Himachal Pradesh Government

CM dedicates projects worth Rs.36 crore in Nagrota Bagwan
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during his tour to Kangra district on Monday performed inaugurations and foundations stones of eight development projects worth Rs. 36 crore for Nagrota Bagwan assembly constituency.

He inaugurated Rs. 3.10 crore Fire Post building at Nagrota Bagwan, Rs. 4.80 crore road from Malan to Gujrehra Pathiar and Sakrehar, Rs. 4.84 crore metalling and tarring of Kharat Jandrah Aerla Ropa Kardiana road and bridge over Dharoon khad to connect Kaled with village Kari Da Bag completed with an outlay of Rs. 3.47 crore.

He also laid foundation stones of Rs. 9.56 crore Rangehar Sadoon Malmu to Nera road including bridge over Nera khad and Rs. 10 crore various electrical infrastructure development works in Nagrota Bagwan area.

Earlier, on his arrival at Nagota Bagwan, the Chief Minister was accorded a rousing reception by the people.

Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Chairman of H.P. Tourism Development Corporation R.S Bali, MLAs Sanjay Awasthi and Kamlesh Thakur, Vice Chairman, HRTC Ajay Verma were also present on the occasion.

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Government mulls to enhance MSP for wool in next Budget: CM
The 'Land Grazing Rights' of the Gaddi community should not be interfered with

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was accorded a rousing reception by Chairman Himachal Pradesh State Wool Federation Manoj Kumar along with a large number of supporters on his arrival at Dharamshala in Kangra district today.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Government was actively considering an increase in compensation for the loss of goats and sheep, and efforts would be made to amend the relief manual to enhance this compensation as much as possible in the near future. He reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of the Gaddi community and said that the next State Budget will include a proposal to enhance the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wool, thereby ensuring a dignified livelihood for wool producers.

Sh. Sukhu said that the Forest Department has been directed not to intervene with the 'Land Grazing Rights' of the community which was their customary privilege on such pastures.

Earlier, Chairman of State Wool Federation Manoj Kumar honoured the Chief Minister and expressed his gratitude for the government’s proactive approach towards addressing the long-standing issues faced by the Gaddi community. He thanked the Chief Minister for resolving the problems of the Gaddi community on priority basis.

Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Chairman APMC Nishu Mongra, and senior Congress leader Devender Jaggi were also present on the occasion.

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Governor applauds talent and culture at Dental College fest
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla graced the valedictory ceremony of “Eruption–2025,” the inter-college fest organized by Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla at IGMC today.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that education and culture can greatly enrich each other, and festivals like ‘Eruption’ are a powerful medium to reinforce this synergy. He congratulated the college management and the student council for organizing such a vibrant, creative, and inspiring event, and applauded the outstanding cultural performances by the students.

The Governor was deeply moved by the cultural presentations and said the students have not only excelled academically but have also showcased a glimpse of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat through their performances. As a token of appreciation, he announced a rupees two lakh contribution from his discretionary fund to support and encourage their artistic efforts.

He described Eruption as more than just a cultural or academic celebration, it is a platform for talent, vision, confidence, and collective consciousness. "Beyond the classroom, events like these allow students to nurture other dimensions of their personality, from art and music to teamwork and leadership," he noted.

Referring to his state-wide anti-drug campaign, the Governor reiterated that it is a mission inspired by the Prime Minister, and urged the youth to stay vigilant. “Himachal is known for its honesty and innocence, which anti-social elements try to exploit. We must take this issue seriously and unite to eliminate drug abuse,” he said. He also appreciated the support of ‘Medivision’, the doctors’ association at IGMC, for their contributions in this direction.

Highlighting the significance of oral healthcare, Shri Shukla remarked, “A smile is a global language, and it is heartening to see that you all play a vital role in bringing genuine smiles to countless faces.” He acknowledged the commendable contributions of Government Dental College, Shimla, in producing skilled, compassionate dental professionals since its inception in 1994.

