Himachal Pradesh government has decided to restart operation of lotteries in the state, banned in 1999 by the then state government, to generate additional income for the state facing severe financial crunch.
The lotteries in the state were banned by the Dhumal government under immense social pressure as many youths were falling into debt trap and even committing suicides after losing huge money in the quest to earn more through daily lotteries.
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet held on Thursday at Shimla presided over by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu allowed operation of lotteries by which it expects to earn Rs 50 to Rs 100 crore annually.
The Finance Department made a detailed presentation before the Cabinet on the issue of starting operation of lotteries in the hill state to generate additional revenue. The decision has been taken on the recommendation of the Resource Mobilization committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri.
The Cabinet further recommended to the Governor to convene the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha from 18th August to 2nd September, 2025.
The State Cabinet, in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, decided to introduce OBC reservation in the upcoming Urban Local Bodies elections and constitute a Backward Classes Commission to compile accurate data of backward class population, before finalizing the reservation roster.
It also granted a one-time relaxation of two years in the upper age limit for aspirants appearing for the screening tests for TGT and JBT posts, to be conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog.
