Himachal Cabinet Approves Key Reforms Across Transport, Health, Education and Energy Sectors

Shimla, October 25:
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, met on Saturday and approved a series of major policy decisions spanning transport, health, education, energy, and rural development.

Key Decisions

Electric Taxi Scheme:
The Transport Department has been authorized to convert 1,000 existing diesel and petrol taxis into electric vehicles under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme, offering a 40% subsidy to vehicle owners.

Honorarium Hike for SPOs and Teachers:
With effect from April 1, 2025, the Cabinet approved an increase of ₹300 per month in the honorarium for Special Police Officers, and a ₹500 monthly raise for TGTs, C&V, JBTs, lecturers, DPEs, IT/computer teachers, mid-day meal workers, and part-time water carriers.

Agriculture and Rural Development:
Approval was given to streamline the implementation and monitoring systems of the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana and the Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Project (JICA Phase-II).

Guidelines for Rural Development:
A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi will finalize the model by-laws to be adopted by Gram Panchayats.

Merit List for Sports Quota Appointments:
The Cabinet approved the inclusion of 19 sports disciplines in the merit list for recruitment to Group A, B, C, and D posts under the sports quota.

Health and Education Initiatives:
The Cabinet cleared proposals for the expansion of Nahan Medical College, regulation of admissions in new postgraduate and super-specialty courses, creation of 32 new Assistant Professor posts in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and adoption of the new Resident Doctors Policy-2025.

Solar Energy Scheme:
Amendments were approved to the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Solar Energy Scheme for Himachal residents. The revised plan offers interest subvention of 5% in tribal areas and 4% in non-tribal regions.

Tourism and Industry:
The Cabinet approved the establishment of a Tourism Investment Promotion Council and designated the Himachal Pradesh General Industries Corporation as the nodal agency for pharmaceutical units.

Other Key Decisions:

• Introduction of 15 days’ paternity leave for male contractual employees.
• Establishment of three new government primary schools in Solan district.
• Revision of the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Student Loan Scheme — education loans for postgraduate studies will now carry 1% interest, and the family income limit has been raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum.

These decisions are viewed as significant steps toward accelerating growth and reform across the state’s education, health, energy, and employment sectors.