In a meeting convened today in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, made crucial decisions aimed at enhancing public welfare. Among these was the approval of the Toll Tax Barrier Policy for the fiscal year 2026-27, as well as the Excise Policy for the same period. This meeting is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to address various public needs and streamline administrative functions.
Maternity Leave Extension for Home Guard Volunteers
The Cabinet has agreed to extend maternity leave to female Home Guard volunteers, granting them 26 weeks of paid leave. This decision underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting women in public service roles and promoting gender equity within the workforce.
Amendments to Educational Assistance Schemes
Significant amendments were made to the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana,’ which aims to provide financial aid to daughters of widows pursuing professional courses in government institutions both within and outside Himachal Pradesh. Beneficiaries will also qualify for a monthly rent assistance of Rs 3,000 if hostel accommodations are not available to them.
Initiatives for Nutritional Improvement
The Cabinet approved the launch of the ‘Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana,’ designed to enhance the nutritional status of children under six, expectant women, and breastfeeding mothers by offering enhanced supplementary nutrition. This initiative seeks to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in the state.
Increased Financial Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
A key decision to increase the marriage grant for persons with disabilities was also made. The financial assistance for individuals with disabilities exceeding 70 percent has been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh. Meanwhile, those with disabilities between 40 and 70 percent are set to receive Rs 25,000.
Creation of Teaching Posts in Schools
The Cabinet has approved the establishment of 600 teaching posts, including Sanskrit, Physical Education, Music, and Drawing Teachers, exclusively for proposed Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools. These positions are expected to be filled through the Rajya Chayan Aayog. Furthermore, the merging of 31 boys’ and girls’ schools across Himachal Pradesh into co-educational institutions was also approved.
Healthcare Modernization Initiatives
Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned a project to modernize medical colleges, super-specialty hospitals, and Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, with a total investment of Rs 1,617.40 crore. This initiative aims to bolster healthcare services within the state, allowing residents to access quality medical care without needing to travel outside the region for treatment.
Procurement of Medical Equipment
As part of efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the procurement of modern equipment for several hospitals, including the Mother and Child Hospital at Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla, and Civil Hospitals at Sundernagar and Nurpur, among others. This initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in the state.
Standard Operating Procedures for Road Repairs
Finally, the Cabinet established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the maintenance of potholes and patch repairs on bituminous and flexible pavements across Himachal Pradesh. This operation is intended to ensure that road repairs adhere to national standards while fostering a transparent service framework.
