Himachal Cabinet Approves Major Recruitment, Health Boost, Township, and Skill Development Projects

CM Sukhu-led meeting clears over 800 new posts, new university, and multiple infrastructure initiatives

Shimla, Dec 30

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved several measures today aimed at strengthening the state’s health, education, and infrastructure sectors.

To boost the healthcare system, the Cabinet approved creation of 53 posts of Assistant Professors and 121 posts of various categories, including teaching, non-teaching, and paramedical staff across all government medical colleges. It also sanctioned 600 new posts of Assistant Staff Nurses through the HP Rajya Chayan Aayog under the Assistant Staff Nursing Policy. In an incentive move, faculty doctors holding DoM and MCh qualifications will receive 20% of basic pay as additional incentive.

The Cabinet cleared recruitment for 40 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts in Jal Shakti Vibhag, and 10 Block Development Officers through direct recruitment in the Rural Development Department. In a major education reform, a dedicated Sub Cadre for CBSE schools will be created in 100 identified institutions with clear norms for recruitment, training, and performance evaluation.

The meeting also expanded the scope of the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Yojna, bringing under its ambit children studying in Tong-Len School, Dharamshala, and those of disabled or deceased parents left to grow on their own.

New Township, Real Estate and Infrastructure Initiatives

A major highlight was the approval to develop a world-class township at Shitalpur, on the Himachal–Chandigarh border. The Cabinet amended Rule-3 of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, to ensure greater transparency and faster dispute resolution in the real estate sector.

The building of the Skill Development Institution at Palkwah Khas (Una) will now be utilized for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) headquarters.

The Cabinet also cleared a project under the Pastoralists Employment in Himalayan Ecosystems for Livelihoods (PEHEL), focusing on sustainable pastoralism, rural economy, and the livelihoods of Himalayan shepherds.

Dairy, Transport, and Employment Initiatives

MILKFED will establish Milk Processing Plants at Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru, along with chilling and cooling centres in several districts. A cash credit limit of ₹60 crore has been approved for MILKFED to manage increased procurement costs, and a separate milk cess account will be opened to ensure regular farmer payments.

The government also sanctioned purchase subsidy support for 18 to 42-seater buses under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojna to promote rural transport entrepreneurship.

New University and Policy Revisions

A new University of Multidisciplinary Institute of Innovation, Skill, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Research (MIISTER) will be set up at Ghumarwin (Bilaspur) under a PPP model to nurture a future-ready digital and entrepreneurial workforce.

Cabinet also approved amendments in the Himachal Pradesh Land Preservation Act, 1978, allowing regulated felling of dried chir trees with approval from competent authorities.

Under the Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukandar Sukh Kalyan Yojna (Shahri), small shopkeepers whose business loans up to ₹2 lakh have turned NPAs will now be eligible for one-time settlement assistance up to ₹1 lakh from the State.

Other key decisions include shifting the HP State Commission for Backward Classes headquarters to Dharamshala, setting up a Drug De-addiction Centre at Malot, Indora (Kangra), and granting relaxation for ongoing Lok Bhawan projects under the Mukhya Mantri Lok Bhawan Yojna.

Energy, Disaster, and Development Projects

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy-2021, extending free power royalty relaxation up to 25 MW projects and approved reallocation of equity power share in SJVNL projects to the state government.

It also cleared the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Project, worth ₹892 crore, in collaboration with the French Development Agency.

Finally, 28 candidates were approved for compassionate employment in the Education Department, while plans for modern commercial complexes in Ghumarwin (Bilaspur) were also given the go-ahead.