The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, met in Shimla on Thursday and paid homage to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh by observing two minutes of silence in his memory.
Acknowledging Dr. Singh’s significant contributions to India and Himachal Pradesh, the Cabinet highlighted key projects realized during his leadership, such as the Atal Tunnel, IIT Mandi, IIIT Una, and NIFT Kangra. As a mark of respect, the Cabinet approved renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Shimla, as the Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration.
Key Decisions Taken:
- Support for Vulnerable Families:
- The Cabinet approved the inclusion of families with no adult members between 18–59 years, women-headed households, and families with members suffering from chronic illnesses like cancer and muscular dystrophy in the BPL (Below Poverty Line) list.
- Drug Abuse and Trafficking:
- A Special Task Force will be established to combat drug abuse and dismantle trafficking networks.
- Stamp Duty Rate:
- The Cabinet approved a uniform stamp duty rate of 12% for specific transactions.
- Tree Felling Regulations:
- A ban on tree felling, except for safeda (eucalyptus), poplar, and bamboo, was instituted, along with stricter regulations for khair tree felling under the 10-year rule.
- Kishau Multipurpose Project:
- The Cabinet urged the Central Government to adopt a 90:10 funding formula for the project’s power component or provide a 50-year interest-free loan.
- Energy Oversight and Green Initiatives:
- The Department of Energy will oversee hydro and solar power projects above 5 MW, including green hydrogen, biomass, and pumped storage projects.
- Approval was granted for a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Project in Nalagarh to be executed by HPPCL.
- Administrative Upgrades:
- Ten posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) will be created for the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
- Sub Tehsil Panchrukhi in Kangra district will be upgraded to a full Tehsil.
- New Sub Tehsils will be established in Dhamwari (Shimla), Saho (Chamba), and Chachiyan (Kangra).
- Water Data Management:
- The establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Water Informatics Centre was approved to consolidate and disseminate water-related data.
