SHIMLA: The State Cabinet, in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved a significant enhancement in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key agricultural produce. The MSP for wheat has been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kg, maize from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kg, and barley from Pangi Valley in Chamba district from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kg. Additionally, the MSP for raw turmeric has been raised from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per kg, while ginger produced through natural farming will now be procured at Rs. 30 per kg, aiming to strengthen farmers’ income and promote sustainable agriculture.
In a major push towards strengthening government departments, the Cabinet approved the creation and filling of 1,000 posts of Police Constables and 500 posts of Assistant Forest Guards, with 50 percent reservation for Van Mitras. It also decided to engage retired Revenue Department officials, including 8 Naib Tehsildars, 20 Kanungos, and 44 Patwaris, on fixed remuneration for the Forest Department, along with 10 legal consultants across territorial circles. To address the shortage of faculty in medical institutions, retired professors will be appointed in new medical colleges to ensure smooth academic and clinical operations.
The Cabinet further approved administrative and governance reforms, including the reorganization of Jal Shakti Department divisions in Sirmaur district based on constituencies to improve public service delivery. Amendments to Rules 10 (2) and (3) of the Himachal Pradesh Social Security (Pension/Allowance) Rules, 2010 were also cleared to ensure timely disbursement of pensions. Additionally, the fire NOC process will be simplified to enhance ease of doing business and strengthen safety measures. The Cabinet also decided to engage Honorary Captain Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra awardee, to प्रेरित youth to join the armed forces from May 1, 2026, and approved the allotment of 71 small hydroelectric projects to eligible independent power producers.
