In a significant move towards disaster recovery and public welfare, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a comprehensive special relief package for families affected by recent natural disasters across the state. This decision, taken in the cabinet meeting held on Monday, reflects the government’s commitment to providing substantial financial assistance and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of widespread devastation.
As part of the revised relief package, the compensation for a fully damaged house has been raised from ₹1.30 lakh to ₹7 lakh, marking a fivefold increase. Similarly, the aid for partially damaged houses has been hiked from ₹12,500 to ₹1 lakh. For small businesses such as shops and dhabas, the earlier compensation of ₹10,000 has been increased tenfold to ₹1 lakh. Additionally, cowsheds damaged during the disaster will now receive ₹50,000 instead of ₹10,000.
हिमाचल कैबिनेट ने आपदा राहत पैकेज को दी मंजूरी, पुनर्वास व जनकल्याण के लिए लिए कई अहम निर्णय
मुख्यमंत्री सुखविंदर सिंह सुक्खू की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित हिमाचल प्रदेश कैबिनेट बैठक में राज्य के आपदा प्रभावित परिवारों के लिए विशेष राहत पैकेज को मंजूरी दी गई। इसमें पूरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त घरों का मुआवजा ₹1.30 लाख से बढ़ाकर ₹7 लाख कर दिया गया है, वहीं आंशिक क्षति पर ₹1 लाख तक सहायता दी जाएगी। दुकानों, गौशालाओं, किरायेदारों के सामान, पशुधन, कृषि भूमि, पॉलीहाउस और फसल क्षति के लिए भी मुआवजा राशि में कई गुना बढ़ोतरी की गई है। इसके साथ ही नगर निकाय चुनाव नियमों में संशोधन, वन संवर्धन योजना, स्वास्थ्य, शिक्षा, पुलिस व प्रशासनिक क्षेत्रों में भी कई अहम फैसले लिए गए।
Tenants affected by the disaster will be granted ₹50,000 for the loss or damage of personal belongings, while house owners will be entitled to ₹70,000. The compensation for the loss of large milch animals has been increased to ₹55,000 from ₹37,500, and for small livestock like goats, pigs, sheep, and lambs, it has been revised to ₹9,000 from the earlier ₹4,000.
The government has also announced ₹25,000 for fully damaged poly-houses and ₹50,000 for the de-silting of houses. For agricultural and horticultural land damage, compensation has been enhanced from ₹3,900 per bigha to ₹10,000 per bigha. For de-silting of farmland, the relief amount has been raised from ₹1,500 to ₹6,000 per bigha. Crop damage compensation has also been significantly increased from ₹500 per bigha to ₹3,000.
The cabinet also extended heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the disasters and expressed deep gratitude to the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, State Police, Home Guards, NGOs, and volunteers who played a vital role in rescue and relief operations. It condemned the recent incident of misbehavior towards the Revenue Minister and disrespect shown to the national flag during his visit to Seraj in Mandi district, urging people to contribute generously to the Aapda Rahat Kosh, which will aid the relief operations.
Another major decision was the approval of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna, a ₹100 crore initiative to strengthen forest conservation and development through community involvement. This five-year programme will involve Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Self-Help Groups, and registered community groups in plantation efforts. Each organization will receive financial support of up to ₹1.20 lakh per hectare, including incentives based on sapling survival rates.
The Cabinet also approved critical amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Election Rules, 2015, to address procedural issues and improve electoral operations. The amendments include the introduction of a standardized format for ward publication, restrictions on changes to electoral rolls post-notification, and the transfer of authority to announce election schedules from the Deputy Commissioners to the State Election Commission. A provision has also been added allowing nominated members to take the constitutional oath alongside elected representatives.
The Cabinet gave ex-post approval to enhance seat intake in key medical technical education streams. At IGMC Shimla, seats for B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technique, B.Sc. Radiology and Imaging, and B.Sc. Anaesthesia and OT Technique will increase from 10 to 50. At RPGMC Tanda, the intake will go from 18 to 50.
Further, the Cabinet approved land allotment for a milk processing plant by HP Milkfed at Mehandali in Rohru tehsil of Shimla. A 50 percent tax concession was granted for owners scrapping Pre-BIS, BS-I, and BS-II vehicles through registered scrapping facilities. In healthcare, eight posts will be created for the Pain and Palliative Care Cell under the Radiotherapy Department at IGMC Shimla to improve patient care.
Upgradation of the Primary Health Centre at Dhaneta in Hamirpur to a Community Health Centre was approved, with the creation of necessary posts for efficient operation. A new police post will be opened at Khaira under PS Sunni, Shimla, and the jurisdiction of the Hatli police post will be transferred from Chowari to Sihunta in Chamba.
The Cabinet approved the reconstitution of the Ratti-Nagachala Special Area and Nerchowk Planning Area in Mandi and gave a nod to upgrade Jawali Nagar Panchayat in Kangra to a Municipal Council. It also approved reclassification of the Municipal Council Sunni into a Nagar Panchayat by excluding some areas. Additionally, the jurisdiction of Sub-Tehsil Lauharaghat will now fall under Nalagarh sub-division instead of Arki in Solan to improve administrative ease.
In a landmark move, the Cabinet also approved the premature release of 15 prisoners on the recommendation of the State Sentence Review Board, with a condition for monitoring post-release conduct—marking the first such step in the state.
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