Initiative to ensure sustainable livelihoods for border villagers : CM

A tripartite MOU was signed here today in the presence of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu between the Indian Army, Government of Himachal Pradesh and Shree Baidyanath Ayurved, Jhansi, aiming to promote large scale cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in selected border and remote villages of the State.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the collaborative framework will play a vital role in reviving and promoting traditional ayurvedic practices and generating sustainable rural livelihoods at the same time.

The agreement was signed by Col. T.S.K Singh on behalf of Indian Army, Director Ayush, Rohit Jamwal on behalf of State Government and Shailesh Sharma from Shree Baidyanath Ayurved, Jhansi.

As per MoU, Ayush Department will provide technical knowhow and impart training on various aspects of cultivation of medicinal plant. The Company will ensure assured procurement at fixed prices and will also supply high quality seeds or saplings of the selected medicinal plants. The Indian Army will carry out training and technical sessions for the farmers.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Secretary Ayush Priyanka Basu, Lt. General D.G. Mishra, Brigadier Anurag Pandey besides senior officers of State Government and Indian Army were present on the occasion.

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Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized the importance of providing quality education, particularly in rural areas of the state, and said that educational institutions should be judged not merely by infrastructure but by the quality of education imparted and the manner in which students’ talents are nurtured.

The Governor was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the undergraduate programmes at Sarvepalli Dr. Radhakrishnan College of Education, Nogli, in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district, today.

He said that teachers and teacher training play a crucial role in shaping students, as true education instills the spirit of a teacher within learners. He stressed that training should be aligned with Indian ethos and values. “A good teacher bears the responsibility of shaping good students. In the present times, the concept of ‘guru’ has been replaced by that of a ‘teacher’, but in Indian tradition, the guru has always been revered as a guide and torchbearer of society,” he remarked.

Citing examples from Indian tradition, the Governor said that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna also followed the guru-shishya tradition and adhered to the teachings of their gurus. “The guru is always a guide for society, and when one follows the guru with faith and sincerity, success naturally follows,” he added.

He said that Dr. Radhakrishnan believed teachers were not just subject experts but architects of character, and urged the college to function in accordance with his ideals. The Governor added that the launch of undergraduate courses would open new avenues for students of the region, enabling them to access higher education locally and move towards self-reliance.

Referring to the National Education Policy, the Governor said that the new policy provides an opportunity to reconnect with India’s great thinkers and leaders, while imparting values, ethics among students. He underlined that to protect Himachal Pradesh, it was imperative to eliminate the menace of drug abuse from society.

Earlier, Chairman and Managing Director of the institution, Dr. Mukesh Sharma, welcomed and honoured the Governor and apprised him of the institution’s activities. He also provided details about the newly introduced courses-B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. and informed that free education facilities were being extended to students from economically weaker sections.

Principal Dr. Seema Bhardwaj also welcomed the Governor.

On the occasion, students of the college presented cultural programmes.

The Governor also released the book “Assessment for Learning”, authored by Dr. Mukesh Kumar and Dr. Seema Bhardwaj, and honoured outstanding individuals from various institutions, social sectors and meritorious students.

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The State Cabinet, in its meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, decided to establish a state-of-the-art Cancer Care Centre at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur. The Cabinet also approved the creation of 11 new departments in Cancer Care Centre and the creation and filling up of requisite posts of various categories.

The Cabinet decided to amend Social Security (Pension and Allowance) Rule, 2010 to ensure time-bound disbursal of social security pension to the beneficiaries. 

The Cabinet also gave its approval to adopt the National Policy on Geothermal Energy to facilitate the exploration and development of untapped geothermal energy resources in the State. It approved the Directorate of Energy as the Nodal Agency for the implementation of this policy and sanctioned amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021 to incorporate guidelines related to geothermal energy.

The State Cabinet gave its approval to promulgate an Ordinance to levy ‘Orphan and Widow Cess’ on petrol and high-speed diesel at the point of first sale in the State, with the objective of strengthening welfare schemes for orphans and widows. The cess will be non-burdensome to consumers, while ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources for the effective implementation of these welfare schemes.

The Cabinet approved allotment of  four hydro electric projects upto 25 MW viz. 6 MW Khauli-II, 24 MW Malana-III, 21.9 MW Manalsu and 18 MW Dhancho Hydro Electric projects, to the successful bidders after completion of the tendering process.

