Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, March 7
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday approved a series of policy decisions, including proposed changes to Panchayat election rules, welfare measures and administrative reforms, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The government said it would invite objections and suggestions from the public on proposed amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. Under the proposal, Panchayats that have remained reserved for two consecutive terms since the base year of 2010 will not be reserved in the upcoming elections.
The cabinet also approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010 to clarify the definition of “destitute” and simplify the certification process for beneficiaries. Under the revised provisions, women abandoned by their husbands without any independent source of income will be classified as destitute and eligible for assistance.
Among other decisions, the cabinet agreed to allocate 40% of the Local Area Development Fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy to provide financial support to children in the state.
It also approved the cancellation of 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to begin operations despite being granted relief under a one-time amnesty scheme.
The cabinet decided to allot a 10-megawatt small hydroelectric project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, subject to the return of unused land to the state government. Himachal Pradesh will receive 13% free power and an additional 5% as its share from the project.
The government also approved the creation of a regional cooperative milk producers’ union at Dhagwar covering the districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba and Una. The National Dairy Development Board will act as administrator for the Dhagwar milk processing plant.
Other decisions included expanding heli-taxi services between Chandigarh and Shimla to 12 flights a week, providing state funds to pay outsourced staff under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and approving several recruitments across departments.
The cabinet also approved the establishment of new police and fire facilities, expansion of sports infrastructure, and the transfer of land for new Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in Kotkhai and Paonta Sahib.
In addition, the government agreed to amend the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013 to allow land to be leased for up to 80 years to the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority, doubling the previous limit of 40 years.
