• Union Minister directs to finalize techno-economic feasibility report for Kangra Airport expansion within two months
• Centre agrees to provide funding for construction of heliports under UDAN scheme

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today met Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi and held detailed discussions on various issues related to strengthening air connectivity and expanding aviation infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister took up the matter of expansion of Kangra Airport on priority, highlighting its importance for tourism development in the State. He said tourism plays a significant role in the State’s economy and that improved air connectivity would facilitate the movement of tourists and provide further impetus to tourism activities. He informed the Union Minister that the land acquisition process for the expansion of Kangra Airport has already been completed.

During the meeting, the Union Civil Aviation Minister directed the concerned authorities to finalise the techno-economic feasibility report for the expansion of Kangra Airport within two months. He directed the officials to appoint a competent consultant for the project and ensure that the report is finalised within the stipulated timeframe.

The Chief Minister said that if the techno-economic feasibility report is finalised within two months, the expansion process of Kangra Airport would gain momentum and the project could move forward at a faster pace. He also urged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to undertake a realistic assessment of the project cost.

The Chief Minister also raised the issue of heliports being developed in various parts of the state, keeping in view Himachal Pradesh’s difficult geographical terrain. He said that strengthening the heliport network was essential to provide better air connectivity to remote and inaccessible areas and to ensure quick access during emergencies. He sought Central support for the construction of heliports.

The Centre agreed to provide funding for the construction of heliports in Himachal Pradesh under the UDAN scheme.

The operation of regular flights from Shimla Airport was also discussed during the meeting. The Union Civil Aviation Minister assured necessary support for providing regular air connectivity to Shimla. The possibilities of operating suitable aircraft in accordance with the runway capacity of Shimla Airport were also discussed.

The Chief Minister further urged that, on the lines of Kangra Airport, the security arrangements at Shimla Airport be entrusted to the Himachal Pradesh Police instead of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Union Ministry agreed to the proposal.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was committed to strengthening air connectivity across Himachal Pradesh. He said that the expansion of Kangra Airport, regular air connectivity from Shimla Airport and strengthening of the heliport network would not only provide a boost to tourism but also improve air connectivity for people living in remote and far-flung areas of the State.

Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, Ram Subhag Singh; Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar; Secretary to the Chief Minister  Rakesh Kanwar, Principal Resident Commissioner  Ajay Kumar and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

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• Governor calls upon graduates to become creators of opportunities and solutions
• Presents gold medals to meritorious students

Governor Kavinder Gupta today presides over the 4^th Convocation of ICFAI University at Baddi in Solan District and presented gold medals to meritorious students on the occasion. He also congratulated graduating students, medal winners, their parents, teachers and the university fraternity.

The Governor said that convocation marked not the culmination of an academic journey but the beginning of a new phase of life. He urged the graduates to make integrity, discipline and continuous learning the foundation of their lives and to build their identity through knowledge, character, conduct and contribution to society.

Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047 and the National Education Policy-2020, the Governor said that education must go beyond degrees and employment and focus on knowledge, skills, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and character building. He called upon universities to prepare young people not merely as job seekers but as creators of opportunities and solutions.

The Governor said rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence, digital technology and scientific innovation were transforming the world of work. While technological skills were essential, critical thinking, creativity, empathy, sensitivity and ethical values would remain equally important. He urged the graduating students to use their knowledge and talent not only for personal success but also for the welfare of society and the progress of the nation. He also called upon them to contribute towards environmental protection, sustainable development, a drug-free society and social harmony. He expressed confidence that ICFAI University would continue to contribute to the national vision of a knowledge-driven and developed India.

The Governor said that knowledge gives direction, character gives stature and service give meaning to life. He wished all the graduates a bright, successful and fulfilling future and expressed hope that their achievements would contribute to the progress of Himachal Pradesh and the nation.

Earlier, the Governor planted a Rudraksha sapling in university campus.

Chancellor, ICFAI University Prof. B.N. Raj welcomed the Governor and presented degree certificates and silver medals to the graduates, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University Prof. Keshav Sharma also welcomed the Governor and presented the university’s progress report.

 MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary, DC Manmohan Sharma, SP Vinod Dhiman and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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• State Govt. proposes Hanle-Like astronomy centre in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi
• Seeks support for lavender sites, school science museums & panchayat weather monitoring

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh and discussed a range of proposals aimed at strengthening science and technology-based initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the state’s remote and tribal areas.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister of the state government’s proposal to establish a centre for astronomy and astrophysics in the high-altitude tribal regions of Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi, on the lines of the successful astronomical initiatives at Hanle in Ladakh. He said that the proposed centre would leverage the region’s favourable conditions for astronomical research and observations, while providing opportunities for local youth and students to develop scientific interest and creating new avenues for sustainable, knowledge-based tourism in the tribal areas of the State.