The Cabinet decided to construct a 4.3-kilometre-long Naddi Zipline Project near Dharamsala in Kangra district at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.41 crore. Upon completion, it will be Asia’s longest zipline and is expected to emerge as a major attraction for tourists visiting the area.

The Cabinet gave its nod to amend the Senior Resident Doctor Policy by providing 66.66 per cent quota for in-service GDOs/MOs and 33.33 per cent seats for direct candidates. It further decided that the distribution of seats shall be interchangeable in case of non-availability of eligible candidates in their respective categories.

The Cabinet approved filling up of 11 posts of Assistant Commissioner, State Taxes and Excise. 

The Cabinet decided to fill up 11 posts  of different categories as Job Trainees in the Residential Institute for Mentally Challenged Children, Hiranagar in Shimla district.

It gave its nod to create and fill up 11 posts of different categories in Disaster Management Cell of Revenue Department. 

It okayed the filling of 6 posts of Tehsildar in the department of Revenue. 

Further, it was also decided to re-engage retired revenue officers on fixed remuneration for the early disposal of the pending cases in the revenue department.  

The Cabinet decided to fill up four posts of Junior Engineer (Horticulture) as Job Trainee in the Public Works Department. 

It also decided to create and fill up four posts of various categories for Volleyball Sports Hostel at Bhareri in district Hamirpur. 

The Cabinet decided to amend the provisions of the policy relating to the post of Assistant Staff Nurse. Under the revised provisions, the age limit for the post has been changed to 18 years to 45 years, along with a five-year age relaxation for candidates belonging to SC/ST and other eligible categories. Earlier, the prescribed age limit was 21 years to 32 years.

The Cabinet permitted to construct 8 additional blocks in the campus of AIIMS Hospital Bilaspur to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure. 

The Cabinet decided to extend the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019 upto 31st March, 2026 to promote sustainable industrial development, employment opportunities, enhancing ease of doing business and attracting investment in the State. 

It decided to in-principle take over the Institute for Children with Special Abilities, Dhalli, district Shimla. 

It gave its approval for the Standard Operating Procedure-cum-guidelines for the recruitment of Crèche workers and crèche helpers in the State.

The Cabinet decided to establish four new laboratories for nutritional profiling and strengthening of food testing eco system one each in districts Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan (Baddi) and upgradation of composite testing laboratory at Kandaghat in Solan district alongwith creation and filling up requisite posts.

It also allowed the Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. to operate 46 seater aircraft for seven day in a week on Delhi-Shimla-Delhi and Shimla-Dharamshala-Shimla routes. 

The Cabinet gave its nod to construct a new Ice skating rink in Shimla. 

To regulate the functioning of Revenue Officers as well as appointment, duties, emoluments and punishment of Village Officers, the Cabinet gave its approval to Himachal Land Revenue Rules, 2025.  

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Felicitates doctors and health institutions for their contribution

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the ‘Doctor's Award-2025' organized by Hindi daily newspaper in Peterhoff on Sunday said that the newspapers were doing commendable work in helping the people perform and achieve better in their life. The Newspapers were providing platforms for the women and youth by organizing various motivational programmes for them and Doctor's Award-2025 was one such platform.

On the occasion Chief Minister felicitated Head of the Department Nephrology AIIMS Bilaspur Prof (Dr.) Sanjay Vikrant, Principal-cum-Professor and Head Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities Prof (Dr.) Brij Sharma, Shimla, Vice Chancellor National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur Prof. Sanjeev Sharma, Professor & Head Neurology AIMSS Chamiyana Dr. Sudhir Sharma, Rheumatologist Department of Medicine, IGMC Shimla Dr. Vikas Sharma, Associate professor Urology AIMSS Chamiyana Dr. Kailash Barwal, HOD Orthopedics Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College Chamba Dr. Manik Sehgal, Neurosurgeon (Brain and spine specialist) Dr. RPGMC Tanda Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Assistant professor Renal Transplant surgery Dr. RPGMC Tanda Dr. Amit Sharma, Medical Officer Specialist (Orthopedics) Zonal Hospital Mandi Dr. Virender Negi, Medical Officer Specialist (OBG) Zonal Hospital Mandi Dr. Varun Kapoor, Medical Officer Specialist (General Surgery) Zonal Hospital Mandi Dr. Deepak Thakur, Medical Officer Specialist (General Surgery) Regional Hospital, Reckong Peo Kinnaur Dr. Bhartendu Nagesh, Retina and Uveitis expert Abhinam Eye Care Centre Solan Dr. Abhiraj Kumar for their selfless and extraordinary health services and Mr. Pankaj Rai, IAS Deputy Director (Administration) PGIMER Chandigarh for his visionary leadership in advancing patient-centric healthcare in PGIEMR Chandigarh.

