Himachal Pradesh withdraws Cabinet rank of board chairmen

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Government on Tuesday said here that the government has decided to withdraw the status of 'Cabinet Rank' presently accorded to various authorities, including Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Deputy Chairman of Boards, Corporations and Commissions, as well as Principal Advisors and Political Advisors.

A government spokesperson said that the decision has been taken as part of efforts to streamline administrative protocol. He further informed that in addition, 20 per cent of the salary and monthly emoluments of the authorities concerned will stay deferred till September 30, 2026.

The spokesperson added that necessary directions have been issued to all Administrative Secretaries to take prompt action in this regard.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a one-day Principal's Conference on reforms in higher education in Shimla, said that despite financial challenges, the budget for the education and health sectors would not be curtailed.

He said education is a top priority for the state government and that focused efforts are being made to provide quality education to students, even in far-flung areas.