Shimla, March 8 -- In a major administrative overhaul ahead of the panchayat elections scheduled for May, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved significant amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act, effectively changing the reservation roster. Presided over by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the cabinet decided that panchayats that have remained reserved for the same category for two consecutive terms since the base year 2010 will no longer be reserved in the forthcoming elections. Revenue minister Jagat Negi explained that the old rules were "depriving members of other categories the opportunity to contest", and the new rules would ensure a fairer distribution of electoral opportunities. The government has now invited public objections and suggestions on the proposed amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Elections) Rules, 1994. In a move to strengthen the social safety net, the cabinet approved amendments to the Social Security Pension Rules, 2010, by redefining 'destitute'. Under the revised provisions, women abandoned by their husbands, living separately without an independent source of income, will be officially classified as destitute to simplify their access to benefits. The cabinet also took a tough stance on the energy sector, cancelling 15 hydroelectric projects that failed to commission despite receiving benefits under a one-time amnesty scheme.Conversely, the 10 MW Small Hydro Electric Project at Pandoh was allotted to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), subject to the return of unused land to the state. Himachal will receive 13% free power and a 5% share from this project. To boost tourism and connectivity, Heli-Taxi services on the Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh route will be enhanced from three to 12 sorties per week, operating twice daily for six days a week with state-backed viability gap funding. The cabinet also addressed pending labour issues, deciding to release the salaries of Jal Jeevan Mission outsourced employees from state resources. Minister Negi noted that these employees had not been paid for 6-7 months due to the Union government withholding funds....