The awards were also given to Tenzin Hospital Shimla, Negi Clinic & Nursing Home Theog, Shimla, Janta Hospital & Piles Centre, Dr. Daksh Khurana Liver & Digestive Care and Karan Singh Vaidh Ancient Ayurvedas for providing excellent health care services.

Congratulating the awardees, the Chief Minister said the State Government, guided by ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’, has given special thrust to the health sector, achieving visible transformation through decisive governance and progressive reforms over the last three years. He said restoration of the Old Pension Scheme led to the Centre restricting the State’s borrowing limit by Rs. 1,600 crore, while the Revenue Deficit Grant declined from Rs. 10,949 crore in 2021-22 to Rs. 3,257 crore in 2025-26.

Highlighting health sector achievements, he said robotic surgery was introduced for the first time at AIMSS Chamiyana and Tanda Medical College, with 120 successful robotic surgeries already performed at Chamiyana. Robotic facilities will be extended to all medical colleges by early 2026. The State is investing Rs. 3,000 crore to upgrade healthcare infrastructure, fill vacant health posts in phases, and ensure advanced treatment within the State.

He said an Advanced Pediatric Centre is being set up at AIMSS Chamiyana, while Rs. 75 crore has been approved for AI-equipped smart labs at IGMC and Tanda to reduce diagnostic wait times. Special OPD slots for senior citizens above 70 years are being introduced. Recruitment of 236 doctors is underway, 150 additional posts have been sanctioned, resident doctors’ duty hours reduced from 36 to 12 hours, and stipends enhanced—senior residents from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 and super-specialty residents from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 1,30,000 per month.

He said that the consistent efforts of the present government have significantly improved Himachal Pradesh’s education sector, with the State jumping from 21st to 5th rank in the NAS survey, introducing the CBSE curriculum in 100 government schools, starting work on Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools, supporting 6,000 orphans as “Children of the State,” and establishing a Centre of Excellence for Divyaangjans, while also highlighting tourism as a key growth engine under the vision of Vyavastha Parivartan, with Kangra being developed as the tourism capital of the State.

Earlier, Principal Editor of Divya Himachal Anil Soni welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. He presented the journey and contributions of the newspaper in the social sector.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Chairman HPTDC RS Bali, Mayor of MC Shimla Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Director Information and Public Relations Rajiv Kumar, Regional Editor Divya Himachal Sanjay Awasthi along with other dignitaries were also present.

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Directs to procure quality medicines from the manufacturers

 Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a meeting of senior officers of Health Department and directed that patients visiting government health institutions be provided with quality medicines. He said that the State Government would soon invite tenders of approximately Rs. 100 crore for the procurement of medicines and would also ensure the participation of reputed pharmaceutical companies.

He said that medicines would be procured directly from manufacturers, so that world-class drugs are made available to patients in government health institutions across the state. He added that, if required, the state government would also make amendments to the Drugs Act to ensure quality medicines for the people to safeguard public interest.

The present  government was making continuous efforts to bring improvements in the health sector and several reforms were being implemented in this direction. Emphasising that quality medicines were essential for delivering better healthcare services, he said that the government’s focus was to ensure world-class health facilities for the people within the state itself.

The Chief Minister also directed the Food, Civil Supplies Corporation to procure medicines for its jan aushadhi and other medicine outlets directly from pharmaceutical companies and not from the authorized dealers.

He said that there was no dearth of funds with the state government, however, public money must be spent solely in the interest and welfare of the people.

