Himachal Cabinet raises minimum income limit for BPL category, approves Excise Policy

The state government has enhanced the minimum income limit for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families from Rs 36,000 per month to Rs 50,000 so as to bring more people under its cover.

The decision was taken by the Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday evening.  The Cabinet met late on Tuesday after the Assembly session got over.

The Cabinet also approved the Excise Policy for the financial year 2025-26 to increase revenue from the sale of liquor vends through auction and tender modes.

In another significant decision, the Cabinet has decided to utilise money from the District Mineral Foundation Trust for educational purposes and other benefits for orphans, widows and other underprivileged sections. The money from this fund in every district is used for undertaking works in the areas affected by mining.

The Cabinet has also given nod for the bifurcation of the common cadre of nurses and paramedical staff. The employees of the common cadre have been asked to choose from either of the Director Medical Education or the Director Health Services cadres and submit their option.

The Cabinet also gave approval for the recruitment of Junior Officer Assistant (JOA) IT single-handedly by the Department of Personnel and not individually by each department at its own level.