Himachal Pradesh Government

WCD to hold two-day summit in new Delhi

· Health Minister attends virtual meeting chaired by Union Minister for Women and Child Development

Health, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil here today participated in a virtual meeting chaired by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi related to preparations for a two-day departmental summit involving state and UT ministers and secretaries of the Women and Child Development (WCD) department scheduled for 8th and 9th October, 2026 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the valedictory session of the summit on 9th October.

Speaking about the upcoming summit, Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that the summit would focus on four themes, namely Reimagining Anganwadi Centres for better nutrition and early education, strengthening the child protection system, women safety-effective implementation of institutional and legislative frameworks and women empowerment enhancing effectiveness and outcomes of key interventions. He said that issues pertaining to welfare and genuine demands would be raised during the summit. The WCD department would prepare a detailed presentation on the event and provide suggestions that would not only benefit Himachal Pradesh but also be beneficial to other states and union territories.

Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil said that it was a great platform for all the states and union territories to come together and seek ways to ensure that the benefits of various centrally sponsored schemes reaches the eligible sections of the society with effective implementations of the states.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur, Ministers from various states, WCD department secretaries and other senior officers were present at the meeting.

-0-
Read More
Renowned wrestler ‘The Great Khali’ pays courtesy visit to Governor

Renowned wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer Dalip Singh Rana, popularly known as ‘The Great Khali’, today called on Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan, Shimla, during a courtesy visit.

The Governor welcomed Dalip Singh Rana and appreciated his remarkable journey from Himachal Pradesh to the international wrestling arena. He said that Shri Rana’s achievements have brought recognition to Himachal Pradesh and India at the global level and have inspired generations of young people to pursue their dreams with determination, discipline and hard work.

During the interaction, the Governor and Dalip Singh Rana discussed various issues related to sports, youth empowerment and promotion of sporting talent in Himachal Pradesh.

Dalip Singh Rana shared his experiences from his journey in professional wrestling and discussed his efforts towards promoting sports and encouraging the younger generation.

The Governor emphasised the need to provide young people with greater opportunities, proper guidance and suitable platforms to showcase their abilities in different sporting disciplines.

The Governor said that Himachal Pradesh has immense potential in sports, particularly given the enthusiasm and talent among its youth. He stressed the importance of encouraging young sportspersons from the State to participate at national and international levels.

The Governor congratulated Dalip Singh Rana on his achievements and conveyed his best wishes for his continued endeavours in the field of sports and youth development.

-0-

Read More
CM inaugurates Rs. 23 crore MRI Machine at Nerchowk Medical College

• Lays foundation stone for Rs. 51 crore PET Scan Block

• Strengthening health sector a priority of state government: CM

• CM interacts with faculty and students of Nerchowk Medical College, ICU Capacity to be increased to 30 beds

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated an MRI machine worth Rs. 23 crore and a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre equipped with LINAC and CT Simulator machines, costing Rs. 2.29 crore, at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, Nerchowk, in Mandi district. He also laid the foundation stone for a PET Scan Machine Block at the medical college, with an estimated cost of Rs. 51 crore.

Later, while interacting with faculty members and students of the medical college the Chief Minister said that strengthening the health sector was among the priorities of the state government. The government was working to ensure that all medical colleges in the state were equipped with state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, enabling people to access specialized medical services closer to home without having to travel long distances for treatment.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that state-of-the-art automated laboratories were being established in all medical colleges across the state. These laboratories would enable multiple tests to be conducted using a single sample, eliminating the need for patients to repeatedly provide samples and making the diagnostic process more convenient and efficient. He said that, alongside promoting the use of modern technology in healthcare, the government was continuously strengthening the infrastructure and medical services at medical colleges. He said that the state government had installed a PET Scan machine at IGMC Shimla. He said that the current waiting period for a PET Scan at IGMC was around one month, whereas patients had to wait for approximately four months for the procedure at AIIMS Delhi.

