The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved the final draft of the Shimla Development Plan, which introduces new regulations for building construction. The plan allows for specific floor and attic allowances based on different areas within Shimla. However, its implementation is subject to the approval of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has imposed restrictions on construction activities. The cabinet also decided to reorganize the recruitment process, with the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission taking over responsibilities previously held by the disbanded Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission.
The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has given its approval to the final draft of the Shimla Development Plan, which introduces new regulations concerning building construction. The draft plan, presented by the urban development department, was cleared in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
During a press briefing after the meeting, Industries Minister Harsvardhan Chauhan disclosed the key provisions of the plan. He stated that in the green area, buildings will be allowed to have one floor plus an attic, while in core areas, two floors and an attic will be permissible. He emphasized that different parameters will be applicable to various areas within Shimla.
It is important to note that the implementation of the plan is contingent upon the approval of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has imposed restrictions on construction activities in both green and core areas.
In addition, the cabinet made a significant decision regarding the reorganization of the recruitment process in the state. It was decided that the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission will now conduct examinations for positions that were previously held by the disbanded Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur. The dissolution of the latter commission came about due to a controversy involving leaked examination papers.
The state Staff Selection Commission had been responsible for conducting various examinations, but it was dissolved by the government in February of this year. This action was taken after a leak of the junior office assistant (JOA) recruitment examination paper was uncovered in December 2022, along with the revelation of irregularities in past examinations over the course of three years.
Moreover, the cabinet took steps to address the issue of unplanned and unauthorized constructions along national highways. It decided to establish the Four Lane Planning Area, encompassing a 100-meter zone from the edge of the road. This measure aims to regulate and control rampant and unregulated development along the Parwanoo-Shimla, Shimla-Matour, Pathankot-Mandi, and Kiratpur-Manali national highways.
Furthermore, the cabinet gave its approval to the guidelines for the Mukhya Mantri Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana 2023. Under this scheme, eligible economically disadvantaged students will be provided loans of up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest rate of only one percent, facilitating their pursuit of higher education.
Lastly, a decision was made to rename the Department of Information Technology as the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance, aligning it with the modern technological landscape and emphasizing the importance of digital advancements in governance.
The approval of the Shimla Development Plan and the various decisions made by the Himachal Pradesh cabinet demonstrate the government's commitment to promoting planned and regulated development, improving the recruitment process, supporting higher education for economically disadvantaged students, and embracing digital technologies for effective governance.
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