The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved a series of major decisions on Saturday to boost public services and streamline governance across the state.
Among the key announcements was the green light for recruiting 700 Home Guard Volunteers in the Department of Home Guards and Civil Defence, aimed at enhancing disaster response and community safety. The Cabinet approved the regularisation of 203 Panchayat Secretaries (Zila Parishad cadre) who have completed two years of contractual service as of March 31, 2025.
A notable reform in the health sector saw amendments to the Postgraduate/Super Specialty (PG/SS) policy. The Cabinet removed the mandatory one-year field posting prior to eligibility for senior residency at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda. The move aligns the institutions with the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities, Chamiyana, streamlining the recruitment process for resident doctors.
In administrative restructuring, the Cabinet approved the relocation of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) office from Shimla to Dharamshala.
To tackle plastic and non-biodegradable waste, a Deposit Refund Scheme-2025 will be launched on a pilot basis. Consumers will pay a refundable deposit on packaging—such as glass bottles, plastic containers, cans, and cartons—returned upon recycling.
The Cabinet also gave in-principle approval to restart the De-novo Reservation Roster for Panchayati Raj members and chairpersons based on the 2010 guidelines.
For improved educational administration, a new elementary education block will be established at Baddi by bifurcating the existing Ramshehar block in Solan district. Required staff positions will be sanctioned.
Additionally, reorganisation of blocks in Kangra (Sulah, Bhawarna, Lambagaon) and Hamirpur (Bhoranj) districts was approved to enhance governance and administrative accessibility.
The Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation has also been authorised to carry out collection and dredging of minor minerals from rivers and ponds in forest areas—aimed at sustainable resource utilisation and environmental balance.
These wide-ranging decisions reflect the Sukhu government's focus on employment generation, administrative efficiency, environmental sustainability, and healthcare reform.
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