The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to launch state lotteries to generate additional resources. The decision was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday.
Photo: SNS
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to launch state lotteries to generate additional resources. The decision was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday.
The Cabinet cleared the introduction of OBC reservation in the upcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections. To facilitate this, it also cleared the formation of a Backward Classes Commission, which will compile accurate population data before finalising the reservation roster.
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The Cabinet recommended convening the Monsoon Session of the Vidhan Sabha from August 18 to September 2, 2025. It also approved a one-time relaxation of two years in the upper age limit for candidates appearing in the TGT and JBT recruitment examinations to be conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog.
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In a welfare initiative, one seat per course will be reserved for orphans in all government, government-aided, and private technical institutions, including ITIs, polytechnics, engineering, and pharmacy colleges. To strengthen health services in remote and tribal areas, 290 additional ASHA workers will be engaged.
The Cabinet approved the filling of five Law Officer (English) posts and two Law Officer (Hindi) posts in the Secretariat, along with three Research Officer posts in the Integrated Tribal Development Project offices at Bharmour, Pangi, and Spiti.
The Cabinet granted ex post facto approval for rent support to families affected by torrential rains and currently residing in relief camps. Families will receive Rs 5,000 per month in rural areas and Rs 10,000 per month in urban areas for up to six months via Direct Benefit Transfer.
To check illegal activities, the Cabinet approved the deployment of two Home Guards at each distillery, bottling, and brewery plant, along with a State Taxes and Excise Officer under a mandatory rotation system. It also cleared the auction of 10 minor mineral quarries in Kangra and the re-auction of 11 in Bilaspur, which are expected to generate Rs 18.82 crore and create employment opportunities while curbing illegal mining.
A Tourism Investment Promotion Council headed by the Chief Minister will be set up to fast-track projects of over Rs 50 crore within 30 days. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) will issue the HIM BUS CARD to streamline free or concessional travel facilities.
The Cabinet decided to launch Phase-II of the Himachal Pradesh Sadbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme, 2025, from September 1 for three months to resolve nearly 30,000 pending cases, including VAT cases on petroleum products up to 2020–21. A one-time legacy policy to regularise 2,795 unregistered construction equipment vehicles was also approved, allowing owners to register after paying the applicable tax and 50 percent of the penalty within three months.
The Cabinet also accepted the recommendations of a sub-committee led by Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani to utilise vacant government buildings in a phased manner and designate a nodal agency for their allocation to departments and corporations.
Water tariff in the Solan Municipal Corporation will be made uniform under Jal Shakti Vibhag rates, benefiting thousands of consumers. The Cabinet also approved excluding Stadium Amatar and Panchayat Ghar Bela of Ward 8 from the Nadaun Municipal Council in Hamirpur district.
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