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HP Cabinet Decisions 2018: 200 jobs in Ayurveda, relief for liquor industry, probe against 2 gold refineries approved
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Government held a meeting on February 26, 2018, and took several decisions including an investigation into previous government’s decisions. The meeting was presided over by the Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
Inquiries ordered by HP Cabinet
First of all, the Bhartiya Janata Party-led HP Govt scrapped the tax refund scheme for two Gold Refineries in the State along with ordering vigilance probe for apparent criminal conspiracy to defraud the State of legitimate tax dues.
As per the State government, the two refineries owe the State total Rs. 14,10,98,423 as a tax of Gold Refinery Units under H.P. Tax on entry of Goods into Local Area Act, 2010.
The Cabinet also approved probe into the Incentive scheme for revival of sick industrial units in Himachal.
The third probe will be ordered against approvals accorded for the construction of Circuit House building at Chambaghat and Hospital building at Kandaghat in Solan district.
As per the new government, the previous Congress Government flouted the rules of business and official instructions by starting the work on these projects without the prior approval of Council of Ministers.
HP Govt Jobs
The Cabinet gave its approval to fill up following posts:
- 200 posts of ayurvedic medical officers in Ayurveda department on contract basis. Out of these 100 posts will be filled batch-wise, while remaining 100 through direct recruitment.
- Ex-post-facto approval to fill up 12 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division) through direct recruitment from Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission
- Approval to fill up five posts of Lab Technicians
- 1 post of Superintendent Grade-II,
- 1 post of Senior Assistant and 1 post of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Rajiv Gandhi Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Paprola
- 2 posts of horticulture incharge and one post of assistant botanist in Ayurveda department.
HP Cabinet Excise Policy for 2018-119
The Cabinet gave its approval to Excise Policy 2018-19. The government has decided to introduce the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) system on the sale of liquor (CL-Country Liquor and IMFL- Indian Made Foreign Liquor).
The government claimed the policy aims to balance the aspirations of citizens, consumers, manufacturers, suppliers, bottlers, wholesalers, retailers, and the Government. An emphasis has been given to streamline the supply of liquor from manufacturers to the wholesalers and to the retailers, it said.
As per the government, the policy will help Himachal to earn revenue of approximately Rs. 1552.88 crore for 2018-19, which will add Rs. 271.33 crores over the estimated revenue for the year 2017-18 with overall growth of 21.17 percent.
Other major decisions of excise policy include:
- Conditions for securing source license have been liberalized
- Numbers of excise levies have been reduced
- The conditions for retailers regarding the unlifted Minimum Guaranteed Quota have been relaxed
- Security amount fixed for the retailers at the time of allotment has been reduced from 18 % to 13 percent
- Allotment of retail vends by a transparent draw of lots system this year
- Approved policy for establishment of microbrewery for beer manufacturing in hotels, restaurants independently
- For the establishment of microbrewery, government will reduce the import fee on ENA (a major raw material) and Beer
- Rates will also be displayed in all the retail vends
- INR 1/- will be collected and INR 2/- will be collected on the sale of every bottle of CL/IMFL which will be allocated towards the Ambulance Services Fund and Welfare of Local Bodies respectively
- Wine producers in the Himachal will be allowed to sell their products directly to the retailers and bars.
- Various excise levies were reduced substantially and transportation conditions have been relaxed, along with increasing the Import Duty on wines produced out of the State
Further, the Cabinet approved extension of guarantee support of State Government of Rs. 325 crore in favour of H.P. State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ltd. upto March 31, 2019, to facilitate loans to the farmers.
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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