News
HP Cabinet Decisions August 8, 2019: Amendment in Recruitment/Promotion Rules of Class III, IV Posts, Filling Up Over 1500 Posts, School Exams for Class 5th and 8th Reinstated
Shimla-The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet meeting was held on August 8, 2018, under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Various decisions were taken in in this meeting.
The Cabinet approved to amend the Recruitment and Promotion Rules of various categories Class III and Class-IV posts by making the passing of Matric and plus two examinations from schools situated in Himachal Pradesh mandatory for being eligible for class-III posts and passing of 8th or 10th from schools from Himachal Pradesh for class-IV posts. These conditions will not be applicable to bonafide Himachalis as defined by the State Government from time to time.
The Cabinet accorded its consent to implement “The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Act, 2019 regarding conducting 5th and 8th class examination for which questions papers and answer sheets will be provided by Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education Dharamshala and conduction of examination and evaluation will be accomplished under the supervision of Deputy Director, Elementary Education of the concerned district.
It also gave its nod to continue the services of already engaged SMC teachers on a period basis in Elementary/Higher Education Department for academic session 2019-20.
The Cabinet gave its consent to increase the upper age limit for availing the benefits of newly launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Swablamban Yojna- 2019 from 35 years to 45 years.
School Safety Project Guidelines
In order to prepare schools for emergencies and ensure that they are resilient to face disasters and to sensitize school children and school community on disasters preparedness and safety measures, the Cabinet gave its approval for School Safety Project Guidelines for implementation to reduce disaster risk in schools of the State.
Other Decisions Taken in Cabinet Meeting Including Filling Up of Various Post
- Increase in financial assistance to the eligible destitute women and widows under Mother Teresa Matri Asahay Sambal Yojna from existing Rs. 5000 to Rs. 6000 per child per annum subject to a maximum of two children for their proper upbringing.
- Approval for selection and imparting patwari training to 1195 candidates (933 candidates in Mohal side and 262 candidates in Settlement side) and 17 eligible chainmen of settlement department Shimla and Kangra in order to fill up vacancies in next five years.
- Nod to establish a ‘Disability Cell’ in the Directorate of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Empowerment of Specially Abled Persons Department for the empowerment of persons with special abilities alongwith filling up of requisite posts to man the Cell.
- To fill up seven posts of different categories in Bal Ashrams being run by Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council at Sunni, Kalehali and Kalpa.
- Nod to open Sub Employment Office at Bali Chowki in Mandi district alongwith creation and filling up of requisite posts.
- To create and fill up 17 posts of different categories and provide two new vehicles for the newly opened Fire Post at Padhar in Mandi district.
- Consent to open Fire Sub Station at Gohar in Mandi district alongwith creation and filling up of 23 posts of various categories and three vehicles.
- Increase in the honorarium of Special Police Officers deployed in those areas of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts bordering Jammu and Kashmir from existing Rs. 6000 to Rs. 7000 per month.
- Open Block Medical Office in Shri Naina Devi Ji in Bilaspur district alongwith creation and filling up of 15 posts of different categories to man this office.
- To upgrade Community Health Centre Markande in Bilaspur district to 50 bedded Civil Hospital alongwith creation and filling up of 18 posts of different categories.
- Consent to upgrade Primary Health Centre Bachhabain in Kangra district to Community Health Centre alongwith creation and filling up of 19 posts.
- Open Block Medical Office at Basdehara in Una district alongwith creation and filling up of three posts.
- To fill up of 73 different posts in Civil Hospital Paonta Sahib.
- To upgrade Community Health Centre Salooni in Chamba district to 50 bedded Civil Hospital alongwith creation and filling up of 33 posts of different categories.
- Nod to convert 10 posts of Clerks to Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Excise and Taxation Department and four posts of Clerks to Junior Office Assistant (IT) in Youth Services and Sports Department and fill up them on a contract basis.
- To create 21 posts of different categories in Panchayati Raj Department on a contract basis.
- Nod to start science classes in Government Senior Secondary Schools, Shalla in Mandi district, Swarghat, Toba, Tamboul, Suin Surah and Deoth in Bilaspur district and Commerce classes in Government Senior Secondary Schools, Dehan in Kangra district, Behal, Lakhnoo, Chhakoh and Chadol in Bilaspur district alongwith creation of 26 posts of PGTs to facilitate the students.
- To start Science classes in Government Senior Secondary School, Bara in Mandi district and Commerce classes in Government Senior Secondary Schools, Bara and Saroa in Mandi district alongwith creation and filling up of nine posts of PGTs to facilitate the students.
- To fill up three posts of Hostel Superintendent cum PTI in the Technical Education Department.
- To start new trades of Mechanical Diesel Engine, Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, Electrician and Sewing Technology in Government ITI Summerkot in Shimla district alongwith creation and filling up of 12 posts of different categories.
- To introduce four new trades of Electrician, IT, Plumber and Fashion Design and Technology in Government ITI Nerwa in district Shimla alongwith creation and filling up of 12 posts of different categories.
- To create and fill up 29 posts of different categories in Directorate of Energy through direct recruitment.
The Cabinet gave its nod to strengthen the Emergency Response and Support System by providing 13 Bolero vehicles one each in every police district of the State to be used as Emergency Response Vehicle in emergent situations. These vehicles would be equipped with Mobile Data Terminals which would be linked with Public Safety Answering Point.
The Cabinet decided to outsource the work of ‘Arogya Mitra’ for execution of ‘Ayushman Bharat-Pradhanmantri Jan Arogya Yojna and Himcare’ in Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College Chamba, Radhakrishanan Medical College, Hamirpur, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk Mandi and District Hospitals, Zonal Hospitals, Regional Hospitals and Civil Hospitals.
It decided to create a separate department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda and create one post each of Professor and Associate Professor and two posts of Assistant Professor. It also decided to create two posts of Assistant Professors in Super Specialty Cell of Paediatric Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology in the Paediatric Department of Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda.
The Cabinet decided to provide 16 slice CT Scan machine in Zonal Hospital Mandi, DDU Zonal Hospital, Shimla, Regional Hospital, Kullu and Civil Hospital, Palampur on PPP mode in place of dual slice CT Scan machines.
In Civil Hospitals, Rohru, Rampur, Nurpur, Sundernagar, Paonta Sahib and Kotkhai, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala would also be replaced by 16 slice CT Scan machines provided there were 500 CT Scans per month continuously for six months in these institutions.
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.