Himachal Cabinet Approves Monthly Incentive for Women of Spiti:

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, has announced a monthly incentive of Rs 1,500 for women in the Spiti Valley. The incentive will be provided to all eligible women, including Buddhist nuns, above the age of 18 years. This initiative is called the Indira Gandhi Mahila Samman Nidhi.

The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 3 April 2023. Apart from the incentive, the Cabinet also approved several other measures to improve the financial condition of the state.

Formation of Cabinet Sub-Committee:

The Cabinet has decided to form a sub-committee to prepare a White Paper on the financial position of the state. The sub-committee will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, while Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh will be members.

Introduction of e-Stamping:

The Cabinet has given its approval for the introduction of e-stamping to make the collection of stamp duty more convenient. The printing of physical stamp papers will be stopped with immediate effect, and stamp vendors will be authorized as collection centres.

The Cabinet has also approved the continuation of a dual system of stamps, i.e. physical stamp paper and e-stamp paper, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. After April 1, 2024, physical stamp paper will be discontinued completely.

Direct Benefit Transfer for School Uniforms:

The Cabinet has approved a direct benefit transfer of Rs 600 for eligible students in lieu of school uniforms.

Increase in Honorarium:

The Cabinet has approved an increase in the honorarium of Nambardars in the Revenue Department from Rs 3,200 to Rs 3,700 per month, benefiting approximately 3,177 people. The honorarium of Revenue Chowkidars or part-time workers will also be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500 per month, benefiting around 1,950 people.

Increase in Court Fee Rates:

The Cabinet has approved an increase in the court fee rates from Rs 6 to Rs 20 for filing any application or petition in the revenue courts or applying for attestation of affidavit or any other documents in civil courts other than the high court.

Constitution of Atal Tunnel Planning Area:

The Cabinet has approved the constitution of the Atal Tunnel Planning Area and the freezing of the existing land use of the Atal Tunnel Planning Area, which includes revenue villages of Lahaul-Spiti district.