The Chief Minister also discussed measures to promote lavender cultivation in Himachal Pradesh and requested support through the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for expanding demonstration sites for lavender cultivation across the State. He said that wider demonstration sites would enable farmers to understand suitable cultivation practices, improve awareness about the crop and encourage the adoption of lavender as an alternative and remunerative crop.

Seeking greater exposure to science and technology among students, the Chief Minister requested assistance for establishing science museums in schools located in the aspirational blocks of Himachal Pradesh. He said that such facilities would promote scientific curiosity among students, provide opportunities for experiential learning and encourage greater interest in science, technology and innovation.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the local weather monitoring network and urged the Union Government to expedite the initiative for installation of automatic rain gauges in every gram panchayat and automatic weather stations at the block level. He said that the initiative would provide accurate and real-time weather data at the panchayat and block levels strengthen scientific weather monitoring and enable farmers to access precise, location-specific information for better planning and informed decision-making.

The meeting also covered various other issues related to strengthening science and technology-based interventions in Himachal Pradesh, with particular emphasis on expanding the benefits of scientific research, innovation and modern technology to remote and tribal regions of the state.

Union Minister Dr. Jitender Singh responded positively to the issues and proposals raised by the Chief Minister and assured that all the demands would be considered sympathetically. He also assured to extending all possible support and cooperation to Himachal from the Ministry.

Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and Principal Resident Commissioner Ajay Kumar and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

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Secretary Health Ashish Singhmar informed here today that the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Himachal Pradesh has taken stringent regulatory action against a pharmaceutical unit M/s Welcure Remedies situated at Kala Amb in district Sirmour, following serious and continuing deficiencies observed during joint inspection conducted by State and Central authorities.

The Secretary said that joint compliance verification was conducted by Centre and State during which certain deficiencies were observed to be continuing. He said that the state government was following a zero-tolerance policy towards violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules and added that strict action will continue to be taken against serious non-compliances to ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality drugs and safeguard public health.

The Secretary said that the firm sought time to rectify the observations but keeping into consideration the patients safety firm has been ordered not to commence production till satisfactory compliance and joint verification of the same by the regulators.

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No. 964/2026                          SHIMLA                                  9 September, 2026

State government exploring new avenues of academic research and technological cooperation with Japan: Rajesh Dharmani

A delegation from the Technical Education department, led by Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, visited Tokyo Metropolitan University during its academic visit to Japan. The delegation held discussions with university representatives on academic cooperation, research, knowledge exchange and student exposure programmes.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said that the state government was exploring new opportunities to collaborate with leading universities and institutions in Japan. The aim is to strengthen technical education, promote research and innovation and equip the state's youth with skills suited to the changing global technology landscape.

Students from Himachal Pradesh also attended a seminar at the university, where they learned about Japan's advanced education system, research, innovation and emerging technologies.

Sh. Dharmani said that stronger cooperation with Japan in technical education, research and technology could help Himachal Pradesh improve its innovation capabilities and develop solutions to global challenges. He said international academic exposure would also help students gain a better understanding of global education and technology practices.

During the visit, the Minister also attended the international conference 'Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Food, Health and Materials (ICATS-FHM 2026)' at Hokkaido University in Sapporo as the chief guest.

Addressing the conference, Rajesh Dharmani highlighted the importance of science, technology, innovation, sustainable development and international cooperation. He said India and Japan have strong potential for cooperation in areas such as advanced technology, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, environmental protection, advanced materials, research and skill development.

He said Himachal Pradesh's unique geography and environment make sustainable technology particularly important. The state's agriculture, horticulture, water resources and natural environment require innovative solutions that support development while protecting natural resources.

Technical Education Minister said that India’s young and skilled workforce, combined with Japan’s technological expertise and research capabilities, could create new opportunities in several sectors. He stressed the need for stronger partnerships between universities, researchers, industries, students and governments in both countries.

Principal Secretary (Technical Education) Dr. Abhishek Jain said that Japan is a global leader in technology and innovation. He added that the visit was giving students from Himachal Pradesh valuable exposure to new technologies and the latest developments in technical education and research.

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• Seeks Additional Financial Assistance; Requests Enhancement of Borrowing Limit from 3 to 4 percent

• Seeks exemption of SASCI payments from SNA-SPARSH and doubling of assistance under externally aided projects (EAPs)

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi, today. He apprised the Union Minister of the current financial position of Himachal Pradesh and the financial challenges being faced by the state. He urged the Union Government to provide additional financial assistance, keeping in view the state’s unique geographical and economic condition.

The Chief Minister said that with the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) from the financial year 2026-27, following the recommendations of the 16^th Finance Commission, Himachal Pradesh is facing an annual financial gap of around Rs. 8,000 crore. He said the continuous reduction in the Revenue Deficit Grant over the past few years had further increased pressure on the state’s finances.

