourism in remote areas, success will depend on basic infrastructure and connectivity.
Water Tariff Relief — Political Carrot for Urban Fringe?
Residents of 14 newly created Nagar Panchayats and expanded urban areas in Hamirpur, Una, Baddi, Nadaun, Baijnath-Paprola, Jwalamukhi, Dehra, Paonta Sahib, and Jwali will continue paying water bills at rural rates for three more years. Experts say this is more a populist carrot than a sustainable policy.
Merging of ITIs — Rationalisation or Reduction?
Seven “State of the Art” ITIs and seven Women ITIs have been merged with existing ITIs. While the move is being packaged as administrative streamlining, staff and students worry it could dilute focus on women’s skill development and reduce access in remote areas.
While the Cabinet’s decisions touch diverse sectors — from women's welfare and agriculture to health, education, and transport — the real test lies in execution.
Without timely budgets, trained manpower, and administrative will, these well-meaning policies risk becoming another list of unfulfilled promises. HP CM Sukhu claims they will see light of the day.
