Himachal cabinet approves 40% subsidy for conversion of 1,000 diesel and petrol taxis into electric vehicles under Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Yojna
Shimla, Oct 25,
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has approved a major initiative to promote green mobility in the state by allowing the Transport Department to issue necessary permissions for converting 1,000 existing diesel and petrol taxis into electric taxis. The conversion will be supported with a 40 percent subsidy under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Yojna. The move aims to decarbonize public transport and create eco-friendly livelihood opportunities for small taxi operators while reducing pollution and operational costs in the hill state.
In another key decision, the Cabinet gave its nod to enhance the honorarium of Special Police Officers (SPOs) by Rs 300 per month, effective from April 1, 2025. The decision will benefit 510 SPOs across Himachal Pradesh, including 403 in non-tribal and 107 in tribal areas. The Cabinet also granted ex-post facto approval for a Rs 500 monthly increase in the honorarium of SMC teachers, including TGTs, C&V, JBTs, Lecturers, DPEs, IT and computer teachers, mid-day meal workers, and part-time water carriers, also effective from April 1, 2025, as per the Chief Minister’s earlier announcement.
The Cabinet decided to constitute a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi to finalize the draft of Model By-laws for Rural Area Development to regulate construction activities in Gram Panchayats. The committee will include Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharamani as members. The move is expected to bring better planning and environmental management in rural areas, where unregulated construction has been a growing concern.
Promoting sports and youth participation was another area of focus. The Cabinet approved the inclusion of 19 new games—such as Motor Sports, Rugby, Para Sports, Triathlon, Wushu, Kickboxing, Fencing, and Mallakhamb—under the list qualifying meritorious sportspersons for consideration for appointments to Group A, B, C, and D government posts. This decision will open up opportunities for athletes from emerging disciplines to represent the state and gain official recognition for their achievements.
To strengthen administrative efficiency, the Cabinet approved the creation of a separate State Cadre for Junior Office Assistant (IT), starting with 300 posts as Job Trainees under the Directorate of Recruitment. In the health sector, the Cabinet gave approval for the construction of the Nahan Medical College at a newly selected site and the shifting of 32 Assistant Professor posts to the Emergency Medicine departments of medical colleges, including IGMC Shimla, RPGMC Tanda, SLBSGMC Ner Chowk, and RKGMC Hamirpur. It also approved the framing of a new Resident Doctors Policy–2025 and a scheme to regulate appointments of Assistant Staff Nurses to strengthen the medical workforce and ensure timely patient care.
The Cabinet further approved amendments to the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Saur Urja Yojna, which allows bonafide Himachalis to establish ground-mounted solar power projects ranging from 100 kW to 2 MW with interest subsidies of five percent in tribal areas and four percent in non-tribal areas. The decision aims to encourage local investment in renewable energy and generate sustainable livelihoods in both rural and semi-urban regions.
In education, the Cabinet amended the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna to extend the facility of education loans at one percent interest for postgraduate studies and increased the annual family income ceiling from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. The change will enable a larger number of students to benefit from low-interest education loans and pursue higher studies without financial burden.
In a progressive step towards employee welfare, the Cabinet approved 15 days of paternity leave for male contract employees, ensuring family support and work-life balance. It also sanctioned three new government primary schools in Solan district at Haripur Sandholi-II, Surajmajra Lubana, and Chakkan in Baddi Block, fulfilling the required criteria for school openings in these areas.
The series of decisions taken by the Cabinet reflect the government’s continued focus on sustainable development, inclusive growth, and welfare-driven governance, with measures touching key sectors including transport, education, health, energy, and rural infrastructure.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
