Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves New Initiatives for Women and Agriculture
Key Decisions from the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Meeting
SHIMLA: During a meeting led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on May 6, 2025, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet made significant decisions, including the inclusion of domestic working women in the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Women who have worked for at least 100 days as domestic help, along with their daughters aged 21 and older, will now qualify for a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 under this scheme.
The cabinet also approved an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for organically grown crops. The MSP for wheat has been raised from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg, while maize will see an increase from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg.
Pangi Declared as the First Natural Farming Sub-Division
Furthermore, the cabinet set the MSP for naturally grown raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg and barley from the Pangi block in Chamba district at Rs 60 per kg. Pangi has been officially designated as the state's first natural farming sub-division.
The cabinet approved the allocation of 422 stage carriage routes to private operators, aiming to enhance transport services and create self-employment opportunities for local youth.
To tackle roadside parking issues, the cabinet agreed to utilize a feasible closed basement floor for parking. Any misuse of this designated area will incur heavy penalties.
New Medical Departments to Launch at Hamirpur Hospital
In a move to improve healthcare, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of nephrology, neurology, and gastroenterology departments at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur, along with the creation of 118 positions to support these departments.
Additionally, 43 technical vacancies will be filled across various Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the state. A new division of the Jal Shakti Vibhag will also be opened in Sujanpur, Hamirpur district.
The cabinet introduced a new Home Stay Policy, setting the registration fee for homestays in Pangi sub-division at 50% of the standard rate.
Moreover, the Ayurvedic Health Centre at Kosari in the Jaisinghpur Assembly segment of Kangra district will be upgraded to a 10-bedded Ayurvedic Hospital, with necessary posts created and filled.
The Primary Health Centre at Panjawar in Una district will also be upgraded to a Community Health Centre, with staffing to be arranged accordingly.
Residents of the newly formed 14 nagar panchayats and merged areas of upgraded municipal corporations in Hamirpur, Una, and Baddi will receive relief in water tariffs, maintaining rural rates for the next three years.
The cabinet approved the merger of seven state-of-the-art ITIs with existing ITIs across the state, including several women’s ITIs, to streamline vocational training.