Himachal Pradesh Government

CM assures full state support for expansion of AIIMS Bilaspur
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured that the state government would extend full cooperation for the expansion and strengthening of AIIMS Bilaspur and make it a premier healthcare institution so that it can serve the people of Himachal Pradesh more effectively.

During his one-day visit to Bilaspur district, the Chief Minister visited AIIMS and held discussions with the faculties regarding healthcare services and other related issues. He said the state government was making every possible effort to strengthen its medical colleges to provide world-class healthcare facilities to the people in all medical colleges by December this year, ensuring that patients do not have to travel outside the State for getting the best medical treatment.

Sh. Sukhu said several reforms were being undertaken in the health sector to ensure better medical services to the people. To attract doctors and retain specialized medical professionals, the government was providing better salaries and perks to them. He said that norms for designating doctors as professors were also being relaxed.

The Chief Minister said diagnostic facilities were being strengthened across the state. Three-Tesla MRI machines had been installed at IGMC Shimla and AIMSS Chamiyana, while 1.5-Tesla MRI machines were being installed at Regional Hospitals in Bilaspur, Kullu, Una and Solan, District Hospital Kinnaur, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital, Nahan, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala and Civil Hospital Palampur.

He said that the state government has also set a target of increasing postgraduate medical seats by 320, which would help in improving the availability of specialized healthcare services in the state.

Sh. Sukhu further said that the state government had initiated work in the areas of gene therapy and phototherapy and was holding discussions with doctors in the United States for further collaboration and expertise.

Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLA Tilak Raj, Executive Director AIIMS Lieutenant General Dr. Daljit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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CM flags off 46 fire fighting vehicles
- Fire fighting infrastructure being upgraded to ensure prompt emergency response: CM
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 46 new quick-response firefighting vehicles for fire units across various districts of the state. Of these, nine vehicles have been allocated to Shimla district, eight to Kangra, five each to Mandi and Solan, three each to Hamirpur, Una, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti, two each to Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Kullu and one to Kinnaur.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government accords the highest priority to the safety and security of the people. He said that strengthening firefighting and emergency response services was essential to ensure a swift response during disasters and other emergencies. The procurement process for another 37 new firefighting vehicles is currently underway.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government was laying special emphasis on the expansion and modernization of firefighting services across the state, for which a budget of Rs. 65.33 crore has been approved. He said that during 2024-25, 22 firefighting vehicles have been procured at a cost of Rs. 9.60 crore and deployed to the concerned fire units.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensuring that modern firefighting and emergency response services reach every part of the state. He said that the Fire Services Department was being equipped with modern technology, advanced equipment and trained human resources. He said that, in the coming years, fire stations, fire posts, vehicles, equipment and manpower would be expanded in accordance with the requirements of the state.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the necessary infrastructure for firefighting services was also being strengthened across the state. He said that the construction of the Fire Post building at Bijhri had been completed at a cost of approximately Rs. 4.85 crore, while Rs. 3.5 crore each was being spent on the construction of Sub-Fire Station buildings at Nadaun and Indora. He added that Rs. three crore had also been sanctioned for the construction of a Sub-Fire Station at Kandaghat.

He further said that eight water tenders costing Rs. 3.85 crore were being procured for newly established and upgraded sub-fire stations and fire posts.

The Chief Minister said that new fire posts and fire stations were also being established to expand the reach of firefighting services across the state. Tahliwal in Una district has been upgraded to a Sub-Fire Station, while a new fire post has been established in the Changar area of Kangra district.

He said that 754 sanctioned posts of various categories of firefighting personnel have been filled to ensure the smooth functioning of the newly established fire units. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts to strengthen the state's overall emergency response capacity. Work was being undertaken simultaneously on modern vehicles, improved equipment, adequate manpower and robust infrastructure to minimise the loss of life and property in the event of disasters or fire incidents.

Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazeem, Director General (Home Guards) Satwant Atwal, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh and senior officers of the Fire Services Department were present on the occasion.

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State government working to strengthen facilities in rural areas: CM

• Inaugurates fire station at Nerwa to strengthen emergency response in Chopal Area

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today here virtually inaugurated the newly established Fire Station at Nerwa in Shimla district. Congratulating the people of the area, the Chief Minister said the facility would not only respond to fire emergencies but would also play an important role in relief and rescue operations during heavy rainfall, landslides and other emergencies.

The Chief Minister said the new fire station would benefit around 55,000 people in the Nerwa area, with two fire-fighting vehicles to be provided shortly. He said the facility would enable timely protection of traditional wooden houses, commercial establishments and valuable apple orchards in the event of fire.

He said that previously, fire-fighting vehicles had to be dispatched to Nerwa from Chopal, Deha, Theog and Shimla whenever fires or other disasters occurred, often taking several hours to reach the affected areas. With the establishment of a fire station locally, prompt response to emergencies would now be ensured, he said.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said 17 new posts had been sanctioned for the smooth functioning of the Nerwa Fire Station. Two new fire-fighting vehicles had also been sanctioned, while the Fire Services Department had allocated a Type-B water tender to the station. He said Rs. 59 lakh had been spent on the purchase of the vehicle.

