Himachal Cabinet Approves Panchayat Election Changes and Cancels Uncommissioned Hydroelectric Projects

The Himachal Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved key policy changes ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections. Panchayats reserved for the same category for two consecutive terms since 2010 will not be reserved this time, with public feedback invited on amendments to election rules. The cabinet redefined 'destitute' in social security rules to aid abandoned women and canceled 15 uncommissioned hydroelectric projects. It also allocated a 10 MW hydro project at Pandoh to BBMB and approved policies for local infrastructure management and cooperative milk unions.