Himachal Pradesh Government

CM announces 3% dearness allowance with October salaries and pensions

· Introduce new compensation policy for outsourced staff of electricity board

Just before Deepawali, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced release of 3 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) for employees and pensioners to be credited with October salaries and pensions, payable in November. The arrears for the period from April to September 2025 will also be deposited in the bank accounts of the employees in October. Separate orders will be issued for payment of arrears from July 2023 to March 2025.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Biennial General Convention of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Employees Union in Shimla today. The Chief Minister said that after discussions with the union leaders, the government would consider providing One Pension Scheme (OPS) to the employees. He emphasized the need for reforms in the Electricity Board and highlighted that the support of the employees was essential for its success.

He pointed out that electricity production at the Uhl project currently costs Rs. 27 per unit for which senior officials are responsible while expenses of employee of the board was just Rs. 2.50 per unit, as the number of officers were much more than the number of employees. As a result the employees were bereft of the financial benefits.

The government has released Rs. 2200 crore to ensure financial benefits for employees of the HPSEBL. From 2023 to September 2025 the pensioners have received Rs. 662.81 crore as gratuity, medical reimbursements, leave encashment and pension arrears with an additional Rs. 70 crore to be paid by end of this year. Medical reimbursements have been centralized and are now disbursed weekly without any pending dues.

The Chief Minister directed the board to introduce a compensation policy for outsourced employees in case of accidents and ordered the immediate clearance of pending promotions. He also noted that despite the state government providing OPS to employees, pressure from BJP leaders, led the central government to halt additional borrowing. Time and again the Union government is pressuring to withdraw OPS. He acknowledged upcoming economic challenges in the next three to four months but expressed confidence in a swift recovery.

Accusing the previous BJP government of squandering public funds, the Chief Minister said that the current state government inherited a debt of 75,000 crore rupees and employee liabilities of 10,000 crore rupees. He said, "If employees are not receiving their benefits today, it is not due to the present government," adding that no one cared for making Himachal a self reliant State.

Sh. Sukhu said that the previous BJP government opened 600 educational institutions before the 2022 assembly elections, but they were forced to take tough decisions to close them. He said that they had brought about reforms in the education sector, which helped Himachal Pradesh rise from 21st to 5th rank in providing quality education. He said that the health sector was in a similar situation, and improvements have been made there as well. The current state government is replacing 20-year-old machinery and strengthening all medical colleges.

He also highlighted reforms in education, health, and medical infrastructure, including the introduction of PET Scans, 3-Tesla MRI machines, and robotic surgeries at Chamiana Hospital and Tanda Medical College with a planned investment of Rs. 3000 crore in new technology.

Chief Minister added that the government is strengthening the rural economy, procuring milk at higher price and providing support prices for crops like wheat, maize, barley and raw turmeric grown through natural farming.

The Chief Minister also released the union’s souvenir during the event.

Legislators Sanjay Awasthi, Harish Janartha, Ranjit Singh, Congress leader Surender Mankotia, Chairman HPSEBL Prabodh Saxena, Managing Director Aditya Negi, President All Engineers Union Lokesh Thakur, General Secretary Heera Lal Verma and President HPSEBL Employees Union Kameshwar Dutt Sharma were present amongst others.

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Startups and student innovation policy to boost youth entrepreneurship: Rajesh Dharmani

Startups to receive funding of up to Rs. 5 Lakh

Chairing a review meeting of HIMUDA today, Urban and Town Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani announced that youth-led startups will be encouraged under the HIMUDA Startup and Student Innovation Policy.

Under this policy, a startup fund of Rs. 25 lakh for one year has been allocated by HIMUDA. Each eligible startup proposal will receive funding of up to Rs. 5 lakh. The primary objective of the policy is to create a robust ecosystem to promote innovation and startups in the state. This initiative is expected to accelerate economic growth and generate employment opportunities, playing a significant role in shaping a vibrant startup ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh.

Minister Dharmani also emphasized that along with sustainable development goals, well-planned development projects are being promoted across the state. He instructed HIMUDA officials to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects. Highlighting the state’s tourism potential, he informed that a Tourism Village will be developed in Narghota, Kangra district. Furthermore, HIMUDA has been directed to explore opportunities for 'Spiritual Township' projects to further enhance tourism prospects in the state.

The Minister also highlighted efforts to develop Himachal Pradesh as an IT Hub, directing that work on IT Township projects should continue. In Shimla, he reviewed the Mountain City project at Jathiya Devi aimed at reducing congestion in the city. Discussions were also held regarding real estate projects in collaboration with private partners.

HIMUDA has streamlined several long-standing non-functional posts and, to strengthen its operational framework, 46 new posts across different categories have been created.

