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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal cabinet nod to financial assistance in the form of rent to disaster-hit families
The state cabinet on Thursday granted ex-post facto approval for providing financial assistance in the form of rent support for affected families residing in relief camps. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during cabinet meeting in Shimla on Thursday. (Sourced) The decision was taken during Day 4 of cabinet meetings being held under the chairmanship of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and aims to held the people affected by the widespread devastation caused by torrential rains during the ongoing monsoon season. As per the decision, the families will receive rent assistance through direct benefit transfer (DBT) at the rate of ₹5,000 per month in rural areas and ₹10,000 per month in urban areas for a maximum period of six months. As per the state emergency operation centre (SEOC), state has recorded 170 deaths, with 94 attributed to rain-related incidents like landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and electrocution, and 76 due to road mishaps, since the onset of monsoon--June 20. Over 400 houses have also been damaged. Mandi witnessed maximum damage owing to torrential rains. Nod to introduce OBC reservation in urban body polls The state cabinet also decided to introduce OBC reservation in the upcoming Urban Local Bodies elections. To facilitate this, it also approved the constitution of a Backward Classes Commission to compile accurate data on the population of Backward Classes before finalising the reservation roster. Optimum use of un-utilised vacant government buildings The cabinet also decided to approve the recommendations of a sub-committee formed under chairmanship of technical education minister Rajesh Dharmani to suggest optimum use of un-utilised vacant government buildings. The committee recommended to use all vacant government buildings in phased manner. It was also recommended to designate a nodal agency for providing space to the government departments, boards and corporations who require the same for setting up their offices. The cabinet also gave nod for the auction of 10 minor mineral quarries in district Kangra and the re-auction of 11 such quarries in district Bilaspur. This is expected to generate revenue of ₹18.82 crore for the state exchequer, in addition to creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and helping curb illegal mining. Establishment of tourism investment promotion council It approved the establishment of Tourism Investment Promotion Council under the chairmanship of the chief minister to entertain the projects entailing investment of more than 50 crore each. The council will process the cases within a period of 30 days. To check illegal activities at manufacturing units, the cabinet decided to post two home guards each at distilleries, bottling, and brewery plants. It also approved the posting of a state taxes and excise officer at each such plant, with mandatory rotation within the same district after a prescribed period. It decided to launch Phase-II of the Himachal Pradesh Sadbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme, 2025, for a period of three months from September 1, aiming to resolve approximately 30,000 pending cases. The scheme will also cover cases related to State Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products up to the financial year 2020–21. The cabinet also approved a one-time legacy policy to regularise unregistered construction equipment vehicles. Other decisions The cabinet has also okayed one-time relaxation of two years in the upper age limit for aspirants appearing for the competitive examination for TGT and JBT posts. One seat per course in all government institutions besides the government aided and private technical institutions has been given nod to. To strengthen healthcare services in remote and tribal regions, it also approved the engagement of 290 additional ASHA workers, ensuring better access to essential health services in these areas. The cabinet also gave its nod to start the operation of lotteries in the state. The cabinet approved purchase of a new Mercedes-Benz car for the governor at a cost of ₹92 lakh. Giving information about the cabinet decisions, industry minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that the current Mercedes being used by the Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla is more than six year old. Box: Monsoon session likely from August 18 The monsoon session of state legislative assembly is likely to be held from August 18. The cabinet recommended the governor to convene the monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha from August 18 to September 2, 2025. Legalising lottery not in state's interest: Jai Ram Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, on Thursday lashed out at Sukhu government for legalising lottery. Jai Ram said, 'As a conclusion of the four-day cabinet meeting, the so-called reformist Sukhu government has legalised the lottery. Earlier, the lottery had been banned. Many families were devastated due to it—homes were auctioned off, and some people were driven to commit suicide. Now the government wants to bring back that dark era'. 'In the name of a self-reliant Himachal, the government is giving legal recognition to cannabis cultivation. It is allowing liquor sales wherever it pleases while shutting down schools and colleges. And now, going even further, it has legaliaed the lottery—so the government can even wipe out people's savings. This policy is not in the interest of the state, and the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemns it.'
The Hindu
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Himachal sees four Cabinet meeting in four days; approves OBD quota in ULB polls
The Himachal Pradesh government on Thursday (July 31, 2025) conducted its fourth consecutive Cabinet meeting within the last four days, making it a first of its kind marathon Cabinet meeting, even as key decisions to were taken, including a nod given to introduce Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation in the upcoming Urban Local Bodies elections in the hill State. The Cabinet meetings between July 28 till July 31 were chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in which several decisions were taken. In a significant poll reform, the Cabinet decided to introduce OBC reservation in the ULB elections, slated to be held in 2026, to facilitate this, approval was given for the constitution of a Backward Classes Commission that would compile accurate data on the population of backward classes before finalising the reservation roster. Notably, the reservation policy was till now restricted to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities and women. The State's Urban Development Department oversees 76 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Apart from this, the Cabinet recommended to the Governor to convene the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh State Assembly from August 18 to September 2, 2025, according to an official statement. In the wake of the widespread devastation caused by torrential rains during the ongoing monsoon season in the State, the Cabinet granted ex post facto approval for providing financial assistance in the form of rent support for affected families residing in relief camps. Families will receive rent assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at the rate of ₹5,000 per month in rural areas and ₹10,000 per month in urban areas for maximum period of 6 months, it added. The Cabinet meetings that saw around thirty working hours of functioning took a decision about approving a one-time legacy policy to regularize unregistered construction equipment vehicles. Under this policy, owners can register their vehicles upon payment of the applicable one-time tax and 50% of the due penalty, to be paid in lump sum. The policy will remain in effect for three months from the date of notification. As per estimates, there are 2,795 defaulter's vehicles in the State that may benefit from this initiative.
