Shimla, March 7: In two major policy decisions, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday decided to invite public objections and suggestions on proposed changes in Panchayat reservation rules and approved the cancellation of 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to take off despite being granted amnesty earlier.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla, approved proposed amendments to Rules 28, 87, 88 and 89 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994.
Under the proposal, Panchayats that have remained reserved continuously for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will not be reserved in the upcoming Panchayat elections.
The government will now seek objections and suggestions from the general public before finalising the amendments.
In another significant move, the Cabinet decided to cancel 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to be commissioned despite being given the benefit of a one-time amnesty scheme.
The decision is aimed at freeing stalled hydropower sites and enabling the state to reconsider their future development.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010 by redefining the term “destitute” to simplify the certification process.
Under the revised provisions, women abandoned by their husbands and having no independent source of income will be eligible to be treated as destitute for pension benefits.
The Cabinet also decided that 40 percent of the Local Area Development Fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy will be used to provide financial assistance to children of the state.
It further approved allotment of the 10 MW Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, subject to the return of unused land to the state government.
Himachal Pradesh will receive 13 percent free power and an additional 5 percent share from the project.
To strengthen rural infrastructure management, the Cabinet approved an Operation and Maintenance Policy to hand over in-village water supply infrastructure of Single Village and Multi Village Schemes to Gram Panchayats.
The Cabinet also approved the formation of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar, comprising milk producers from Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una districts. The National Dairy Development Board will act as administrator for the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant.
To boost connectivity, the government approved expansion of heli-taxi services on the Chandigarh–Shimla route from three to twelve sorties per week, with two flights daily for six days. The state will provide viability gap funding to support operations.
The Cabinet also decided to release salaries of outsourced employees engaged under Jal Jeevan Mission in the Jal Shakti Department from state resources as the Centre has not released funds under the scheme.
Several recruitments were also approved, including 60 Junior Assistant Professors in technical education institutions, two Assistant Registrars and 30 Inspectors in the Cooperative Department, 16 coaches for sports hostels, and three Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts in the Information and Public Relations Department.
The Cabinet further approved creation of a Sub-Divisional Police Office at Gagret in Una district, upgradation of Kotla Police Post to a Police Station in Nurpur, and upgradation of Fire Post Tahliwal in Una to a Sub Fire Station.
It also cleared transfer of land in Kotkhai (Shimla district) and Paonta Sahib (Sirmaur district) to the Union Ministry of Education for setting up new Kendriya Vidyalayas.
In another policy change, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013 allowing the state to grant land leases up to 80 years in favour of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), instead of the earlier 40-year limit.
The government also decided to regularise part-time water carriers in the Education Department in Sirmaur district who have completed 11 years of service as on March 31, 2025.
