Himachal Pradesh Government

NIFT graduate Akshita Sharma presents artwork to Chief Minister
NIFT Delhi graduate Akshita Sharma today presented an artwork to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The artwork, inspired by the mud-washed walls of Spiti and Lahaul, blends earth with essence and incorporates agate and jasper stones traditionally used in Himalayan jewellery. These stones, embedded into the surface, serve not only as cultural markers but also as carriers of grounding and protective energies. The Chief Minister lauded Akshita’s efforts, congratulating her for reviving heritage crafts, curating meaningful cultural showcases and creating new product lines that celebrate Himachal’s rich traditions.

A 2016 graduate of NIFT Delhi, Akshita Sharma is a designer and creative consultant working at the intersection of craft, culture and contemporary design. Over the past five years, she has collaborated with artisan clusters and government bodies across Himachal Pradesh. Her practice spans design interventions, artisan empowerment, exhibition curation, and market linkages, with a strong focus on sustainability and storytelling.

From reviving the hemp Pulla craft in Gadagushaini to curating gifts for the Prime Minister, the President of India, and spiritual leader Sadhguru, Akshita has been at the forefront of showcasing Himachal’s heritage in modern contexts. She also represented the state at the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Continuing her mission, Akshita works closely with institutions, startups, and artisan communities to ensure that craft remains a living and evolving part of everyday life in her home state.

-0-

Read More
Will bring significant improvement in medical colleges within one year: CM
CM chairs review meeting of medical education department

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a review meeting of the Medical Education Department and stated that the State Government will bring significant improvements in all medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh within one year. He said that this will ensure that people get access to advanced healthcare facilities within the State itself, without the need to travel outside for treatment.

The Chief Minister said that the government is streamlining the functioning of medical colleges. Robotic surgery has already been introduced at Chamiyana Super-Specialty Hospital and Tanda Medical College and the facility will be gradually extended to other medical colleges across the State in a phased manner.

Reviewing the availability of staff, equipment, and machinery in all medical colleges, he said the government is installing modern medical machines and assured that there is no shortage of funds for strengthening health services. The government is also making serious efforts to address the shortage of doctors, paramedical staff and technical staff. He directed that proper cleanliness be maintained in all medical colleges and said that accountability will be fixed in case of negligence.

Sh. Sukhu said that automated laboratories would be set up in Chamiyana, Hamirpur and Chamba Medical colleges at a cost of Rs. 25 crore each. He directed that the construction of the Critical Care Block at Chamba Medical College be completed by October this year and informed that the State Government will provide Rs. 100 crore for the construction of the Academic Block there. Hostels for senior resident doctors and staff of medical college Chamba will also be built.

The Chief Minister further said that nursing colleges will start functioning from the next academic session at Nahan, Hamirpur, Kullu and Chamba to address the shortage of nursing staff in the State. He emphasized that all health institutions will ensure doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratios as per international standards, so that people receive the best possible healthcare services. He also sought OPD and IPD data from all medical colleges.

Secretary Health M. Sudha Devi, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Special Secretary Ashwini Sharma, Director Medical Education Rakesh Sharma, Director Health Services Gopal Berry, along with principals of all medical colleges who joined virtually, were present in the meeting.

-0-

Read More
CM advocates separate norms for hill states in state-wise allocations by NABARD
Deputy Managing Director of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Goverdhan Singh Rawat, called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at his official residence, Oak Over, today. The Chief Minister appreciated the pivotal role played by NABARD’s Regional Office in strengthening coordination between the State Government and NABARD’s Head Office, thereby ensuring speedy resolution of important issues.

Sh. Sukhu asked NABARD to consider ground-mounted solar projects as eligible for funding under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), noting that such projects would help Panchayats achieve energy self-sufficiency and advance the State Government’s vision of Green Himachal. He also requested the inclusion of electric buses under RIDF support.

Highlighting the unique challenges of hill states, the Chief Minister called for separate norms for 11 hill states while deciding annual state-wise allocations. He suggested that parameters such as forest cover, greening initiatives and ecological contributions must be considered in the process. The Chief Minister also asked NABARD to assist the State Planning Department in developing robust and seamless supply and value chains in Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, from the farm gate to the consumer, aimed at enhancing farmers’ income. He further emphasized the need to reform long-established procedures by delegating greater flexibility to state governments to make project-specific changes during the execution phase of NABARD-approved programmes.

NABARD officers highlighted challenges faced by cooperative societies due to Section 118 provisions, which limit their functioning. They also suggested assigning the task of milk procurement to Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS), rather than creating new societies and expediting the computerization of PACS.

