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H.P. Cabinet Decisions
The Cabinet in its meeting held here today decided to provide additional honorarium of Rs 1000 to as many as 518 Special Police Officers (SPOs) rendering service in remote areas of district Chamba and Lahaul & Spiti bordering Jammu and Kashmir. This follows the announcement of Chief Minister on his tour to Salooni in district Chamba in February this year.
The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh.
It was decided to provide forest land on lease to M/s Om Energy Generation Private limited for construction of seven megawatt Holy–II Power Project in Chamba district at fixed lease amount for forty years.
Regarding relaxation and exemption in the prescribed criteria of AICTE and H.P Private Technical and Vocational Educational Institutions (Regulation of admission & fixation of fee) Act, 2008, it was decided that criterion of 50 percent marks in qualifying examination be made mandatory for admission this year with relaxation of 5 percent for reserved categories. However, it would be a final relaxation and from next year no relaxation/exemption in the prescribed criteria of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and HP Act, 2008 will be allowed. It was also decided that security amount of students passed out be refunded within stipulated time.
It was decided that faculty members of Medical and Dental colleges be allowed time bound up-gradation of designations upon fulfillment of eligibility criteria in their substantive pay subject to fitness and approval was also given for establishing collegium style of functioning in two medical colleges and a dental college of the State.
The Cabinet accorded approval for opening Veterinary dispensary in Gram Panchayat Shilladesh, in Chohara block of district Shimla with two posts necessary for its functioning on contract basis. It was also decided to open Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Pulwahal in Gram Panchayat Jawag in district Shimla. Approval was given to open Tehsil Welfare Office at Rait (Shahpur) in district Kangra.
A decision was taken to relocate the H.P PWD Shimla Rural Division Dhami to Totu and a new PWD Sub-Division to be opened at Dhami.
It was decided to raise one additional company of Home Guard Volunteers at Sub-Division Chopal in Home Guard and Civil Defence Department as per the announcement of Chief Minister.
The decision was made to amend Rule 26 and 28 of H.P Stamp Rules, 1973 wherein the limit to sell the judicial and non-judicial stamp papers has been enhanced from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 20,000.
The Cabinet gave its approval to allot land on lease to DAV College Trust and Management Society New Delhi for construction of school building and play ground at Rehan in district Kangra.
It also gave approval for filling up posts of various categories in district Lahaul-Spiti.
It approved broucher/guidelines for inviting applications for allotment of small hydroelectric projects up to 5 MW capacity under identified and self identified basis as proposed by HIMURJA.
It was decided to engage teachers through School Management Committees (SMC) on period basis in elementary and higher education departments in all the newly upgraded schools in the State and it also approved to extend this SMC policy to the schools where any sanctioned post was remaining vacant for over two years.
It also decided to create and fill up 24 posts of different categories in Rajiv Gandhi Government Engineering College, Kangra at Nagrota-Bagwan.
The approval was accorded to create 13 posts of Supervisors in Municipal Corporation, Shimla from retrospective date by upgrading the posts of Mate/Labourers.
The Cabinet approved amendment in Rule 45, 50 and 50(4) of the H.P Value Added Tax Rules, 2005.
It was decided to grant the pay structure of 10,300-34,800 +4800 grade pay to Ward Sisters in Health & Family Welfare Department from prospective effect.
The Cabinet gave approval for constructing two-storeys parking floor and two-storeys Sarai Bhawan in Lakkar Bazar area of Shimla for cancer patients.
The Cabinet also approved revision of pension for pre-2006 pensioners of UGC pay scales to H.P Government College Cadre Employees.
It was also decided to fill up one vacant post each of Assistant Professor and Associate professor in department of Nephrology in IGMC Shimla through Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission by direct recruitment.
Decision was taken to fill up ten posts of Havildar Instructor/Quarter Master Havildar in Home Guards & Civil Defence department.
A decision was taken to filling up of 50 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Treasury, Accounts and Lottery department on contract basis. A decision was taken to engage manpower of as many as 100 in number (both un-skilled and semi skilled) on contract basis from some approved service provider in Himachal Pradesh Forest Corporation.
It was decided to fill up 20 posts of Assistant District Attorneys on contract basis in Prosecution department and filling up three posts of civil judge in Himachal Subordinate Judiciary.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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