Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Himachal Cabinet Decisions: In-principle approval to legalize cannabis cultivation, robotic surgery in three medical colleges, 100 motorcycles to the excise department
Babushahi Bureau
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), January 24, 2025: Himachal Pradesh (HP) Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu today chaired the State Cabinet meeting held at Dharamshala in Kangra district.
The Cabinet decided to provide a special relief package for disaster-affected families in the year 2023 to the families affected by the fire incident in Tandi village of Kullu district.
Under the package, the affected families of Tandi village will be provided Rs 7 lakh for completely damaged houses, Rs 1 lakh for partially damaged houses and Rs 50,000 for damage to cow sheds. Additionally, the affected families will be provided monthly assistance of Rs 5,000 for payment of house rent till June 30, 2025.
The Cabinet also approved the procurement of state-of-the-art machinery and equipment for robotic surgery at Atal Super Speciality Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMSS) Chamiyana and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda, Kangra on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi at a cost of Rs 56 crore.
The Cabinet approved the amendment in the previous order of the Forest Department, allowing the extraction of Kashmir roots with a cut-off date of February 15, 2025.
In addition, permission was granted till February 15, 2025 for transportation of forest produce extracted from open spaces before January 4, 2025 as per the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Produce Transit (Land Routes) Rules, 2013.
In order to provide accessible and safe transport facility to the tourists, setting up of a ropeway between Kullu Bus Stand and Pij Paragliding Point was approved in the meeting, which will boost tourism activities in the region.
The cabinet also approved the filling of 9 posts of Block Development Officers in the Rural Development Department. In the meeting, it was decided to reorganize the Public Works Department National Highway Circle Shahpur by creating two new divisions Nankhari and Kholighat along with Kharahan section.
The Cabinet approved the purchase of 24 air-conditioned super luxury buses for Himachal Road Transport Corporation for the convenience of passengers.
The Cabinet also approved providing 100 motorcycles to the regional offices of the State Tax and Excise Department to ensure better enforcement and surprise inspections.
The Cabinet approved a pilot study on hemp cultivation jointly by Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Agricultural University, Palampur, District Kangra and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, District Solan. This study will evaluate and recommend future framework regarding hemp cultivation. Further, the Department of Agriculture was designated as the nodal department for this initiative.
The Cabinet approved bringing the employees posted in the offices of Deputy Commissioners including Drivers, all Class III and Class IV posts as well as three Divisional Commissioners, Director Land Records, Revenue Training Institute Jogindernagar (Mandi), Directorate of Land Consolidation (Shimla), Settlement Office Kangra and Settlement Office Shimla under the State Cadre.
The decision is aimed at improving the functioning of the administration by ensuring uniformity. The meeting also approved the naming of Government College Seema in District Shimla as Raja Virbhadra Singh Government College Seema, GGSSS, Sports Hostel (Girls) Jubbal as Shri Ramlal Thakur GGSSS Sports Hostel (Girls) and naming of Government College Khadd in District Una as Mohan Lal Dutt Government College Khadd.
A detailed presentation was also made in the meeting on starting the stalled hydropower projects and reorganizing the directorates of the Education Department. (SBP)