Himachal Cabinet clears slew of decisions; approves NPA for super-specialist doctors

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved the Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) for super-specialist doctors having recognised post-doctoral qualifications and serving under the Department of Medical Education and Research. It also approved an increase in the stipend of Post Graduate students serving under the Department of Medical Education, a statement issued here said.

Under the revised rates, first-year students will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 instead of Rs 40,000, second-year students will receive Rs 60,000 instead of Rs 45,000 and third-year students will receive Rs 65,000 in place of R 50,000.

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also gave its approval for filling of over 1000 posts of various categories in fisheries, Panchayati Raj, education, sports, police, tribal development, planning, economics and statistics and other departments.

The Cabinet granted permission for the development of Jathia Devi Mountain City, Shimla Hills and approved the empanelment of Legal Volunteers at police stations to monitor cases relating to missing children.

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Amendments in Mid-Day Meal Scheme for Nursery to Class 8 students

It approved amendments to the Mukhya Mantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, under which students from Nursery to Class VIII in all Government schools will be provided either a boiled egg or a seasonal fruit twice a week under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

It decided to enhance the cash prize of awardee teachers under the Teacher Award Policy, from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, while for state awardees, it has been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The Cabinet also increased the monthly honorarium of Nambardars by Rs 500 and for ASHA workers under the health department by Rs 1000.

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Post Graduate and Super-Speciality (PG/SS) Policy of the Department of Medical Education. Under the revised policy, General Duty Officers and direct candidates who, after obtaining their postgraduate degree, opt to serve as Senior Residents at Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiyana, or in Radiodiagnosis at State medical colleges Tanda, Hamirpur, Mandi, Chamba, Nahan, other than IGMC, Shimla, will be exempted from the mandatory field posting requirement.

The period of service rendered at AIMSS, Chamiyana, and in the Radiodiagnosis speciality at other State medical colleges, excluding IGMC, Shimla, will be treated as field posting for the purposes of the policy.

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Himachal govt to set up All India Institute of Ayurveda soon

This provision will remain in force for six years. It was also decided to establish an All India Institute of Ayurveda at Dhaneta in the Nadaun area of Hamirpur district, for which 75 acres of land has been identified. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park at Nadaun.

It also approved placing part-time Panchayat Chowkidars, who have completed 12 years or more of continuous service between August 31, 2022 and March 31, 2026, on daily-wage remuneration in place of the existing fixed monthly honorarium.

It further approved the Road Safety Audit Policy aimed at minimising the risk of crashes on new road projects, as well as existing roads and reducing the severity of accidents where they occur or are likely to occur.

The Cabinet also approved the procurement and distribution of fishing boats for fishermen with a 70 per cent subsidy through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism during the financial year 2026-27.

The Cabinet also gave nod to establish post-harvest infrastructure and cold chain facilities by providing a 70 per cent subsidy through direct bank transfer (DBT) for the setting up of 20 cold storage units (5 MT capacity), 10 freeze-dry units and 20 refrigerated vans for eligible beneficiaries.

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Age relaxation for constable posts in Himachal Police Department

The Cabinet decided to launch the Mukhya Mantri Machhuara Samman Nidhi Scheme, under which eligible reservoir fishermen families will be provided financial assistance of Rs 3,500 during the annual closed fishing season. It also decided to engage 3,950 personnel, comprising one Chowkidar and one Multi-Task Worker each, in 1,975 Government Senior Secondary Schools across the State.

The Cabinet further approved the amendment of the age eligibility criteria under the E-Taxi Component of the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-up Yojana, enhancing the upper age limit from 45 years to 50 years while retaining the lower age limit of 23 years.

It also empowered the Rogi Kalyan Samitis of the concerned health institutions to utilise 70 per cent of the income generated through diagnostic tests and procedure fees for sanitation and procurement of reagents, whereas for health institutions below district hospitals, it will be 100 per cent.

It further decided to grant a one-time relaxation of one year in the upper age limit for candidates applying for the recruitment of 800 posts of Constable in the Police Department. The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model to implement energy-efficiency measures in the water supply, irrigation and sewerage pumping schemes of the Jal Shakti Vibhag.