Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approves new initiatives to boost development and improve people’s lives

In a recent State Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, several pivotal decisions were made to address a range of issues and enhance governance in the state. Notable among these decisions is the approval of the ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme by the Forest Department, which aims to strengthen community participation in the conservation and development of forest areas. The cabinet also greenlit the filling of 100 vacant Forest Guard positions on a contractual basis. In addition to these forestry initiatives, the government increased the honorarium for various roles within the Jal Shakti Vibhag, sanctioned a passenger ropeway system to facilitate pilgrims, and introduced measures to promote amateur and community radios for effective communication during emergencies. Furthermore, changes to tax rates, transport routes, and construction regulations were also on the agenda, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to address the state’s diverse needs and challenges.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves New Initiatives to Improve Lives of People

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved a number of new initiatives, including the Van Mitra Scheme, increased honorarium for Jal Rakshaks, Multi Purpose Workers, para fitters, and para pump operators, Chintpurni passenger ropeway system, hiring of e-taxis, promotion of Amateur and Community Radios, reduced Additional Goods Tax on lead, grant of new routes for private operators and tempo travelers, designated authority to compound offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, increased land grant for the homeless, and Special Relief Package for disaster-affected families.

• Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves New Initiatives
  • Increased Honorarium for Jal Rakshaks, Multi Purpose Workers, Para Fitters, and Para Pump Operators
  • Chintpurni Passenger Ropeway System
  • Hiring of E-Taxis
  • Promotion of Amateur and Community Radios
  • Reduced Additional Goods Tax on Lead
  • Grant of New Routes for Private Operators and Tempo Travelers
  • Designated Authority to Compound Offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988
  • Increased Land Grant for the Homeless
  • Special Relief Package for Disaster-Affected Families
  • Amendment to the Shimla Development Plan
  • Amendment to H.P. Town and Country Planning Rules

The State Cabinet of Himachal Pradesh has approved a number of new initiatives, including the following:

• Van Mitra Scheme: This scheme will engage one ‘Van Mitra’ each in 2061 Forest Beats to strengthen the participation of local communities in the protection, conservation, and development of forest areas.
• Increased honorarium for Jal Rakshaks, Multi Purpose Workers, para fitters, and para pump operators: The honorarium of these workers has been increased by Rs. 500 per month, bringing it up to Rs. 5000, Rs. 4400, Rs. 6000, and Rs. 6000 respectively.
• Chintpurni passenger ropeway system: The Cabinet has approved in principle the establishment of a passenger ropeway system from Chintpurni Baba Mai Dass Bhawan Parking to Chintpurni Temple in PPP mode at a cost of Rs. 76.50 crore.
• Hiring of e-taxis: The Cabinet has approved the hiring of 15 e-taxis in the Transport Department.
• Promotion of Amateur and Community Radios: The Cabinet has decided to promote Amateur and Community Radios for ‘Alternate Communication during emergencies in all districts of the State.
• Reduced Additional Goods Tax on lead: The Cabinet has reduced the Additional Goods Tax on lead by 25 paise per kg.
• Grant of new routes for private operators and tempo travelers: The Cabinet has granted 234 routes for private operators and additional 100 routes for tempo travelers to provide better transport facilities to the people of the State.
• Designated authority to compound offences under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988: The Cabinet has declared Traffic Inspectors, Motor Vehicles Inspectors, Senior Motor Vehicle Inspectors of the Transport department, and Assistant Sub Inspector and Head Constable of the Police Department as designated authority to compound the offences under various Sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
• Increased land grant for the homeless: The Cabinet has decided to provide two Biswas of land in urban areas and three Biswas of land in rural areas to those who have been rendered homeless and those who are not left with the land suitable for construction of new houses.
• Special Relief Package for disaster-affected families: The Cabinet has approved a Special Relief Package for the disaster-affected families in the State. Under the Special Package, the compensation for a completely damaged house would be increased from Rs. 1.30 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh. The compensation for partial damage to a ‘kutcha’ house has been increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, while the compensation for partial damage to a ‘pucca’ house has been increased from Rs 6500 to Rs. 1 lakh. The compensation for damage to a shop or dhaba has been increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. The state government will also provide increased financial assistance of Rs. 50 thousand instead of Rs. 3000 for damage to the cowshed. The state government will provide assistance of Rs. 50 thousand for damage or loss to the belongings of the tenants. For the loss of large milch and draught animal’s compensation of Rs. 55000 and for goat, pig, sheep and lamb Rs. 6000 per animal compensation would be provided. The compensation for damage to agricultural and horticultural land has been increased from Rs. 3615 per bigha to Rs. 10 thousand. The compensation on crop loss has been increased from Rs. 500 per bigha to Rs.4000. The financial assistance for removing silt from agricultural and horticultural land has been enhanced from Rs. 1384.61 per bigha to Rs. 5000. This special package would be granted from 24th June, 2023 to 30th September, 2023.
• Amendment to the Shimla Development Plan: The Cabinet has decided to amend the Shimla Development Plan and construction would be permitted in green belt area lying above the road, from Navbahar to Ram Chandra Chowk to Machhiwali Kothi to Christ Church to Lakkar Bazar to IGMC to Sanjauli Chowk to Navbhar where there are no trees. Residential construction in the Green Belt area as per Shimla Development Plan will be permitted only on those plots in which there are no trees.
• Amendment to H.P. Town and Country Planning Rules: The Cabinet has decided to amend H.P. Town and Country Planning Rules to allow construction at a distance of 5 meters and 7 meters from Nallah and khad respectively.

These initiatives are aimed at improving the lives of the people of Himachal Pradesh in a number of ways,

• Himachal Pradesh
• Cabinet
• approves
• new initiatives
• boost development
• improve people’s lives