Emphasizing that dental education is not merely a profession but a field of service, empathy, and responsibility, the Governor urged young professionals to stay updated with emerging technologies.

The Governor also felicitated winners for their exemplary performances.

Earlier, Principal Dr. Ashu Gupta presented an overview of the college’s academic and co-curricular initiatives.

SCA President Dr. Muskaan shared details about Eruption-2025 and General Secretary Dr. Vaidehi Sharma delivered the vote of thanks.

Principal of IGMC Dr. Seeta Thakur, faculty members, heads of departments, and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.

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Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates two-day annual conference of CPA Zone-2 at Tapovan
Anti-Defection Law, a must in safeguarding democracy says CM

Sukhu emphasizes a separate policy for hill states

The two-day annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region Zone-2 commenced today at Tapovan in Dharamshala. The event was inaugurated by Speaker Lok Sabha Om Birla. The conference witnessed the participation of Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Chief Whips, and Deputy Chief Whips from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, all part of Zone-2. In addition, the Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies of Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana were present as special guests.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while welcoming all the dignitaries and congratulating Speaker of H.P. Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania for organizing the event, said that this conference was a significant initiative towards strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing legislative processes, fostering democratic dialogue, and promoting regional co-operation.

The Chief Minister stated that for the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh, an attempt was made to overthrow a democratically elected government. However, the Speaker of Vidhan Sabha took a lawful stance and disqualified the concerned MLAs. He stressed the importance of the Anti-Defection Law in safeguarding democracy and said, “The State Vidhan Sabha has passed a Bill to stop the pensions of disqualified legislators, which was currently awaiting the Governor’s approval.”

Himachal Pradesh has become a model for other States, especially in terms of digital democracy, said Sh. Sukhu. In 2014, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first completely paperless Assembly in the country, with all proceedings conducted digitally. He also raised the issue of conducting by-elections only once a year under the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework and requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to take up the matter at an appropriate forum.

He also advocated for separate policy for the hill States keeping in view the tough topography and said, “Nation cannot prosper if the States will not progress. Himachal has suffered due to the implementation of GST and therefore separate policy should be formulated for Hill States.”

Sh. Sukhu further said that the State Government was committed to ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ for ensuring good governance. Under the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ initiative, Ministers have visited over 1,000 Panchayats to engage directly with citizens and address local issues at the earliest. He said that remarkable progress made in the fields of health and education. “Himachal Pradesh secured the 5^th position in the NAS Survey 2025, a significant jump from the 21^st position in 2021, reflecting the State’s commitment to quality education,” he added.

He also highlighted the introduction of robotic surgery in the State as a landmark step towards modernizing healthcare facilities. He also said that the government is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and has passed the Himachal Pradesh Organized Crime (Prevention & Control) Bill, 2025, which includes provisions for the death penalty, life imprisonment, heavy fines, and confiscation of the property of the offenders.

The Chief Minister reiterated the State’s commitment to welfare schemes and agricultural reforms. Over 1.36 lakh government employees have been brought under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and nearly three lakh women were receiving Rs. 1,500 monthly under the ‘Indira Gandhi Pyari Bahna Samman Nidhi Yojana’. The state has introduced Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for wheat, maize, and raw turmeric, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said, “In an effort to boost border tourism, the government has opened the Shipki-La Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,930 meters along the India-China border, for tourism activities. This is expected to significantly boost tourism in the tribal areas of Kinnaur district.”

Speaker of the H.P Vidhan Sabha, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, extended a warm welcome to all the delegates and expressed pride in hosting the CPA Zone-2 conference for the first time in Dharamsala. He noted that for the past two decades, the Winter session of the Himachal Assembly has been conducted in Dharamshala and that this conference marks a new beginning for many such future events in the region.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also called for concerted efforts to strengthen democracy and expressed concern over the threat posed by defection by the legislators. He congratulated the Speaker for successfully organizing the conference.