He said that Himachal Pradesh, being a hill State, faces difficult geographical conditions, high vulnerability to natural disasters and higher costs of creation and maintenance of infrastructure, making the delivery and operation of public services comparatively more expensive.

Sh. Sukhu said that despite limited resources, the state government has been making sustained efforts to improve its financial position through various financial reforms and revenue-generation measures. He emphasized that, in view of the state’s geographical conditions and the heavy losses caused by natural disasters in recent years, additional support from the Union Government is essential.

The Chief Minister also urged the Union Government to provide exemption to supply and vendor payments under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme from the SNA-SPARSH model .

He further urged the Union Finance Minister to enhance the allocation for Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) for Himachal Pradesh and consider doubling the assistance under this component, keeping in view the state’s difficult geographical conditions, higher infrastructure costs and developmental requirements.

The Chief Minister also requested that the state’s borrowing limit be enhanced from the existing 3 to 4 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He said that the additional fiscal space would enable the state to meet its committed liabilities while mobilizing adequate resources for essential public services and developmental priorities.

He urged the Union Finance Minister to assess Himachal Pradesh’s financial challenges in the context of its unique geographical and economic circumstances and sought generous financial assistance and necessary approvals from the Union Government in the larger interest of the state.

The Chief Minister also apprised the Union Finance Minister of various measures being undertaken by the state government to improve its financial position through its own limited resources. He said the state government was taking several important steps to strengthen the rural economy and enhance the income of rural households.

He said Himachal Pradesh had become the first state in the country to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops produced through natural farming. The initiative aims to ensure remunerative prices for farmer's produce, enhance the per capita income of rural households and strengthen the State’s economy.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured the Chief Minister that the demands raised by the Himachal Pradesh Government would be considered sympathetically, keeping in view the state’s financial requirements and developmental priorities. Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by the state, she assured that the Union Government would extend necessary support to meet its legitimate financial requirements.

She also assured that additional financial assistance under Special Central Assistance for Himachal Pradesh would be considered, which would help the state meet its developmental requirements and strengthen its financial position.

Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and Principal Resident Commissioner Ajay Kumar along with senior officials of the Union Ministry of Finance were present in the meeting.

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·Education Minister receives honour in New Delhi

·Lauds collective efforts of Education Department

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today received the national-level honour on behalf of Himachal Pradesh at a function held in New Delhi on the occasion of International Literacy Day, recognizing the state’s remarkable achievement for achieving fully literate state status under the New India Literacy Programme (ULLAS).

Rohit Thakur said Himachal Pradesh has achieved a literacy rate of 99.55 percent, making it the second-highest literate state in the country after Goa (99.7 percent). The state was declared fully literate on 8 September, 2025, with a literacy rate of 99.3 percent.

He said the achievement reflected the sustained efforts of the state Government, Education Department, teachers, volunteers and people of the state. He said the progress in education has been strengthened by a series of reforms and initiatives undertaken by the present state government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, with emphasis on quality education and improved learning outcomes.

He said that under ULLAS, which was launched nationally in 2022-23 and implemented in Himachal Pradesh from 2023-24, the programme has covered all 12 districts of the State. A total of 94,930 learners have been identified and registered on the ULLAS portal, while 19,232 volunteer teachers have been registered and trained.

The State Government conducted three Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tests (FLNATs). In the first assessment held in September 2024, 14,516 out of 15,351 candidates passed, recording a pass percentage of 94.6 percent. In the second assessment held in March 2025, 28,062 out of 28,534 candidates passed, with a pass percentage of 98.3 percent. In the third assessment conducted in March 2026, 17,318 out of 17,657 candidates passed, recording a pass percentage of 98.1 percent. Overall, 61,542 learners were assessed, of whom 59,896 passed, giving an overall pass percentage of 97.3 percent.

The Minister said Himachal Pradesh has also made significant gains in the quality of school education. As per the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0, the state has moved from 13^th to 6^th position nationally and ranks third among states. National assessments such as NAS/PARAKH have also placed Himachal Pradesh fifth nationally in learning outcomes, a substantial improvement from 21^st position in 2021. He said that these assessments reflect the qualitative improvements being made in the state’s education system.

He said the focus would now be on sustaining literacy and promoting lifelong learning, digital literacy and vocational skills under ULLAS. The state government has set a target of achieving 100 percent literacy during 2026-27.

Rohit Thakur said the state government would continue to pursue progressive reforms and strive for excellence in education, ensuring quality, equitable and future-oriented learning opportunities for every student.

He expressed gratitude to all teachers, volunteers, learners, officials and all those associated, whose collective efforts have contributed to making Himachal Pradesh a leading state in literacy and education.

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