Shimla, Nov 24,
In another step to intensify the fight against drugs, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved the merger of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force with the Special Task Force to form a unified agency under the Home Department. The move aims to enhance operational efficiency, streamline enforcement, and create a single specialised body to comprehensively address narcotics-related challenges across the state. The Cabinet also cleared a panchayat-wise ‘Anti-Chitta’ campaign to counter the spread of synthetic drugs at the grassroots level.
Support for small shopkeepers
The Cabinet expanded the scope of the Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojna to provide direct relief to small vendors and retail shopkeepers in urban areas with annual turnovers below Rs 10 lakh. Under the revised framework, distressed shopkeepers who have availed business loans and whose accounts have turned non-performing assets will receive a one-time settlement assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh, fully funded by the State Government.
Key approvals in disaster relief, health, policing and rural development
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also enhanced compensation for disaster-affected families, raising the amount for loss of household articles from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh. A special package of ₹7 lakh will be provided for complete house damage in fire incidents. Additionally, Rs 4.32 crore was approved for the Air Force for helicopter services during disasters.
In rural development, the government decided to reorganize Panchayats, extend MNREGA employment to 150 days, and permit the construction of retaining walls up to Rs 2 lakh for individual works.
For improving healthcare delivery, the Cabinet approved engaging 1,000 Rogi Mitras across state health institutions. It also cleared the establishment of nine super-specialty departments at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur, along with 73 teaching and resident posts. Further, 27 Senior Resident posts were sanctioned for super-specialty services at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. A new Police Post will be opened at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, Ner Chowk.
To strengthen policing, the Cabinet approved 800 new constable posts, creation of posts for a Digital Forensic Facility at Dharamsala, and five Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts. Sub Fire Centres will be opened at Kandaghat and Rajgarh with 46 posts sanctioned and four new fire tenders to be procured.
The government also sanctioned filling of 150 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts as job trainees in the Jal Shakti and Public Works Departments. Social security pensions were extended to all persons with 40 percent and above disability by removing the earlier income-related restrictions.
Infrastructure and administrative reforms included creation of a new Kanungo circle at Bankhandi, authorization to the Forest Department to issue letters of intent for mineral concessions, and reorganization of Bamson and Hamirpur Development Blocks.
Push for electric mobility and education
The Cabinet approved a 40 percent subsidy for converting 1,000 petrol and diesel taxis into electric vehicles under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna-2023 and cleared the purchase of ten electric bikes for highway patrolling.
In the education sector, Government College Hamirpur will be converted into a dedicated Science College and will start an integrated B.Ed. (B.Sc.) unit. Government Boys’ and Girls’ Senior Secondary Schools in Hamirpur will be merged into a co-educational institution from the next academic session. Four-year integrated B.Ed. programmes were approved for teacher education colleges at Dharamshala, Nadaun, Chail Koti, and Tikkar, along with a two-year B.P.Ed. programme at Saraswati Nagar. New Fine Arts subjects will be introduced at Loharab, and the Government Degree College at Haripur Guler will be converted into a Fine Arts College.
The Cabinet also allowed convening of the DPC for promotion of 805 Principals, with the Secretary Education designated to chair the committee to expedite promotions.
About the Author
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.