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Dr. Harivansh Narayan Singh also spoke on the occasion.

AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, Deputy Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly Vinay Kumar were also present on the occasion, along with several representatives from participating states.

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State government to launch massive anti-drug campaign shortly: CM
CM felicitates winners of 12th HP Police Half Marathon in Shimla

To raise awareness against drug abuse, the Himachal Pradesh Police Department organized the 12th HP Police Half Marathon in Shimla on Sunday. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu felicitated the winners of the marathon, which featured participation in men’s, women’s, and senior citizens’ (75+ years) categories.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the involvement of government employees in drug-related activities. He said that strict action has already been taken against 80 government employees facing legal proceedings so far. He said even police personnel have been found involved in drug trafficking activities and added that the state government is considering to amend the Police Manual to ensure greater accountability within the force.

The Chief Minister said that the government is preparing to launch a large-scale anti-drug campaign in the near future. “Mapping is being conducted at the panchayat ward level to facilitate targeted intervention,” he stated. The government is also forming a Special Task Force to clamp down on drug trafficking and recruitment process is already underway. Additionally, 500 new posts will be filled in the Police department to strengthen enforcement efforts, he added. “Youth are the future of our nation, and protecting them from the menace of drugs is a collective responsibility,” said the Chief Minister, reiterating the government’s policy of zero tolerance towards drug abuse.

The CM stated that the state is working on a two-pronged strategy, strict enforcement and a sensitive approach towards victims. The present government has implemented the PIT-NDPS Act, which was not enforced during the previous BJP government’s five-year tenure. Under this Act, 40 detention orders have been approved, 36 of which were issued this year. The government has also demolished properties belonging to seven drug peddlers and is actively pursuing action against others, he added.

Furthermore, Sh. Sukhu said the state has passed the HP Anti-Drugs Act, which distinguishes between offenders and victims. The law adopts a rehabilitative approach towards drug users, aiming to bring them back into the mainstream of society. He urged parents to maintain open communication with their children and educate them about the harmful effects of drugs. He called upon all sections of society to actively participate in the anti-drug campaign to safeguard the future of the youth.

As part of the awareness drive, the Chief Minister also released a special song of ‘Harmony of the Pines’ dedicated to the anti-drug campaign.

MLA Harish Janartha, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the CM Naresh Chauhan, Additional Chief Secretary KK Pant, DGP Ashok Tiwari, senior police officers and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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Governor flags off 12th Half Marathon with the Theme “Together We Defeat Drugs”

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla flagged off the 12^th Half Marathon organized by the Himachal Pradesh Police Department from the Historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla, today. The event was held under the impactful theme “Together We Defeat Drugs.”

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor commended the enthusiasm of participants, especially the youth, despite heavy rains. He noted that people from all walks of life including children, youth, the elderly, and even differently-abled individuals participated in the marathon, which is a commendable show of collective spirit against drug abuse.

“The enthusiasm may take time, but we are determined to make Himachal a drug-free state,” said the Governor. He emphasized that the campaign “Together We Defeat Drugs” must reach every household, and lauded the police department for its committed efforts toward this goal.

The Governor further stated that the sanctity and cultural pride of Devbhoomi Himachal would be restored, and drug abuse eradicated. He called upon every section of society to actively participate in such awareness campaigns, noting that a united effort is the only way to eliminate the menace of drugs. On the occasion, the Governor administered an oath to the participants to stay away from all forms of intoxicants.

Shri Shukla also inaugurated an exhibition set up by the State Police and signed the ‘Signature Board’ to mark his solidarity with the campaign against drug abuse.

The marathon was divided into four categories: Half Marathon, Mini Marathon, Dream Run, and a special run for differently-abled participants. The winner of the Half Marathon will be awarded a cash prize of rupees 51,000.

Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Shimla Anupam Kashyap, senior police officials and other distinguished guests were also present on the occasion.

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