A meeting of the Himachal Pradesh cabinet is likely to be held next week. The proposal for the meeting will be sent to the Chief Minister by the General Administration Department, who will then decide when it should be held. The meeting may discuss schemes being implemented at the beginning of the new year.
This meeting, which will be held at the state secretariat, may also discuss matters related to employees and pensioners. The last cabinet meeting was held in Shimla before the winter session.
Stricter rules for official travel
Meanwhile, the central government has tightened the rules for officials traveling to various states across the country at government expense. The center has hired three agencies: Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT), and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
Air tickets will be booked only through these agencies. Previously, officials booked tickets through private travel agencies, online travel portals, or directly with airlines. The central government has clearly stated that such bookings will not be considered valid and will not be reimbursed by the central government. Dr. I.K. Pateria, Director of the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) Phase III, under the Ministry of Rural Development, has issued these orders to the Himachal Pradesh government.