Health Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty, Managing Director, H.P. State Civil Supplies Corporation, Rajeshwar Goyal, Special Secretary Health Jitender Sanjta, Director of Health Services Dr. Gopal Beri and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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Historic transformation in health sector ahead: Chief Minister

Rs.1,300 Crore JICA–II boost for health sector, Major decentralization of administrative and financial powers announced

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a decisive and far-reaching overhaul of the health sector, asserting that revolutionary changes would be visible within one year and that Himachal Pradesh would emerge as the country’s number one state in healthcare services within the next three years.

Addressing a first-of-its-kind State-Level Health Dialogue Session at Peterhoff, Shimla, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would spend Rs.1,300 crore under JICA Phase–II to strengthen healthcare delivery.  Nearly Rs. 3,000 crore would be invested over the next three years to equip health institutions with world-class high-end medical technology.

For the first time in the State’s history, a direct and extended interaction was held between the Chief Minister and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), Block Medical Officers (BMOs) and Medical Superintendents (MSs). The marathon dialogue session continued for nearly four-and-a-half hours, during which the Chief Minister engaged in detailed discussions on grassroots challenges, operational issues and policy-level reforms. Several key decisions were taken on the spot, ensuring immediate resolution of long-pending matters.

Emphasizing that strong health administration is the backbone of quality healthcare, the Chief Minister announced decentralization of administrative and financial powers. CMOs, BMOs and MSs would be vested with enhanced financial authority, while necessary amendments would be introduced in the Financial Rules to make procedures simpler, faster and more effective.

He said that financial and decision-making powers related to sanitation arrangements in health institutions would be delegated to CMOs. Special dedicated funds would also be created for CMOs and MSs to meet urgent and essential hospital requirements.

The Chief Minister announced that the State Government would actively consider increasing the salary of Job Trainee Doctors. He informed that recruitment of 236 doctors is currently underway and 150 additional posts have already been sanctioned. To ensure complete transparency, marks obtained in both written examinations and interviews would be included in the final merit list.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to systemic transformation, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the impact of reforms would be clearly visible within a year. “Within the next three years, Himachal Pradesh will set national benchmarks in healthcare delivery,” he asserted.

He said that Model Health Institutions being developed across the State would act as game changers for the healthcare ecosystem. These institutions would be equipped with globally benchmarked high-end technology. Medical equipment older than 15 years would be replaced, significantly improving patient care and reducing the workload on doctors. Operation Theatre facilities would be ensured in every Model Health Institution.
The Chief Minister further announced that security arrangements in all health institutions would be strengthened through the Ex-Servicemen Corporation. Rationalisation of Primary Health Centres and Delivery Points would be carried out on the basis of clearly defined parameters to improve efficiency and accessibility.

He directed that construction works of health institution buildings having achieved more than 60 percent progress must be completed by 31^st March, 2026 without fail.

Highlighting quality standards, the Chief Minister said that all medical equipment would be procured strictly as per AIIMS specifications. CT Scan machines would be purchased with a ten-year comprehensive maintenance guarantee.

He informed that advanced technologies such as robotic surgery and smart laboratories are being integrated into the State’s healthcare system. Robotic surgery has already commenced at Chamiyana and Tanda hospitals and will soon be introduced at Nerchowk and Hamirpur Medical Colleges. So far, 120 successful robotic surgeries have been performed at Chamiyana Hospital alone.

The State Government will invest Rs. 75 crore in establishing Smart Labs, enabling multiple diagnostic tests from a single blood sample, thereby ensuring faster, accurate and patient-friendly diagnostics.

The Chief Minister said that meaningful reforms would also be introduced in Rogi Kalyan Samitis. The audit of the HIMCARE scheme is underway and the scheme would be strengthened further. Medical Superintendents would also be empowered to issue up to 100 HIMCARE cards.

Underscoring the human aspect of healthcare, he said that doctors must display compassion, sensitivity and calm behaviour, as humane conduct plays a crucial role in the healing process and boosts patients’ mental well-being.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, while addressing the gathering, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for according highest priority to the health sector. He added that multi-pronged efforts are underway to deliver high-quality services in Model Health Institutions.

Secretary Health Priyanka Basu Ingty welcomed the Chief Minister and shared key departmental insights, while Director Health Services Gopal Berry presented a detailed overview of the progress achieved by the Health Department.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Vivek Sharma, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Mission Director NHM Pradeep Thakur, President of Himachal Medical Officers Association Rajesh Rana and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

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