He said that the establishment of the fire station at Nerwa would further strengthen the emergency response and safety infrastructure in the area.

He said the state government was committed to strengthening the rural economy while ensuring that people living in villages had access to better, urban-like facilities close to their homes. He said the government would provide the necessary funds for establishing a milk plant in the area, and efforts were under way to secure the required Forest Conservation Act (FCA) clearance.

The Chief Minister said Rs. three crore had been released for the Chopal Mini Secretariat, while Rs. two crore each had been released for the Nerwa and Kupvi Mini Secretariats. The initiative aims to provide people with access to a range of government services under one roof, he added.

Congress leader Rajneesh Kimta, who was present at Nerwa on the occasion expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for inaugurating the fire station. He said the fulfilment of this long-standing demand would benefit Nerwa as well as the surrounding areas. He said that numerous development projects had been undertaken in the Chopal Assembly constituency during the tenure of the present government, benefiting local residents.

Rajneesh Kimta invited the Chief Minister to visit the Chopal Assembly constituency.

Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazeem, Director General (Home Guards) Satwant Atwal and senior officers of the Fire Services Department were also present on the occasion.

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Plantation is commitment to secure future of humanity: Governor

Governor Kavinder Gupta today said that tree plantation was not merely an event but a commitment to secure the future of humanity, with every sapling planted today becoming a valuable legacy for generations to come.

Addressing the inaugural function of the 11^th annual plantation campaign organised by Sabhya Re-Foresters at Samlech village in Solan district, the Governor said trees were the foundation of life, providing clean air, conserving water, supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

"Planting a tree is only the beginning. Its real purpose is fulfilled when we nurture and protect it until it becomes a healthy tree," he said, urging people, particularly the youth, to make environmental protection a part of their lifestyle.

The Governor said that Indian civilization has always regarded nature as sacred and that environmental conservation was deeply rooted in the country's cultural and spiritual traditions. He said that Himachal Pradesh, with its forests, Himalayan mountains, rivers and rich biodiversity, plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. "Protecting the Himalayan ecosystem is not only the responsibility of Himachal Pradesh but of the entire nation," he remarked.

Expressing concern over the impact of climate change, including erratic rainfall, cloudbursts, landslides, shrinking glaciers and rising temperatures, Kavinder Gupta called for collective efforts to protect the environment and minimise ecological damage.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, the Governor said that it has transformed environmental protection into a people's movement. He called upon citizens to contribute actively to initiatives relating to afforestation, water conservation, renewable energy, cleanliness, biodiversity protection and reduction of single-use plastic.

He urged schools, colleges, panchayats, urban local bodies, industries and voluntary organisations to make environmental protection an integral part of their social responsibility.

The Governor also honoured students who secured positions in the painting and quiz competitions organised as part of the campaign.

Special Guest Shyam Jaju appreciated the organisation's sustained efforts towards environmental conservation over the past 11 years, particularly its commitment to ensuring the survival and proper care of the saplings planted.

School students also presented a short play and cultural programme highlighting the importance of environmental protection.

Deputy Commissioner Solan Manmohan Sharma, Superintendent of Police S.D. Verma, Zila Parishad Chairperson Sheela Kumari, Mayor MC Solan Sushma Sharma, councillors, Sabhya Re-Foresters President Ajay, General Secretary Ripu Daman and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.

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Chief Minister interacts with HPU scholars and students from Nadaun

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held interaction with a delegation of students from the Nadaun Assembly Constituency and PhD scholars pursuing research in various departments of Himachal Pradesh University at his official residence 'Oak Over' here today.

During the interaction, various issues related to the future of students, education and issues pertaining to the Nadaun region were discussed in detail. They also discussed various matters concerning the development of Nadaun and exchanged views on the role of the youth and research scholars in further accelerating the development of the region.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to make Himachal Pradesh a hub of modern education and skilled force. He stated that government run educational institutions were vital to the state's progress in education and, therefore, the government was laying special emphasis in improving the quality of teaching and establishing modern infrastructure in such institutions. He stated: "Introducing CBSE affiliation system in government schools, loan at one percent interest for students under Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana, filling up of posts of teaching staff and various such decisions will play a defining role in making Himachal a leading state in providing state of the art education facilities."

Sh. Sukhu said that the suggestions and talent of the youth will undoubtedly play an important role in taking Nadaun forward.

The students and research scholars assured the Chief Minister of their fullest cooperation towards the development of Nadaun.

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Governor Kavinder Gupta calls on Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda

Governor Kavinder Gupta today called on Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi.

During the meeting, the Governor and the Union Minister exchanged views on various matters, including those relating to the health sector and the overall welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

Kavinder Gupta appreciated the continued support and guidance being extended by the union government in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving health services in the state.

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