The State Cabinet in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Dharamshala in Kangra district, decided to extend the special relief package introduced for disaster-affected families in 2023 to those impacted by the fire incident in Tandi Village in Kullu district. Under this package, affected families of Tandi village will receive Rs. 7 lakh for completely damaged houses, Rs. one lakh for partially damaged houses, and Rs. 50,000 for the loss of cowsheds.
Additionally, a monthly house rental assistance of Rs. 5,000 will be provided to the affected families until June 30, 2025. It also approved the procurement of state of art machinery and equipment for robotic surgery at AIMSS Chamiyana, Shimla, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, at a cost of Rs. 56 crore on analogy of AIIMS, New Delhi.
The cabinet approved an amendment to the previous order of the Forest Department, allowing the extraction of berberis roots (Kashmal) with a cut-off date of 15th February, 2025. Additionally, forest produce extracted from open spaces prior to January 4, 2025, will be permitted for transportation until 15th February, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the HP Forest Produce Transit (Land Routes) Rules, 2013.
It approved the establishment of a ropeway between Kullu Bus Stand and Peej Paragliding Point to provide tourists with a smooth and safe transportation facility, thereby boosting tourism in the region. It also decided to fill 9 posts of Block Development Officers in the Department of Rural Development.
Additionally, the cabinet decided to reorganize the PWD National Highway Circle Shahpur by creating two new divisions Nankhadi and Kholighat, as well as the Kharahan Section. The cabinet sanctioned the procurement of 24 air-conditioned super luxury buses for HRTC to enhance services for passengers.
It also approved 100 motorbikes to field offices of the State Taxes and Excise Department to ensure better enforcement and surprise checks. The cabinet approved a pilot study on cannabis cultivation to be jointly undertaken by Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, district Kangra and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni, district Solan. The study will evaluate and recommend the future roadmap in this matter. Additionally, the Agriculture Department was designated as the nodal department for this initiative.
It approved bringing the posts of Drivers, all Class-III and Class-IV posts in DC offices, as well as the staff posted in the offices of the three Divisional Commissioners, Director Land Records, Revenue Training Institute Jogindernagar (Mandi), Directorate of Consolidation of Holdings (Shimla), Settlement Office Kangra, and Settlement Office Shimla, under the ambit of the State Cadre. This decision aims to ensure uniformity and improve governance.
It also approved to rename Government College Seema District Shimla as Raja Virbhadra Singh Government College Seema, GGSSS, Sports Hostel (Girls) Jubbal as Sh. Ram Lal Thakur GGSSS, Sports Hostel (Girls), Jubbal in Shimla district and Government College Khad, District Una as Mohan Lal Dutt Government College Khad.
A detailed presentation was also given on the revival of stalled hydro projects and restructuring of directorates in the education department.