Himachal Pradesh Implements New Recruitment Policy Favoring Local Youth
New Recruitment Rules in Himachal Pradesh
SHIMLA: In a significant policy change aimed at empowering local youth, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has introduced a new recruitment regulation that prohibits non-residents from applying for Group-C government positions.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting in Shimla, where it was revealed that all Level-11 positions, which were previously classified as Group-B, will now be reclassified as Group-C. Consequently, only genuine residents of Himachal Pradesh will be eligible for these roles, which were formerly accessible to candidates from across India via the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
With this reclassification, the recruitment process will now be managed by the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission, adhering to Group-C standards that prioritize local applicants.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved an increase in the monthly honorarium for approximately 5,000 multi-task workers in the Public Works Department, raising their salaries from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500. To support rural dairy farmers, a new milk incentive program was also introduced.
This initiative will provide milk producers supplying to non-government dairy cooperatives with a subsidy of Rs 3 per liter, which will be directly deposited into their bank accounts through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system.
Another significant decision was the relocation of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) headquarters from Shimla to Dharamshala. This move is part of the state's long-term vision to establish Kangra as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh while alleviating congestion in Shimla.
The Cabinet believes this transition will enhance tourism infrastructure in the lower hill regions and reduce the administrative burden on the state capital.
In law enforcement, the Cabinet approved the creation of 101 new positions across various categories for the police lines in the Dehra subdivision. The meeting also placed a strong emphasis on renewable energy and self-employment opportunities, endorsing an interest subsidy scheme for solar power initiatives.
In tribal areas, solar projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW will qualify for a 5% interest subsidy. In non-tribal regions, projects between 250 KW and 2 megawatts will receive a 4% subsidy, aimed at decreasing reliance on conventional energy sources.
Furthermore, the state has sanctioned a memorandum of understanding between HIMURJA and selected panchayats to establish 500-KW solar plants in 100 villages. Each project is anticipated to generate around Rs 25 lakh in monthly revenue.
The revenue will be allocated as follows: 30% to HIMURJA, 20% to the state government, and 40% to the respective panchayats. An additional 10% of the income will be dedicated to the welfare of orphans and widows, reinforcing the state's commitment to inclusive development.