The Chief Minister said that the government was considering sending MBBS students and faculty members from the state's medical colleges on overseas exposure visits to familiarize them with modern healthcare practices and advanced medical procedures being adopted internationally. He said that necessary steps in this direction would be taken soon, providing students and doctors with an opportunity to understand international healthcare systems and technologies. He said the government was also working to strengthen at least two or three major medical departments in each medical college on a priority basis. The objective was to enhance the capacity for specialized healthcare services in the state and ensure that an increasing number of treatment facilities were available to patients within Himachal Pradesh.

Referring to the healthcare services at Nerchowk Medical College, the Chief Minister said that 123 nurses had already been deployed at the institution, while additional nurses would be recruited as required. He also announced plans to increase the capacity of the medical college's Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He said that 25 to 30 additional ICU beds would be established, increasing the institution's capacity to treat critically ill patients.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government would increase the number of postgraduate (PG) seats in the state by 320 this year. He said that Senior Residency (SR) programmes had been started at Nerchowk Medical College, along with Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. This would help increase the availability of specialist doctors in the state and create new opportunities in the field of medical education.

He said that ensuring adequate technical and paramedical staff at healthcare institutions was also a priority of the government. In this direction, the state government had sanctioned 800 posts for technical and paramedical staff. He said that the government was continuously working to provide the necessary human resources and modern technology to improve healthcare services.

The Chief Minister said that the state government's objective was not merely to expand healthcare institutions, but to equip them with modern technology, adequate specialist doctors, trained staff and improved diagnostic facilities, so that the people of Himachal Pradesh could access quality healthcare services within the state itself.

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria, former ministers Rangila Ram Rao and Prakash Chaudhary, former CPS Sohan Singh Thakur, District Congress President Champa Thakur, Congress leaders Chet Ram Thakur, Shashi Sharma, Lal Singh Kaushal, Jagdish Reddy, Naresh Chauhan, Pawan Thakur and Jeevan Thakur, Health Secretary Ashish Singhmar, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

-0-
Read More
State Govt. strengthens direct public transport connectivity to AIIMS Bilaspur

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today here said that the state government has taken a significant initiative to provide convenient, affordable and timely transportation facilities to patients and their attendants travelling to AIIMS Bilaspur. As part of this initiative, the government has started direct bus services to AIIMS Bilaspur, with the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) currently operating 10 electric bus services connecting various parts of the state directly to AIIMS Bilaspur. The services are benefiting around 1,000 patients and their attendants every day.

He said that under the initiative these direct bus services have been started with the objective of ensuring that patients could reach AIIMS Bilaspur conveniently and on time for treatment. The services have eliminated the need for patients and their attendants to change buses en route, enabling them to reach the hospital within the scheduled time.

At present, electric bus services are being operated from Chintpurni, Una, Haroli, Solan, Mandi and Jahu to AIIMS Bilaspur. In addition, direct bus services to AIIMS are available from Karloti, Bandla, Shah Talai, Ghumarwin and Bilaspur in Bilaspur district. Four daily trips are being operated from Ghumarwin to AIIMS, while eight trips are being operated from Bilaspur. More areas of the state would be connected directly to AIIMS Bilaspur through HRTC bus services in the coming days.

He said that two new electric bus services would soon be started to AIIMS Bilaspur one from Nalagarh via Ramshehar and another from Baddi via Bagheri. A new bus service would also be started from the Nachan Assembly constituency. He said that other areas would be connected to the service as required in the future.

Mukesh Agnihotri said that the state government’s initiative is aimed at making healthcare more accessible by strengthening direct public transport connectivity to AIIMS Bilaspur and ensuring that patients and their attendants can travel safely, comfortably and economically.

-0-

Read More
CM dedicates 21 development projects worth Rs. 136.25 crore in Mandi district

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 21 development projects worth Rs. 136.25 crore of Balh, Nachan, Mandi Sadar and Karsog assembly constituencies at Kansa ground in Balh area of Mandi district today during his one day visit to the district.

