20-05-2025
Himachal Cabinet clears decks for recruitment of 1,000 pashu mitras
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved several key decisions, including the Pashu Mitra Policy 2025, clearing decks for the recruitment of 1,000 Multi-Task Workers (Pashu Mitras) in the Animal Husbandry Department on Monday.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, to regulate construction on the valley side under the Shimla Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.
Under the revised rules, buildings must be constructed at least one metre below the road level to preserve the valley's scenic beauty. The amendments aim to preserve the valley's aesthetic appeal for visitors, according to a statement.
To improve library management in schools, the Cabinet approved the filling of 100 posts of Junior Office Assistant (Library) in the Education Department.
It also sanctioned the creation of 10 posts of Senior Assistant and 15 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in the Revenue Department.
In a related move, the Cabinet gave its nod to fill five posts of various categories in the Himachal Pradesh State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Hamirpur, and five posts of Ayurvedic Pharmacy Officer in the Ayush Department on a batch-wise basis.
The Cabinet approved a significant hike — from Rs 700 to Rs 1,200 per animal — in the monthly fodder grant for Gauvansh kept in Gausadans across the state. It also raised the monthly honorarium for operation theatre assistants from Rs 17,820 to Rs 25,000, and for radiographers and x-ray technicians from Rs 13,100 to Rs 25,000.
The Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojana was approved to encourage private entrepreneurs to plant on degraded forest land as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to increase the state's forest cover.
The Cabinet decided to include the adjoining forest area of Mata Tara Devi Temple in Shimla district under the green area of the Shimla Development Plan, promoting sustainable development.
It also approved the formulation of comprehensive guidelines for hiring e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojna 2023.
To enhance operational efficiency, the Cabinet approved the merger of the design wing with the civil wing in the Public Works Department.
Additionally, it renamed the veterinary dispensary at Sarahan as Veterinary Dispensary Baga Sarahan in the Nirmand block of Kullu district.
The meeting was attended by all Cabinet ministers, except for Revenue and Tribal Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who is on an official trip to abroad.
