Himachal Cabinet Approves Panchayat Restructuring, Disaster Relief Hike, and 1,000 Patient-Care Recruitments

Shimla, 24 November | Diary Times News Bureau
In a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the Shimla Secretariat on Monday, the Himachal Pradesh government approved the restructuring and delimitation of panchayats. The decision is significant because the State Election Commission had earlier imposed a stay on restructuring; despite this, the Cabinet moved ahead, raising the possibility of a delay in the upcoming panchayat elections. The matter is currently pending before the Himachal Pradesh High Court, with the next hearing scheduled for December 22. Unless the court gives clear directions, the elections may be postponed.

Enhanced Disaster Relief Package

The Cabinet revised the disaster-relief package by increasing compensation for fully damaged houses from ₹7 lakh to ₹8 lakh. Compensation for household belongings has been raised from ₹75,000 to ₹1 lakh. Families affected by fire incidents or other natural calamities will also receive ₹8 lakh in assistance.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that under MGNREGA, the number of workdays during disaster periods has been increased from 100 to 150, providing additional support to families working in difficult conditions.

Major Recruitments Approved

The Cabinet approved the recruitment of 1,000 Rogi Mitras (Patient Care Assistants) in the Health Department and 800 constables in the Police Department. The government stated that these additions will strengthen healthcare services and law-and-order operations across the state.

Boost to EV Adoption and Pollution Control

The government announced a 40% subsidy for converting conventional taxis into electric vehicles. Officials said the move will help reduce pollution and accelerate the state’s transition to e-mobility.
Under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Startup Scheme-2023, the Cabinet also approved converting 1,000 petrol and diesel taxis into electric taxis with the same 40% subsidy support.

Integrated Anti-Narcotics Task Force

The Cabinet approved the merger of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force with the Special Task Force under the Home Department, creating a unified agency to strengthen operations against drug-related crimes. Additionally, a state-wide anti-drug campaign at the panchayat level has been approved.

Road Safety and Local Administrative Reforms

To enhance road safety, the Cabinet approved the purchase of ten electric bikes for highway patrolling.

In Kangra district, a new Kanungo circle will be created at Bankhandi by reorganizing the Haripur tehsil and dividing the Haripur and Bilaspur Kanungo circles.

The Forest Department has been authorized to issue letters of intent for granting mineral concessions on forest land.

Support for Small Shopkeepers

The scope of the Mukhyamantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojana has been expanded to include small urban shopkeepers and retailers with an annual turnover below ₹10 lakh. Under the scheme, shopkeepers whose accounts have been declared NPAs will receive one-time settlement assistance of up to ₹1 lakh through banks, with the state government bearing the cost.

Education Sector Decisions

The Cabinet approved the reorganization of Bamsan and Hamirpur development blocks in Hamirpur district.
Government College Hamirpur will be converted into a dedicated Science College, and an integrated B.Ed (B.Sc.) programme will begin with one unit.

The Government Senior Secondary Schools (Boys) and (Girls) in Hamirpur will be merged and converted into a co-educational senior secondary school from the next academic session.

Four-year integrated B.Ed programmes have been approved for government colleges in Dharamshala, Nadaun, Chailkot, and Tikkar (Shimla district).
A two-year B.P.Ed programme will start at Government College Saraswati Nagar in Shimla district.
The Fine Arts College at Loharab will introduce new subjects, and the Haripur-Guler college in Kangra will be converted into a Fine Arts institution.

The Cabinet also approved conducting the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for the promotion of 805 principals in government schools, to be chaired by the Secretary (Education).