The Chief Minister inaugurated Rs. 10.73 crore metalling and tarring on Chandyal-Pipli-Kuthwari-Kandi-Tarapur-Kharsi-Mansa Mata Mandir Dola Tikkar road, Rs. 8.28 crore Sakroha Naina Mata Mandir Pipli Nadaul Kausala Malwana road, Rs. 5.11 crore Lakhvan-Dahanu-Bhanshot-Rathol-Andreta Meramsit road, Rs. 3.08 crore Tanda-Kohla-Tikkari-Kawalkot Sidhkothi (via Baba Balak Nath Mandir) Thapla Gobhol Galoo road, Rs.3.51 crore Doyda Pul Chhajwan Khabu Panchayat Ghar Dusra Khabu to Darviyas road, Rs. 2.08 crore PWD Division Office building at Nerchowk, Rs. 25.89 crore upgradation of Nercwhok Ratti Kalkhar road, Rs. 32 lakh Ayurvedic Health Centre building at Behna and Rs. 23 lakh Veterinary Dispensary building at Koth.

He also inaugurated Rs. 43.91 crore LWSS to habitations under IPH Sub Division Rewalsar in tehsil Balh, Rs. 17.01 crore LWSS Bahli-Mahadev & Neri Kangar, Panyas under PIU Division Mandi, Rs. 4.42 crore Government Primary School Bal (U-Block Mandi), Rs. 38 lakh Panchayat Ghar, Dahnu, Rs.38 lakh Panchayat Ghar, Malthehar, Rs. 25 lakh Mandav Gramin Haat at Pandoh (Seog), Rs. 12 lakh Patwarkhana PC Rajwadi, Tehsil Balh and Rs. 12 lakh Patwarkhana PC Karsog, tehsil Karsog.

Sh. Sukhu laid foundation stones of 50 lakh Ayurvedic Health Centre building at Halyatar, Rs. 1.41 crore Type-I and Type-II staff quarters at Kangni, Rs. 1.15 crore Panchayat Samudayik Kendra, Ratti, Development Block Balh and 7.38 crore providing FPQ on Sekad Khad and Behna Nallah in tehsil Balh.

The Chief Minister said that the development projects would significantly strengthen the basic infrastructure and public services in the areas. He said that the road connectivity will help in ensuring smoother movement of vehicles and strengthen the overall road network in the district. He said that the water supply schemes would ensure improved access to safe and reliable drinking water for residents of the concerned villages.

-0-
Read More
CM announces removal of mandatory one-day MGNREGA work condition under ‘Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, income limit increased from Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 75 thousand

• Announces Jal Shakti Department and Electricity Board divisions and DSP office at Nerchowk

• Double-engine government pushed Himachal into a debt trap: CM

• If BJP government had been in power, Himachal’s interests in Kishau project would have been ignored like in Uttarakhand: CM

• Targets Jai Ram Thakur for ignoring the entire Mandi district in development, except Saraj

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today addressed a large public meeting at Kansa Chowk in the Balh Assembly constituency of Mandi district and launched a scathing attack on the previous BJP government. He said that during the tenure of the previous BJP government, the double-engine government pushed Himachal into a debt trap and misused the state’s resources. He said that during the tenure of the previous BJP government, the state received around Rs. 60,000 crore through GST compensation and Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), but this money was not used properly.

The Chief Minister said that around 45 months ago, a Congress-led government came to power in the state, giving a person from an ordinary family the opportunity to become Chief Minister. He said that, keeping in mind the problems and difficulties faced by ordinary people, the Cabinet took the decision to restore the Old Pension Scheme for government employees in its very first meeting. He said that after this decision, the Central Government stopped financial assistance of around Rs 1,600 crore to Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress government had firmly faced both natural disasters and political challenges. During the disaster, the state government rebuilt around 23,000 damaged houses using its own resources. He said that the political challenge was also faced firmly with the support of the people of the state and the blessings of the deities and the number of Congress MLAs again reached 40.

He said that the Congress government was firmly committed to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. The government was working to curb corruption and ensure that people receive their rights. Along with providing financial benefits to employees and pensioners, the government is also implementing schemes for the welfare of orphaned children and widows.

