States » NorthPosted at: Nov 13 2026 8:49PM


Himachal Cabinet clears Rs 1,500 monthly aid for women, 300 units of free power

Shimla, Nov 13 (UNI)Moving towards fulfilment of a key Congress manifesto promise, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Friday approved the launch of the ‘Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, under which eligible women aged 18 to 59 years will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500, along with 300 units of free electricity for beneficiary families.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. A total of 3.50 lakh eligible women have been identified under the scheme. The government has already enhanced the monthly assistance for women above 59 years from Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,500. The Cabinet also approved a uniform policy for fixing and periodically revising rates for the sale of surplus raw water to neighbouring states, government agencies and industries.
An initial benchmark rate of Rs 100 per 1,000 cubic feet will apply to all existing and future state projects, including inter-state water projects, with revisions linked to the Wholesale Price Index.
It also cleared the launch of the ‘Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026’ across all 12 districts to engage youth in sports and strengthen efforts against drug abuse.
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021, providing for 50 per cent free power royalty for the first ten years after completion of 40 years of operation of commissioned projects of Central Public Sector Undertakings. These projects will be transferred to the state government free of cost after 50 years of commissioning. Allotments of 222 solar power projects were cancelled due to prolonged non-implementation, while 13 hydroelectric projects above 25 MW were cancelled for non-compliance with policy provisions.
The Cabinet also approved re-bidding of 20 projects. To promote passenger transport, the subsidy for purchasing diesel buses under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana, 2023, was enhanced from 30 to 40 per cent for identified intra-sub-division routes.
A 50 per cent subsidy for electric buses and 40 per cent for diesel buses with seating capacity exceeding 10 passengers was also approved for routes connecting Hamirpur Bus Stand with Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Jolsapper, and the New OPD at IGMC Shimla with Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality, Chamiyana.
The minimum support price for naturally grown ginger was increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg, while procurement rates for C-grade apple under the Market Intervention Scheme were raised from Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg.
In the health sector, the Cabinet approved engagement of 1,000 Rogi Mitras and creation and filling of 561 Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts in government medical and dental colleges and the Directorate of Medical Education for implementing the Hospital Management Information System. Data Entry Operators will also be engaged for the system.
Monthly remuneration of outsourced perfusionists in government medical colleges was increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000. It also approved the creation of Geriatric Medicine departments, along with faculty and Senior Resident posts, at IGMC Shimla, Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk.
Requisite posts were sanctioned for the Mother and Child Hospital wing at Civil Hospital Nurpur and nine faculty posts at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.
The Cabinet granted a one-time relaxation in recruitment rules to conduct the written examination for police constable recruitment in offline mode.
It also approved filling 20 JOA (IT) posts in the Rural Development Department, 15 Stenographer Grade-III posts in various courts and requisite posts in upgraded hospitals at Haripurdhar and Kotkhai.
Police Post Baroh in Kangra district will be upgraded to a police station, while a police post will be opened at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.
Other decisions included filling five posts in the Treasuries, Accounts and Lotteries Department and three posts under the four per cent quota for persons with disabilities in the Youth Services and Sports Department.
The Cabinet approved the Registration Sewa Kendra Project, modelled on Passport Seva Kendras, in Solan, Shimla, Kangra and Sirmaur districts in the first phase.
It also approved leasing 2.26 hectares for a Central School at Ghumarwin, upgrading the Phul Yatra Mela in Pangi to a state-level fair and establishing an office of Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) at Dadasiba in Kangra district.
UNI BN
Tags: #Himachal Cabinet clears Rs 1#500 monthly aid for women# 300 units of free power
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