Himachal Cabinet approves Land Regularisation Policy, compassionate job review and full salary during study leave; Details Inside
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), June 6, 2026: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Friday approved a series of major policy decisions, including a new regularisation policy for certain encroachments on government land, a review of previously rejected compassionate appointment cases, and full salary benefits for government employees during study leave.
One of the Cabinet's key decisions was the approval of the Regularisation Policy-2026 for certain encroachments on government land.
The policy aims to provide relief to landless families and marginal farmers occupying government land for residential, agricultural and horticultural purposes.
The proposal has been framed in line with Supreme Court guidelines and will be sent to the Centre for approval.
In a significant relief measure, the Cabinet approved a one-time review of compassionate appointment cases that had been rejected by various departments. Eligible cases will be reassessed, and necessary relaxations may be granted where justified.
The state government also decided to provide full salary to employees availing study leave, with those who had previously taken such leave set to receive pending salary arrears.
Major Recruitment Drive Approved
The Cabinet cleared the recruitment of hundreds of posts across departments, including:
- 400 Work Inspector posts
- 300 Medical Officer posts
- 250 Multi-Task Worker/Class-IV posts
- 200 Staff Nurse posts
- 162 healthcare support posts, including Operation Theatre Assistants, Radiographers and Lab Technicians
- 75 Assistant Professor posts in government medical colleges
- 17 Assistant Professor posts in Himachal Pradesh University
The Cabinet also approved filling three Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service (HPAS) posts.
Relief for Farmers and Part-Time Workers
To support distressed farmers, the Cabinet approved an Agricultural Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme, under which the state government will bear 50 per cent of the interest liability on agricultural loans up to ₹3 lakh for eligible farmers facing the risk of land auction. The scheme is expected to benefit over 6,300 farmers.
Part-time workers who completed seven years of continuous service by March 31, 2026, will be converted into daily-wage employees. Job trainees will also be entitled to 15 days of paternity leave.
Boost for Health and Education Infrastructure
The Cabinet approved the upgradation of:
- Civil Hospital Sarkaghat from 100 to 150 beds.
- Civil Hospital Baddi into a 200-bed hospital.
- New healthcare facilities and posts were also sanctioned in Hamirpur, Kangra and Solan districts.
In higher education, the Cabinet approved the State Innovation Policy for technical institutions to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups, with an allocation of ₹2 crore for 2026-28.
Startup Scheme, Hemp Cultivation and Insurance Cover
The Cabinet approved the fourth phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-Up Yojana, offering a 50 per cent subsidy on e-buses and a 30 per cent subsidy on diesel buses for eligible beneficiaries.
It also cleared amendments to the Himachal Pradesh NDPS Rules, 1989, paving the way for regulated cultivation, processing and transportation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.
Under the revamped HIMCARE health insurance scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive enhanced coverage of up to ₹7 lakh and ₹10 lakh, replacing the previous ₹5 lakh limit.
Fire Relief Package and Other Key Decisions
A special relief package was approved for 15 fire-affected families in Shimla district, with ₹7 lakh assistance for each family whose house was completely destroyed.
The Cabinet also:
- Reduced the compounding fee for tractors transporting minerals for domestic use from ₹4,500 to ₹500.
- Approved the Grazing Policy-2026 with an online permit system.
- Granted national-level status to the Shoolini Fair and state-level recognition to several traditional fairs across the state.
- Approved the upgradation of the Thakur Ramlal Girls Sports Hostel in Jubbal into a government girls' sports school.
The wide-ranging decisions are expected to impact land reforms, employment, healthcare, education, agriculture and social welfare across Himachal Pradesh.