Women who have been abandoned by their spouses and lack any independent source of income will now be officially classified as destitute women in Himachal Pradesh. The decision was taken by the state cabinet on Saturday while approving amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010, with the aim of expanding welfare coverage and simplifying access to benefits.
The revised rules redefine the term “destitute” and streamline the certification process required to avail social security benefits. Under the updated provisions, abandoned women without financial independence will become eligible for assistance under welfare schemes specifically designed for destitute women by the state government.
The cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. During the session, the government also decided to invite public objections and suggestions on proposed amendments to Rules 28, 87, 88, and 89 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. These amendments propose that panchayats reserved for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will no longer remain reserved in the upcoming panchayat elections scheduled for May 31.
The cabinet further approved the allocation of 40 percent of the Local Area Development Fund under the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy to provide financial assistance to individuals categorized as “children of the state.” This move aims to strengthen targeted social support initiatives.
In the energy sector, the government decided to cancel 15 hydroelectric power projects that failed to become operational despite receiving relief under a one-time amnesty scheme. Additionally, approval was granted to allot the 10-megawatt Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, subject to the condition that unused land be returned to the state. Under the arrangement, the state government will receive 13 percent free power and an additional 5 percent share of the total electricity generated.
The cabinet also cleared the recruitment of 111 posts across various categories in the technical education, cooperation, education, and public relations departments to strengthen administrative capacity.
Approval was granted for the formation of the Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited at Dhagwar in Kangra district. The new union will include milk producers from Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Una districts. The National Dairy Development Board will serve as the administrator responsible for managing and operating the Dhagwar Milk Processing Plant.
To enhance regional connectivity, the cabinet sanctioned the expansion of heli-taxi services on the Chandigarh–Shimla–Chandigarh route. Weekly sorties will increase from three to twelve, with flights operating twice daily for six days each week. The state government will provide viability gap funding to support continued operations of the service.
The cabinet also decided that salaries of outsourced employees working under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Jal Shakti Department will be paid from state resources, as central funds under the scheme have not yet been released.
Additionally, the cabinet approved granting an 80-year land lease to the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA). This decision required an amendment to Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Lease Rules, 2013, which previously limited government land leases to a maximum duration of 40 years.