The Chief Minister assured that all suggestions from NABARD would be duly examined and, if practical, integrated into the State’s development strategy. He reiterated the State Government’s openness to innovative ideas that contribute to sustainable growth and rural prosperity. NABARD officials, in turn, assured the Chief Minister that his suggestions would be taken up at the highest level and efforts would be made to incorporate them into future guidelines.

-0-

Read More
CM inaugurates Robotic Surgery in RPGMC Tanda
Announces increasing of B.Sc. Nursing seats to 60 in Tanda Medical College

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu virtually inaugurated robotic surgery facility at cost of Rs. 30 crore at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda in district Kangra on Friday from Chandigarh. He was supposed to inaugurate this facility in person, but his helicopter could not land at Tanda due to inclement weather conditions.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to provide specialized health services to the people nearer to their homes by using advanced technology. The government had already provided robotic surgery facility at Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialty, Chamiyana (Shimla) recently.

Sh. Sukhu said that after coming to the power, the present state government had given priority to health and education sectors. The modern medical techniques were being introduced in the health institutions of the state and there would be no paucity of funds for this. He said that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan machine would be installed in Tanda Medical College soon so that patients did not require to visit other states for this facility. He said that department of emergency would also be strengthened in the medical colleges across the state.

The Chief Minister announced increasing of seats of B.Sc. Nursing to 60 in Tanda Medical College.

He said that robotic surgery would also be started at medical colleges at Hamirpur, Chamba, Nerchowk and Nahan in a phased manner. He said that 150-200 para-medical staff would also be provided in these medical colleges. The state government would create posts of 50 operation theatre Radiographer as well and incentives would be given to the best performing doctors in their respective field.

Health Minister Col. (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman H.P. Tourism Development Board R.S. Bali, MLAs Sanjay Rattan, Kishori Lal and Ashish Butail, Vice Chairman, HRTC Ajay Verma, former MLAs Ajay Mahajan and Surender Kaku, Principal, Medical College Tanda Dr. Milap Sharma were present at Tanda Medical College during the inaugural ceremony, while Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania was present at Chandigarh with the Chief Minister.

000

Read More
Assam government contributes Rs. 5 crore towards CM Relief Fund
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was presented a cheque of rupees five crore by Power, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister of Assam Prasanta Phukan on behalf of Assam government towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund at New Delhi today to help the disaster affected families suffered due to heavy rains during current monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh.

Besides this, Senior Manager Legal and Corporate Affairs and Lead India Growth, Hindustan Unilever Limited Rahul Bagga also presented a cheque of Rs. 50 lakh while Director, State Transport Baldev Thakur presented rupees one lakh to the Chief Minister towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund at New Delhi.

The Chief Minister thanked this noble gesture and said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that various State governments, philanthropists, organizations and individuals were liberally coming forward for donations towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund of the State which go a long way in providing assistance to the affected families promptly.

-0-

Read More
CM seeks special relief package from Center
Raises various issues of Himachal with PM during review meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of disaster-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh to assess the situation caused by heavy rains and flash floods during the current monsoon and later chaired a review meeting at Kangra airport.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the Prime Minister and honoured him on the occasion. He briefed the Prime Minister on the unprecedented losses caused by torrential rains during this year’s monsoon. He informed that while the State Government was extending all possible help to the affected families with its limited resources, urgent additional support from the Union Government was required.

Sh. Sukhu requested relaxation under the Forest Conservation Act to allow the resettlement of displaced families on forest land, as 68 percent of land in Himachal Pradesh was forest land. He also sought a special relief package from the Central Government, emphasizing that the State’s resources alone were insufficient to cope with the scale of destruction suffered due to heavy rains. Additionally, he urged the Centre to permit an extra two percent borrowing limit so that more effective relief could be extended to disaster-hit families.

Highlighting inadequate support for damaged government projects, the Chief Minister pressed for a revision of existing norms, pointing out that restoring damaged projects often costs more than setting-up new ones. He said “So far we are receiving too low and too late.” He also drew attention to the fact that hydropower projects in the State often remain shut for months after floods, yet such losses were not recognized under the present framework. He appealed to the Centre to reconsider this approach in view of Himachal’s unique challenges due to its geographic terrains.

The Chief Minister further sought Central assistance for state development projects, reiterating Himachal’s demand for free royalty from hydropower generation and the transfer of CPSU-owned power projects to the State after 40 years. He also sought Centre’s support for expansion of Kangra airport, construction of all-weather tunnels under NHAI projects, and development of alternative mountain routes to ensure connectivity during adverse weather. The Bhubu Jot tunnel project, which would benefit travelers to Kullu-Manali, was also strongly raised before the Prime Minister.

Sh. Sukhu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for personally reviewing the disaster-affected areas and giving his valuable time.

The meeting was attended by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, MPs Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj and Kangana Ranaut, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant and Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, among others.

000

Read More