Vishal Rana, Hamirpur

In a significant move, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to install Tesla MRI machines at the Hamirpur Medical College and in other two hospitals. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Other Key Cabinet Decisions:

Chief Minister Sukh Shiksha Yojana: The cabinet approved the implementation of the ‘Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana,’ aimed at providing financial assistance to widows, destitute women, divorced women, and parents with disabilities. Under this scheme, eligible children will receive a monthly grant of ₹1,000 until they reach the age of 18, covering their educational, healthcare, and nutritional needs. The scheme also includes financial aid for tuition and hostel expenses for undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses.

Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-Up Scheme 2023: The cabinet greenlit the provision of a 10% margin money deposit for purchasing e-taxis under this scheme. Additionally, a 50% subsidy will be provided within three months of the bank’s loan disbursement. UCO Bank has been designated as the nodal bank for loan approval, while Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank and Kangra Central Cooperative Bank have been chosen as preferred banks. Beneficiaries will be able to avail loans at an annual interest rate of 7.9%.

Educational Age Relaxation: The cabinet approved a six-month age relaxation for children already enrolled in nursery, LKG, and UKG for the academic year 2023-24, allowing them to progress to higher classes, including Class 1.

Travel Concessions for Security Personnel: The monthly travel fee for inspectors, jail officers (non-gazetted ranks), and security guards of the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat traveling in HRTC buses has been increased from ₹110 to ₹500.

New Police Offices and Posts: The cabinet decided to establish a new sub-divisional police office in Dadasiba, Kangra district, and a police post in Alampur. Additionally, the police posts in Sansarpur Terrace and Moin will be upgraded to police stations. The necessary positions for these offices will also be created and filled.

Jal Shakti Circle Office in Dehra: A new Circle Office of the Jal Shakti Department will be opened in Dehra, Kangra district. To ensure smooth operations, the cabinet has approved the creation and filling of the required positions.

New Sub-Divisions in Una District: The cabinet approved the establishment of a new sub-division and section of the Jal Shakti Department in Khad, Haroli Assembly segment of Una district. Additionally, a new sub-division of the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department will be opened in Khad, with the necessary positions created and filled.

Fire Station in Kotkhai: A fire station will be established in Ubadesh, Kotkhai region of Shimla district. The required positions will be created and filled for its operation.

Appointments at Medical Colleges: The cabinet approved the filling of one Assistant Professor post each in the ENT and Psychiatry departments at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan. Furthermore, the purchase of three Tesla MRI machines for Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Atal Super Specialty Medical Institute Chamiyana, and Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur was sanctioned. The cabinet also decided to procure two electric vehicles for emergency services at Atal Super Specialty Medical Institute Chamiyana and IGMC Shimla.

Relief for Power Sector Entrepreneurs: The cabinet reviewed and adjusted the free electricity royalty slabs to 12%, 18%, and 30%, down from the previous 20%, 30%, and 40%, providing relief to entrepreneurs in the power sector.

These decisions mark significant progress in the state’s healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare sectors, promising enhanced services and support for the people of Himachal Pradesh.