The meeting was attended by HIMUDA Vice-Chairperson Yashwant Chajta, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, CEO HIMUDA & Secretary Dr. Surender Kumar Vashisth and other senior officials.
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CM flags off e- taxis under RGSSY

Subsidy of Rs. 5.64 crore provided to 79 eligible youth so far

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 18 e-taxis from his official residence, Oakover, under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojna (RGSSY).

The beneficiaries include four youth from Shimla, three each from Kangra and Kinnaur, two each from Chamba, Kullu, and Solan, and one each from Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts. The State Government provided a total subsidy of Rs. 1.28 crore for the purchase of these e-taxis. Under the scheme, the Government offers 50 percent subsidy on e-taxi purchases and so far Rs. 5.64 crore has been disbursed to 79 eligible youth across the State.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that the initiative would not only provide gainful employment to the youth but also would ensure assured income for five years by attaching these e-taxis with government departments and corporations, with a provision for a two-year extension. He added that this step would also help reduce the financial burden of the State. During the current financial year, the Government has already provided Rs. 2.72 crore as subsidy for 40 eligible youth under this scheme, stated the Chief Minister.

Highlighting the Government’s commitment to green initiatives, the Chief Minister stated that Rs. 66.41 crore has been allocated for the purchase of electric vehicles in the current financial year, reinforcing the State’s efforts to preserve the environment and make Himachal Pradesh a Green State.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA's Ashish Butail, Sanjay Awasthy, Hardeep Bawa, and Ranjit Rana, Congress leader Surender Mankotia, Secretary Labour and Employment Priyanka Basu Ingty, Commissioner Labour and Employment Virender Sharma, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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TVS Motors contributes rupees one crore towards CM Relief Fund

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was presented a cheque of rupees one crore by Y.S. Guleria of TVS Motors towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, here today.

The Chief Minister thanked this noble gesture and said that such contributions go a long way in helping the needy in distress. He urged the philanthropists and affluent sections of the society to contribute liberally towards this Fund.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, MLA Hardeep Bawa, Prasad Krishnan, Y. Vasudev, Chaman Lal of TVS Motors and General Secretary Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industrialists Association Rajneesh Vij were also present on the occasion.

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Gifted lands for road construction must be mutated in the name of the Department within next 10 days: Abhishek Jain

Secretary PWD Dr. Abhishek Jain today presided over a detailed review meeting to evaluate the progress of various infrastructure works under Shimla Zone, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD). He appreciated the department’s swift and effective restoration of roads damaged during recent disasters, highlighting that timely repair work has ensured smooth connectivity and public convenience in affected areas. The Secretary emphasized that with favourable weather conditions now in place, ongoing projects under PMGSY, NABARD, and Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) should be expedited, with particular focus on timely completion and quality of road construction and tarring works.

Dr. Jain directed that gifted lands for road construction must be mutated in the name of the Department within the next 10 days and stressed that all entries for existing roads should be accurately recorded in the Revenue records to maintain transparency and legal compliance. He also instructed senior officers to conduct regular inspections of works, offices, and rest houses, and submit detailed reports to higher authorities to ensure proper supervision and accountability.

The Secretary further underlined the importance of close monitoring of PMGSY projects to improve project delivery timelines, maintain financial discipline, streamline record-keeping, and address any bottlenecks promptly. He also encouraged officers to adopt best practices in project execution, ensure quality control, and maximize the use of available resources to meet the Government’s vision of improving road infrastructure and connectivity across Shimla Zone.

S.P. Jagota, Engineer-in-Chief (Project), Suresh Kapoor, Chief Engineer (Shimla Zone), Sh. Ajay Kapoor, Chief Engineer (NH), along with all Superintending Engineers under Shimla Zone attended the meeting and assured the Secretary of full compliance with the directions and timely implementation of all projects.

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Centre approves Ropeway Project in Shimla: Mukesh Agnihotri

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today here informed that the Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development Project in Shimla has received Stage-I approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

The project would be an important step towards improving urban transport system in Shimla by developing a 13.79 kilometer long ropeway being constructed with an amount of Rs. 1734.70 crore connecting major points across the city. The initiative would help in easing traffic congestion and cutting carbon emissions and promoting clean and sustainable urban mobility both for locals and the tourists.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that in-principle approval has been granted for the use of 6.1909 hectares of forest land, with full compliance to all environmental and legal norms. He said that the project would generate employment opportunities for local people and provide tourists with a new and pleasant travel experience.

Agnihotri said that this project was a major gift for the people of Shimla and would play a pivotal role in achieving the State Government’s vision of a 'Green Himachal'. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government and the Ministry of Environment for granting approval to this important project.

He further said that environmental protection would remain a top priority of the present state government and all construction activities would follow the guidelines of the forest department.

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