Read all HP Cabinet Decisions January 9 (2025)
Shimla, January 9, 2025 – The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, convened today and made several significant decisions.
Tributes to Dr. Manmohan Singh
The Cabinet paid homage to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, recognizing his remarkable contributions to India and Himachal Pradesh. Projects like the Atal Tunnel, IIT Mandi, IIIT Una, and the Central University in Kangra were attributed to his visionary leadership.
To honor his legacy, the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) will now be named the Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration.
Welfare Measures
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Revised BPL Inclusion Criteria
Families with no adult members aged 18-59, female-headed households, families of individuals with 50% disabilities, and households suffering from chronic illnesses will now qualify for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list.
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‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ Program
Guidelines for this initiative aim to address grievances of people in remote areas effectively.
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New Tehsil and Sub-Tehsil Facilities
- Tehsil Upgradation: Panchrukhi in Kangra district has been upgraded to a Tehsil.
- New Sub-Tehsils: Sub-Tehsils have been approved in Dhamwari (Shimla), Saho (Chamba), and Chachiyan (Kangra).
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Education Initiatives
- Creation of the Block Primary Education Office in Rohnat by bifurcating Shilai in Sirmaur district.
- Recruitment of 10 Junior Office Assistants (IT) for Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
Environmental Protection
- The area around Tara Devi Temple in Shimla has been declared a Green Area to minimize human intervention.
Energy and Development Projects
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Renewable Energy Expansion
- Approval of a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Project in Nalagarh.
- Introduction of Green Energy Development Charges for Pumped Storage Projects.
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Hydro and Solar Power Projects
- The Department of Energy will oversee the allotment and monitoring of projects above 5 MW, including solar and green hydrogen initiatives.
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Water Management
- Establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Water Informatics Centre to consolidate water-related data and improve management.
Tax and Legal Reforms
- Introduction of the Himachal Pradesh Sadbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme 2025, focusing on resolving pending VAT, CST, and entry tax cases.
- Amendments to the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 to standardize stamp duty at 12% for specific transactions.
Infrastructure and Fair Upgradation
- Approval of the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority Land Pooling Policy-2025.
- Declaration of Rathal Jatar Mela (Bhaular) in Shimla district as a district-level fair.
Drug Abuse Mitigation
- Creation of a Special Task Force to combat drug abuse, dismantle trafficking networks, and address organized crime comprehensively.
The decisions reflect the government’s focus on governance reforms, environmental sustainability, social welfare, and economic development.