The North News
Shimla, March 17
The Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn cabinet rank from advisors and senior functionaries heading state commissions, corporations and other administrative bodies, according to an official order issued on Tuesday. The move means that, apart from cabinet ministers, no other appointee in the state will continue to enjoy cabinet rank.
In a communication sent to all administrative secretaries, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta said the decision had been taken to streamline “administrative protocol”. The order said the government had reviewed the status of cabinet rank granted to advisors, chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and vice chairpersons of boards, corporations and commissions, and had decided to revoke it.
It also said that 20% of their monthly emoluments would remain deferred until 30 September 2026.
Among those earlier granted cabinet rank were the chief minister’s political, media and IT advisors, as well as the chairpersons of the tourism corporation and the State Finance Commission, and the deputy chairperson of the Planning Board.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur criticised the decision, calling it a “political gimmick”.
He said the Congress government had been in power in the state for more than three years and alleged that the move came only after the party high command objected to cabinet rank being granted to officials.
