Shimla, April 5,
In a major decision impacting thousands of government workers, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday approved the regularisation of all contractual employees who have completed two years of continuous service as on March 31, 2025. The Cabinet also gave the green light to regularise daily wage and contingent-paid workers with four years of continuous service.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, further approved the state government’s move to take over several major hydroelectric projects that were earlier allotted to central PSUs. These include the 382 MW Sunni, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh projects from SJVNL, along with the 500 MW Dugar and 180 MW Baira Suil projects from NHPC.
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To facilitate the transfer of the Sunni, Luhri Stage-I, Dhaulasidh, and Dugar projects, the Cabinet sanctioned the appointment of an independent evaluator to assess the actual expenditure incurred so far. For the takeover of the Baira Suil project, an Administrator will be appointed.
Healthcare Sector Receives a Boost
The Cabinet accorded approval for two new 50-bedded Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) – one at PHC Swahan (Regional Hospital Bilaspur) and another at Civil Hospital Rohru in Shimla district. It also approved the establishment of District Integrated Public Health Laboratories at Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, and at District Hospital Hamirpur, in association with Dr. Radha Krishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.
Further, funds were sanctioned for the procurement of medical equipment for the under-construction Mother and Child Hospital wings at Kamla Nehru Hospital Shimla, Regional Hospital Una, and Civil Hospital Sundernagar in Mandi district.
Stipend Hike for Medical Professionals
To attract and retain medical professionals, the Cabinet approved a hike in monthly stipends. Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists will now receive ₹1,00,000 per month, up from the current ₹60,000–65,000. Super Specialists and Senior Residents (Super Specialists) will receive ₹1,30,000.
Wider Access to Free Diagnostics
Acting on recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Health Minister Col. (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, the Cabinet approved the extension of free diagnostic services—including 133 lab tests and X-ray facilities—to three new beneficiary categories: orphans, widows and their dependent children, Ekal Nari, and destitute women. This expands the number of eligible categories from 11 to 14.
Other Key Decisions include the re-auctioning of nearly 400 unsold retail liquor vends. A management services contract will be signed with EIH Ltd for the interim operation of Hotel Wildflower Hall, Mashobra, ensuring ₹1.77 crore in monthly revenue to the state until a new operator is selected.
To promote electric mobility, 402 new EV charging stations will be set up at government buildings across the state. The Himachal Pradesh Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985, will now be implemented in all remaining Urban Local Bodies to regulate public advertisements.
Approval was given to make Atal Adarsh Vidyalay Marhi in Mandi district functional from the 2025–26 academic session.
