Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, met on Monday at around 10:30 am in Shimla and took a series of key decisions aimed at governance reforms, public welfare, and infrastructure development.
In a major political reform, the Cabinet approved the draft of the Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing to bar individuals caught with “chitta” (heroin) from contesting Panchayati Raj elections. The government plans to bring the bill in the Vidhan Sabha before the upcoming Panchayat polls. Once passed and approved by the Governor, it will become law.
On the education front, the Cabinet approved the deployment of 2,068 teachers in 151 CBSE-affiliated schools, addressing long-pending staff shortages and aiming to improve academic standards.
In healthcare, the Cabinet gave a green signal to start Biophysics departments at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC Shimla), Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College. The move is expected to strengthen medical education and research in the state.
The Cabinet also approved the relocation of the Nahan Medical College based on a report submitted by a sub-committee headed by Health Minister Dharmani Ram Shandil. With this clearance, the medical college will be shifted from its current location within the city to a new site outside Nahan.
Significantly, the Cabinet also discussed the ongoing tensions and conflict in the Gulf region, reviewing its possible implications.
In this context, a key decision was taken to expand pipeline-based domestic gas supply to major cities across Himachal Pradesh.
The government deliberated on extending necessary support to petroleum companies, particularly in facilitating land acquisition for laying gas pipelines.
According to sources the Cabinet held an informal discussion on the possibility of introducing an entry tax, also being considered in the form of a green tax. However, no final decision was taken on this issue.
