Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves New Initiatives in Infrastructure, Agriculture and Health

The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has decided to induct 1,386 Jal Rakshaks as Pump attendants. All eligible Jal Rakshaks, having completed 12 years of service by December 31, 2024, will now move into the Jal Shakti Vibhag sector.

In a push to support the state's agricultural sector, the Cabinet approved procuring apples at Rs 12 per kg under the Market Intervention Scheme for 2025. Additionally, it will procure various other fruits like kinnow, malta, orange, galgal, and different varieties of mango under the same scheme.

The Cabinet also focused on disaster management by approving the Sub-Committee's recommendations, which include conducting structural safety audits statewide. It aims to implement earthquake-resistant and hazard-resilient construction to ensure preparedness against disasters.

Another major initiative includes the development of healthcare by upgrading 18 daycare centers for chemotherapy across district hospitals. It aims to reduce travel needs for cancer patients, while more facilities are set to receive critical care blocks and public health labs.

The Cabinet has greenlit new milk processing plants and chilling centers in a bid to boost the dairy sector's efficiency. Furthermore, implementing an ERP system in the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation is expected to enhance operational transparency and accessibility for farmers.