From salary hikes to paternity leave, state moves toward ‘inclusive growth’

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Saturday approved a slew of welfare measures, administrative reforms and green mobility initiatives aimed at employee welfare, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

A major decision was the enhancement of honorarium by Rs 300 per month for 510 Special Police Officers (SPOs) across the state, effective April 1, 2025. This includes 403 SPOs in non-tribal and 107 in tribal areas. Similarly, SMC teachers, IT computer teachers, mid-day meal workers and part-time water carriers will receive a Rs 500 monthly hike from the same date.

In a move reflecting gender-sensitive governance, the cabinet approved 15 days of paternity leave for male contract employees across departments.

Boost for green transport and energy

The cabinet allowed the Transport Department to convert 1,000 existing diesel and petrol taxis into electric vehicles, offering a 40% subsidy under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Yojna. Further, the scheme for ground-mounted solar power projects has been revised and renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Saur Urja Yojna, extending interest subsidies to Himachalis setting up solar plants ranging from 100 kW to 2 MW in both tribal and non-tribal areas.

Education and employment push

Under the revamped Dr YS Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojna, students can now avail of education loans at just 1% interest for postgraduate courses. The annual family income limit has been tripled, from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 12 lakh, expanding access to more students.

The cabinet also decided to create a separate state cadre for Junior Office Assistants (IT), beginning with 300 job trainee posts under the Directorate of Recruitment.

Healthcare and governance reforms

Approval was granted for the construction of Nahan Medical College on a newly selected site. Additionally, 32 posts of Assistant Professors in super-specialty departments across state medical colleges have been shifted to emergency medicine departments. The government also cleared the Resident Doctors Policy-2025 for better workforce management.

Sports, tourism and agriculture

To encourage diverse athletic participation, 19 new sports — including rugby, fencing, para-sports and kickboxing — were added to the list qualifying players for government jobs. The cabinet also approved formation of a Tourism Investment Promotion Council (TIPC) to attract and evaluate tourism projects transparently.

In the agriculture sector, steps were taken to streamline monitoring of the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojna and JICA-funded Crop Diversification Project (Phase-II) for better coordination and outcomes.

Finally, three new government primary schools will open in Solan district at Haripur Sandholi-II, Surajmajra Lubana and Chakkan in Baddi.