Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Major Policy Decisions
The Himachal Pradesh cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, convened in Shimla on Friday and approved a series of significant measures aimed at boosting agriculture, employment, and public services. The decisions encompass a wide range of sectors, from crop pricing to administrative reforms.
Substantial Increase in Minimum Support Prices
In a move to support farmers, the cabinet has approved a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for several key crops. This initiative is designed to enhance agricultural income and promote sustainable farming practices across the state.
- Wheat: The MSP has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kilogram.
- Maize: The price has been raised from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kilogram.
- Barley: Specifically for barley from Pangi Valley in Chamba, the MSP has been elevated from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kilogram.
- Raw Turmeric: The support price has seen a significant jump from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kilogram.
- Ginger: Under natural farming, ginger will now have an MSP of Rs 30 per kilogram.
Creation of Government Jobs and Engagement of Retired Personnel
To address unemployment and staffing shortages, the cabinet has approved the creation and filling of numerous government positions. This includes 1,000 police constable posts and 500 assistant forest guard posts, with a 50% quota reserved for Van Mitras, highlighting a focus on community involvement.
Additionally, the cabinet cleared the engagement of retired revenue officials for the forest department, including eight naib tehsildars, 20 kanungos, and 44 patwaris, who will serve on fixed remuneration. To tackle faculty shortages in medical education, retired teachers will be engaged as professors in new medical colleges across various specialities.
Encouraging Youth to Join Armed Forces
In an inspirational move, the cabinet decided to take the services of Param Vir Chakra awardee Honorary Captain Sanjay Kumar (retired) effective from May 1. This initiative aims to motivate the youth of Himachal Pradesh to consider careers in the Armed Forces, leveraging his esteemed legacy.
Streamlining Social Security and Administrative Processes
The cabinet has taken steps to improve public welfare by amending Rules 10 (2) and (3) of the Himachal Pradesh Social Security (Pension/Allowance) Rules, 2010. This amendment is intended to ensure the timely disbursal of social security pensions to beneficiaries, enhancing financial support for vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, approval was given to simplify the fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) process, making it more streamlined and citizen-friendly. The revised norms are expected to promote ease of doing business, benefit residential building owners, and strengthen fire safety measures across the state.
Other Key Approvals
The council of ministers also approved several other initiatives:
- Hydroelectric Projects: Allotting 71 small hydroelectric projects to eligible independent power producers as per the Hydro Power Policy, 2006, to boost renewable energy.
- Administrative Reorganisation: Reorganising the administrative set-up of divisions of the Jal Shakti department in Sirmaur district on a constituency basis to provide better facilities to the public.
These comprehensive decisions reflect the state government's commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing public services, and supporting its citizens through targeted policy interventions.
