Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5 percent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the Cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of the quota to accommodate eligible applicants.
Photo: SNS
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
As per the revised policy, the annual family income eligibility limit has been increased from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Priority for compassionate appointments will now be given to widows, parentless applicants below 45 years of age, and dependents of government officials who died in the line of duty.
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Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5 percent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the Cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of the quota to accommodate eligible applicants.
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The Cabinet has approved the engagement of women workers in shops and commercial establishments in night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am to promote gender equality in the workplace.
It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to all women employees working in such establishments, as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
The Cabinet constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan to oversee the development of a 300-acre Medical Device Park at Nalagarh. The Sub-Committee has been asked to submit its report within two months.
The Cabinet also approved the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and Alliance Air Aviation Ltd for operating flights on the Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla route. The MoU will now remain in force from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
The Cabinet approved the cancellation of 172 small hydro projects below 5 MW under HIMURJA, where construction work had been stalled for an extended period. The cancelled projects will be re-advertised. It was also decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12 percent, along with an additional 1 percent for the Local Area Development Fund, to all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future.
The Cabinet approved the cancellation of 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, previously allotted by the Directorate of Energy, where implementation agreements have not been signed. For the remaining projects, a deadline of 5 August 2025 has been set for submission of replies to the notices served.
The Cabinet also decided to constitute a committee to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement regarding the refund of the principal amount of the upfront premium, without interest.
To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, it granted a one-year extension, until 16 August 2026, for land acquisition proceedings under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Additionally, the Cabinet gave its nod to the draft Development Plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district. The plan aims to conserve natural resources and scenic beauty while promoting sustainable economic development in the region.
It also approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015.
As per the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material for captive purposes during de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects. Additionally, any leftover stacked raw material or finished product, along with the entire quantity of generated material, shall be auctioned by the designated committee in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
The Cabinet also approved an increase in the number of BSc Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla, from 60 to 100. It further approved the establishment of a new nursing college to offer BSc Nursing degrees.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a nursing college with an annual intake of 60 seats at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, along with the creation and filling of 27 posts across various categories.
It further gave its nod to the reorganisation of Patwar Circle Naleti in Kangra district by excluding the areas of Mahal Masot and Balahar in Tehsil Dehra and merging them with Patwar Circle Garh under Tehsil Paragpur.
A detailed presentation was also made before the Cabinet on the issue of drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh, to highlight the challenges and the ongoing efforts being undertaken by the Excise and Taxation Department to combat the menace.
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