Major Healthcare and Employment Initiatives Approved
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has given the green light to several significant decisions aimed at transforming public services across the state. In a comprehensive meeting, the cabinet approved the engagement of 1,000 'Rogi Mitras' within the Health Department to ensure improved patient care in healthcare institutions throughout Himachal Pradesh.
Enhanced Disaster Relief and Employment Schemes
Showing strong commitment to disaster-affected families, the cabinet decided to substantially increase compensation for loss of household articles from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, a special assistance package of Rs 7 lakh was approved for houses completely destroyed due to fire incidents. The government has also sanctioned Rs 4.32 crore to the Indian Air Force for providing crucial helicopter services during disaster situations.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the cabinet approved 150 days of guaranteed employment, providing significant relief to rural workers. Beneficiaries will also receive up to Rs 2 lakh for constructing retaining walls under personal works, further strengthening rural infrastructure.
Education and Police Department Strengthening
In a major boost to the education sector, approval was granted to conduct the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for promoting 805 principals in government schools. The committee will be chaired by the Secretary of Education. The cabinet also cleared the creation and filling of 800 constable posts in the Police Department, addressing staffing needs in law enforcement.
Higher education received substantial attention with the approval of a four-year integrated B.Ed programme at Government Colleges in Dharamshala, Nadaun, Chail-Koti, and Tikkar in Shimla district. A two-year B.P.Ed programme will launch at Government College Saraswati Nagar, while new subjects will be introduced at the Fine Arts College in Lohrab.
Electric Vehicle Promotion and Infrastructure Development
In a significant environmental initiative, the cabinet approved a 40% subsidy for converting 1,000 petrol and diesel taxis into electric vehicles under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme-2023. To improve road safety, the cabinet also approved the purchase of ten electric bikes for highway patrolling.
Healthcare infrastructure received a major boost with the creation and filling of 73 posts for nine super-specialty departments at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur. At Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda, 27 new Senior Resident posts were sanctioned for the super-specialty wing.
The cabinet expanded the Chief Minister Small Shopkeepers' Welfare Scheme to include small urban shopkeepers and retailers with annual turnover below Rs 10 lakh. Small shopkeepers whose accounts have turned NPA will receive one-time settlement assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh through banks, fully borne by the state government.
In administrative reforms, the cabinet decided to merge the Anti-Narcotics Task Force with the Special Task Force to create a unified Special Task Force under the Home Department, aiming to enhance operational capacity against drug-related crimes. Approval was also granted to launch anti-drug campaigns at the Panchayat level.
