Did Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approve Recruitment of 700 Home Guard Volunteers?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Approval of recruitment for 700 Home Guard volunteers.
- Regularization of 203 Panchayat Secretaries.
- Amendment to residency policies for fairness in selection.
- Introduction of a Deposit Refund Scheme to tackle waste.
- Relocation of RERA office to Dharamsala.
Shimla, May 31 (NationPress) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet convened on Saturday to confirm the recruitment of 700 Home Guard volunteers for the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department. The Cabinet also sanctioned the regularization of 203 Panchayat Secretaries (Zila Parishad cadre) who have successfully completed two years of contract service as of March 31.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the meeting, where an important amendment to the Postgraduate, Specialist Services Policy was approved. This amendment removes the previous prerequisite of a one-year field posting for eligibility in Senior Residency at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda.
A statement from the government clarified that this decision aligns with policies implemented at AIIMS in Chamiyana.
The amendment aims to enhance the selection process, ensure fairness, and create coherence between the Resident Doctor Policy and the Postgraduate, Specialist Services Policy.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the relocation of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) office from Shimla to Dharamsala.
Furthermore, it introduced the Deposit Refund Scheme of 2025 to tackle non-biodegradable waste effectively. Under this scheme, consumers will incur a refundable deposit on top of the product price, which will be reimbursed upon the return of the used product.
This initiative will encompass various packaging materials, including glass bottles, plastic beverage containers, aluminium cans, liquid packaging, flexible plastic packaging, and multilayered packages, with a pilot implementation planned.
In alignment with 2010 decisions, the Cabinet granted in-principle approval to establish a new reservation roster for members and chairpersons of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Moreover, it permitted the Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation to gather minor minerals and conduct dredging operations in rivers and ponds within forest areas throughout the state, aiming for improved resource management and environmental sustainability.
The Cabinet also resolved to split the Elementary Education Block Ramshahar in Solan district by forming a new Elementary Education Block in Baddi, alongside the creation and filling of necessary posts to ensure efficient operations.
Lastly, the Cabinet approved the reorganization of the Development Blocks in Sulah, Bhawarna, and Lambagaon of Kangra district and Bhoranj of Hamirpur district to better serve the local population.