Referring to the Kishau Multipurpose Project, the Chief Minister said that the state government had strongly protected Himachal Pradesh’s interests. He said that if there had been a BJP government in the state, people of Himachal Pradesh could have faced an additional burden of around Rs. 3,000 crore, as in Uttarakhand. He said that by strongly representing the state’s interests, around Rs. 3,000 crore in expenditure had been saved for Himachal Pradesh. He added that the project could generate annual revenue of around Rs. 1,200 crore to Rs. 1,500 crore for the state in the future.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that during the previous BJP government, milk was being purchased at Rs. 32 per litre, while the present government had increased the procurement price to Rs. 61 per litre for cow’s milk and Rs. 71 per litre for buffalo milk. He said that the government would increase the milk procurement price further in the coming time.

Announcing changes in the eligibility criteria for ‘ Mukhya Mantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, the Chief Minister said that the mandatory requirement of working for one day under MGNREGA to receive benefits under the scheme would be removed. The family income limit would be increased from Rs. 50 to Rs. 75 thousand. He said that all eligible women above the age of 21 would be provided a monthly pension of Rs. 1,500.

The Chief Minister said that recruitment to 800 posts of police constables would be conducted soon in the state. He said that an MRI machine was being installed at Nerchowk Medical College at a cost of Rs. 23 crore. He said that the government was working with commitment to improve healthcare services in the state. He said that during the previous BJP government, hospitals in the state had around 35 percent of the required staff, which had been increased to around 60 percent by the present government. The target was to increase it to 80 percent in the coming time.

Chief Minister said that in the last Assembly election, Jai Ram Thakur and BJP government had raised the issue of regionalism in Mandi and won nine out of 10 Assembly seats of the district. However during the BJP government’s tenure, the entire Mandi district, except the Seraj Assembly constituency was neglected in terms of development.

Referring to the Balh Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister said that if Congress candidate Prakash Chaudhary had won the election, he would have been a minister in the state government today.

He said that the local BJP MLA did not effectively raise the issues of people from his constituency in the Assembly constituency. He also accused the BJP of factionalism and said that there was discontent within the BJP over leaders who had left the Congress and joined the party.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu indicated that a pending instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees would be released soon. He said that employees would be able to celebrate Diwali well this year and that the state’s financial situation was improving.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also made several development announcements for the Balh Assembly constituency. He announced the opening of divisions of the Jal Shakti Department and the Electricity Board, as well as a DSP office, at Nerchowk. He also announced Rs. 3 crore for irrigation and drinking water schemes in the Balh area.

He announced Rs. 1 crore for a dumping site, Rs. 50 lakh for the repair of Kansa Stadium and Rs. 3 crore for the repair and maintenance of roads under the Public Works Department. He also announced Rs. 60 lakh for metalling and paving the Ridoo, Nalu and Saryad roads. He announced Rs 35,000 each for the Mahila Mandals present at the programme.

The Chief Minister announced that a CBSE school would be opened at Gurkota from the next academic session.

Earlier, former minister Prakash Chaudhary welcomed Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to the Balh Assembly constituency and said that the state government had launched several schemes in the interests of women, youth and government employees. He said that sending orphaned children abroad for exposure visits reflected the Chief Minister’s sensitive approach and his commitment to ensuring a better future for these children.

He said that the Central Government was depriving Himachal Pradesh of its rightful entitlements. Despite this the present state government was running the state with financial discipline. He said that the BJP was trying to win elections by making false promises.

APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria also welcomed the Chief Minister on his arrival in the Balh Assembly constituency.

MLA Anil Sharma, Inder Singh Gandhi and Sunder Singh Thakur, former minister Rangila Ram Rao, former CPS Sohan Singh Thakur, Congress leaders Chet Ram Thakur, Shashi Sharma, Lal Singh Kaushal, Jagdish Reddy, District Congress President Champa Thakur, Naresh Chauhan, Pawan Thakur, Jeevan Thakur, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

-0-
Read More