Himachal Pradesh Government Proposes Amendments to Panchayati Raj Election Rules
The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has initiated a significant move by proposing amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. The state cabinet, in a meeting held on Saturday, has invited objections and suggestions from the public regarding these proposed changes. This step aims to enhance transparency and public participation in the governance process.
Key Changes in Reservation Rules
The proposed amendments specifically target Rules 28, 87, 88, and 89 of the Panchayati Raj election framework. A major stipulation is that panchayats which have been reserved continuously for two consecutive terms since the base year of 2010 will not be reserved in the upcoming panchayat elections. These elections are scheduled to conclude by May 31. This measure is designed to ensure rotation in reservation, thereby providing more panchayats with the opportunity to contest from unreserved seats and promoting broader representation in local governance.
Hydroelectric Projects and Energy Initiatives
In a separate decision, the council of ministers approved the cancellation of 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to be commissioned despite benefiting from a one-time amnesty scheme. Additionally, the cabinet decided to allot the 10 megawatt (MW) small hydroelectric project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). This allotment is conditional upon the BBMB returning unused land to the state government. As part of this agreement, the state government will receive 13% free power and 5% power as its share from the BBMB, bolstering the state's energy resources.
Enhancement of Heli-Taxi Services
To improve connectivity and tourism, the cabinet approved an enhancement of Heli-Taxi services on the Chandigarh–Shimla–Chandigarh route. The frequency will be increased from 3 sorties to 12 sorties per week, with flights operating twice daily for six days a week. To support this operation, the state government will provide viability gap funding, ensuring the service remains sustainable and accessible to the public.
Social Security and Welfare Measures
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010, by redefining the term 'destitute'. Under the revised provisions, women abandoned by their husbands, who are not living with them and have no independent source of income, will now be considered destitute women. This change aims to extend social security benefits to a broader segment of vulnerable women in the state.
Furthermore, it was decided to extend 40% of the local area development fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy to provide financial assistance to children in the state, supporting their education and welfare.
Cooperative and Dairy Development
In a move to boost the dairy sector, the cabinet approved the constitution of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar. This union will comprise milk producers from the districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Una. Additionally, the National Dairy Development Board will be engaged as the administrator for the management and operation of the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant, aiming to enhance efficiency and productivity in the dairy industry.
Employment and Staffing Decisions
The cabinet addressed various employment needs across departments:
- Approval to fill 60 junior assistant professors in various government engineering and pharmacy colleges under the department of technical education.
- Nod to fill two posts of assistant registrar, cooperative societies, and 30 posts of inspector, cooperative societies, in the department of cooperation.
- Decision to fill 16 posts of coaches in sports hostels under the education department.
- Approval to fill three posts of junior office assistant (IT) in the information and public relations department.
- Grant to appoint the remaining seven candidates selected for the post of patwari in 2016 for Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu districts against vacant posts.
Law Enforcement and Infrastructure Upgrades
The cabinet took several decisions to strengthen law enforcement and infrastructure:
- Nod to create a sub-divisional police office at Gagret in Una district, along with the creation and filling of requisite posts.
- Decision to upgrade Police Post Kotla to a police station in Nurpur police district, with the creation and filling of necessary posts.
- Approval to upgrade Fire Post, Tahliwal, in Una district to a sub fire station, including the creation and filling of required posts.
Other Significant Approvals
The cabinet also made several other key decisions:
- Approval to increase the bed capacity of the Sports Hostel in Kharidi, Hamirpur, to 100 beds, and it will be renamed as a state-level sports centre of excellence.
- Consent to transfer land in Mauja Kuftu, Kotkhai tehsil in Shimla, and at Mauja Haripur Tohana, Poanta Sahib tehsil, Sirmaur, in favour of the Union Ministry of Education for opening new Kendriya Vidyalayas at Kotkhai and Paonta Sahib.
- Decision to grant an 80-year lease in favour of the HIMUDA by amending Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013, which previously limited leases to 40 years.
- Approval to regularise the services of part-time water carriers working in the education department in Sirmaur district who completed 11 years of service as on March 31, 2025.
These comprehensive decisions reflect the Himachal Pradesh government's commitment to improving governance, infrastructure, and welfare across the state, with a focus on public participation and sustainable development.