Mint
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Karnataka to conduct caste survey using mobile app from September 22 to October 7, CM Siddaramaiah confirms
The Karnataka government will carry out a Social and Educational survey, commonly referred to as the caste census, over 15 days from September 22 to October 7, announced Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday. The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission has been assigned to submit the survey report by the end of October, which will help guide the state's upcoming budget. A preliminary meeting regarding the survey took place on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as reported by PTI. 'The Backward Classes Commission has submitted a proposal to the government to conduct a social and educational survey. Accordingly, a survey of all 7 crore people in the state will be conducted. The main objective of the census is to eliminate caste discrimination,' the CM was quoted as saying by his office in a statement. The survey also aims to gather comprehensive data on the financial status and land ownership. Siddaramaiah said, 'This time, the survey should be a model survey in the country.' 'It has been decided to conduct the survey for 15 days from September 22 to October 7. The survey report should be submitted by the end of October. Instructions have been given to start preliminary preparations for the survey, including training from now itself,' he added. On June 12, the Karnataka cabinet decided to conduct a fresh social and educational survey (caste census), effectively discarding the 2015 survey that cost around ₹ 165 crore, citing legal reasons. The cabinet referred to Section 11(1) of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995, which requires revising the state's backward classes list every 10 years. This decision came following directives from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to carry out caste re-enumeration in Karnataka, addressing concerns from communities excluded in the previous survey a decade ago. During the meeting, Siddaramaiah stressed that measures would be taken to prevent complaints and assured that no one would be left out of the survey. 'The Kantharaju Commission had previously conducted the survey manually by preparing 54 questions. This time, more elements will be included in the survey. This time, the survey will be conducted using a mobile app,' he said. Instructions have been given to study the social and educational census conducted in neighbouring Telangana, and it has also been decided to form a high-level committee to oversee the survey work. The CM stressed the need for a scientific and transparent approach, with assistance from an expert committee to finalise the questions to be asked in the survey. Pointing out that human resources, including 1.65 lakh enumerators, are required for the survey work, Siddaramaiah said along with the services of teachers, staff from other departments will also be used for the fresh survey. The CM asked all the departments concerned to work in coordination and make the survey a success. Backward Classes Welfare Minister Shivaraj Thangadgi, Chairman of the State Backward Classes Commission Madhusudan R Naik, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh , Chief Minister's Legal Advisor and MLA Ponnanna, and senior officials attended the meeting. Various communities, especially Karnataka's two dominant ones -- Vokkaligas and Veershaiva-Lingayats -- had expressed strong reservations about the caste survey that was done in 2015, calling it 'unscientific', and had demanded that it be rejected, and a fresh survey be conducted. This time, the survey should be a model survey in the country. Measures would be taken to prevent complaints and assure that no one would be left out of the survey. There are also strong voices against it from within the ruling Congress.
Deccan Herald
23-07-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka's new caste survey to be conducted from September 22 to October 7
DH had reported on July 12 that the Backward Classes Commission was proposing to conduct the survey during the 15-day Dasara holidays period.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka's new caste census from Sept 22
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Karnataka government will conduct a new 'Social and Educational survey', popularly known as "caste census", in the state for 15 days, from September 22 to October 7, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission is tasked with submitting the report by the end of October, which will shape the state's next budget.A preliminary meeting on the social and educational survey was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah."The Backward Classes Commission has submitted a proposal to the government to conduct a social and educational survey. Accordingly, a survey of all 7 crore people in the state will be conducted. The main objective of the census is to eliminate caste discrimination," the CM was quoted as saying by his office in a survey also aims to gather comprehensive data on the financial status and land said. "This time, the survey should be a model survey in the country." "It has been decided to conduct the survey for 15 days from September 22 to October 7. The survey report should be submitted by the end of October. Instructions have been given to start preliminary preparations for the survey, including training from now itself," he June 12, the Karnataka cabinet had decided to conduct a fresh social and educational survey (caste census), effectively binning the one done in 2015 at a cost of about Rs 165 crore, citing cabinet had cited Section 11(1) of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act 1995, which mandates a revision of the state backward classes list once in 10 cabinet's decision to conduct a fresh survey follows directives from the top brass of Congress -- President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi -- to hold caste re-enumeration in Karnataka to address the concerns of some communities, who were excluded in the survey conducted 10 years the meeting today, Siddaramaiah emphasised that precautions would be taken to avoid any complaints about the survey and ensured that no one is left out of the exercise."The Kantharaju Commission had previously conducted the survey manually by preparing 54 questions. This time, more elements will be included in the survey. This time, the survey will be conducted using a mobile app," he have been given to study the social and educational census conducted in neighbouring Telangana, and it has also been decided to form a high-level committee to oversee the survey CM stressed the need for a scientific and transparent approach, with assistance from an expert committee to finalise the questions to be asked in the out that human resources, including 1.65 lakh enumerators, are required for the survey work, Siddaramaiah said along with the services of teachers, staff from other departments will also be used for the fresh CM asked all the departments concerned to work in coordination and make the survey a Classes Welfare Minister Shivaraj Thangadgi, Chairman of the State Backward Classes Commission Madhusudan R Naik, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh , Chief Minister's Legal Advisor and MLA Ponnanna, and senior officials attended the communities, especially Karnataka's two dominant ones -- Vokkaligas and Veershaiva-Lingayats -- had expressed strong reservations about the caste survey that was done in 2015, calling it "unscientific", and had demand that it be rejected, and a fresh survey be conducted. There are also strong voices against it from within the ruling Congress.
