The Himachal Pradesh government has announced the launch of the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana,’ aimed at supporting the education of children from widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents. Under this scheme, eligible children will receive a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to cover their educational, health, and nutritional needs until they turn 18. The scheme will also provide financial assistance for undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and vocational courses, including course fees and hostel expenses.
This decision was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a 50 percent subsidy for purchasing e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-Up Yojana. To benefit from this subsidy, individuals must deposit 10 percent margin money and secure a bank loan. UCO Bank will serve as the nodal bank for loan approvals, with HP State Cooperative Bank, Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank, and Kangra Central Cooperative Bank as preferred institutions. Loans will be offered at an annual interest rate of 7.9 percent.
The Cabinet also approved a six-month age relaxation for students currently enrolled in nursery, LKG, and UKG for the 2023-24 academic year, allowing them to advance to the next higher classes up to 1st grade. In addition, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of a new Sub-Divisional Police Office at Dadasiba, a police post at Alampur, and the upgrading of Police Post Sansarpur Terrace and Police Post Moin to full-fledged Police Stations in Kangra district. New posts will be created to operationalize these offices.
In infrastructure development, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a new Jal Shakti Vibhag Circle at Dehra in Kangra district and a new Jal Shakti Vibhag Sub-Division and Section at Khad in the Haroli Assembly constituency of Una district. A new Sub-Division of HPPWD will also be set up at Khad in Una district. The creation and filling of necessary posts for these initiatives were also approved.
Concessional travel charges for police personnel, jail officials, and security guards on HRTC buses will increase from Rs 110 to Rs 500 per month. This change reverses a previous decision to end concessional travel for police personnel.
The Cabinet approved the purchase of three TESLA MRI machines for IGMC Shimla, Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialty, Chamiyana, and Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur, to enhance patient care. It also approved the provision of two electric vehicles for emergency services at AIIMS Chamiyana and IGMC Shimla. Additionally, a new fire post will be established in the Ubadesh area of Kotkhai in Shimla district.