• Calls for united efforts to curb drug abuse

Health, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil today chaired a one-day workshop for stakeholders on combating drug abuse and drug trafficking. On the occasion, Dr. Shandil said that drug abuse was harmful to both physical and mental health.

He said that the state government is taking effective measures against drug abuse and trafficking. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and strict laws have been passed in the Vidhan Sabha to prevent drug abuse. These laws include stringent provisions such as the death penalty, life imprisonment, heavy fines and confiscation of property.

He said that the state government launched the Anti-Chitta Walkathon from the historic Ridge in Shimla on 15^th November, 2025. The initiative was started with the objective of bringing together voices against chitta and turning the fight against it into a mass movement. Walkathons have also been organized in Dharamshala, Hamirpur and Bilaspur with thousands of young people, women and representatives of various social organizations participating, said the Minister.

He added that commendable work was being carried out in the state under the National Drug De-Addiction Campaign. Under the campaign, approximately 18.5 lakh people across all districts were made aware of the dangers of drug abuse last year. This included children studying in 17,304 educational institutions.

He said that Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country where, at the panchayat level, drug traffickers and drug users, particularly those involved with chitta are identified and panchayats are categorized into different groups of based on the number of such cases.

He said that the PIT-NDPS Act was being strictly enforced in the state and property worth more than Rs. 63 crore has so far been seized. During the tenure of the present state government, 5,642 cases have been registered and 8,250 offenders have been arrested.

He said that four de-addiction and rehabilitation centres for men are operating in the districts of Kullu, Una, Hamirpur and Kangra, while the Red Cross Society, Kullu, operates one such centre for women. Recently, the 'Nav-Jeevan' Women's De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre was opened in Mashobra. It is the first women's de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in the state. The centre will not only provide treatment to women but also create opportunities for them to return to a dignified life. The state government was also establishing a 100-bed, state-of-the-art de-addiction centre at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district.

He said that drug abuse severely affects the overall development of people, particularly children. The involvement of children in the vicious cycle of addiction was a matter of serious concern. He said that an addicted person often becomes compelled by the habit and that society should view such a person as someone suffering from an illness rather than stigmatizing them. He emphasized that people suffering from drug addiction need proper treatment and guidance and that the state government was making serious efforts in this direction.

He said that Himachal Pradesh was known as 'Dev Bhoomi' and that its society has traditionally had a strong religious orientation. If young people today are choosing drug use instead of following their traditional spiritual and religious practices, it also raises questions about the values and upbringing being imparted to them by families and society.

He said that bringing children back onto the right path - so that they can become ambassadors of the rich traditions of Dev Bhoomi - is a responsibility that must be shared by the state government, parents and society.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said that parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children lead a healthy lifestyle, develop good habits and become mentally strong. At the same time, parents should nurture their children's talents and instill good values in them so that they can become active participants in social development.

Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment C.P. Verma, Director e-Somsa Sumit Khimta, panchayat representatives, officials of non-governmental organizations, representatives of educational institutions and senior officials of the central and state governments were present in the workshop.

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        Directs seamless apple transportation and timely completion of developmental works

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today reviewed the progress of various road and infrastructure works being undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) in the Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency, particularly in view of the ongoing apple season. He directed senior officers to ensure that all ongoing works are completed within the stipulated timelines to facilitate smooth transportation of apple produce and prevent inconvenience to farmers and growers.

He further directed the concerned officers to take all necessary measures for the smooth movement of apple-laden vehicles and the general public. The Minister directed that damaged roads be repaired on priority, completed roads be opened to traffic without delay, and close coordination be maintained among all concerned departments to ensure efficient traffic management during the apple season. He also stressed timely removal of debris and other obstructions from roads and directed officers to keep critical routes under close monitoring throughout the apple season.

Rohit Thakur said that the State Government has secured administrative approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, for Rs. 203.52 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) 2026-27 for up-gradation of the Chhaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Kumarhatti Road. He said the project forms part of a larger Rs. 239.45 crore CRIF package sanctioned for Himachal Pradesh. He said that the up-gradation of these important road links would significantly strengthen connectivity in the region and provide major relief to horticulturists by facilitating smoother and more efficient transportation of apple produce to markets.

The Minister also reviewed PWD road and other works being implemented with assistance under various programmes, including PMGSY, NABARD and World Bank-supported projects and directed officers to expedite their execution.

Rohit Thakur directed PWD officers to complete works of buildings and other works for which foundation stones have already been laid within six months and expedite all remaining works. He said that around Rs. 550 crore has been spent on development works in Jubbal-Kotkhai, with 30 buildings and 182 roads already dedicated to the people of the area.

Reviewing roads damaged during disasters in previous years, the Minister directed the PWD to expedite their restoration and prepare DPRs for eligible works under mitigation measures and PDNA. He further directed that necessary formalities for completed roads be completed within one week and stressed that restoration of disaster-damaged road infrastructure should be taken up on priority.

The Minister also reviewed the Trauma Centre at Kotkhai and the Indoor Stadium at Savra. As the required codal formalities have been completed, he directed the officers to proceed with the tendering process at the earliest.

He directed PWD officers to closely monitor all ongoing works, maintain effective coordination and ensure timely completion of projects. He reiterated that strengthening road infrastructure, improving connectivity and ensuring smooth transportation of apple produce remain key priorities for the development of Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency.

Senior officers of concerned departments were present in the meeting.  

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• CM and Priyanka Gandhi congratulate students
• State Government comitted to strengthening quality education infrastructure

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today here virtually joined the function organized to mark the commencement of classes in the newly constructed building of Government Senior Secondary School, Deori, in Mandi district. The Government Primary School, Deori was constructed at a cost of around Rs. 70 lakh, while the new building of Government Senior Secondary School, Deori was built at a cost of Rs. 3.62 crore. The earlier school building was completely washed away in heavy rains on August 14, 2023.

Addressing the function, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Congress General Secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi wanted to personally visit Deori on the occasion of the inauguration of the new school building, but could not come due to bad weather. He said that Priyanka Gandhi wanted to meet and interact with the students of the School and would therefore visit the school in September.

Congratulating the students, the Chief Minister said that the local community had made a commendable contribution in the reconstruction of the school building. He expressed gratitude to local residents Chinta Devi, Dasi Devi and Punni Devi for donating more than one bigha of land to the Education Department for the construction of this school.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was reconstructing damaged school buildings with modern facilities. Important changes were being made in the education policy as part of the government’s efforts to bring about a transformation in the system. He said significant steps were being taken to provide quality education to students. As a result of these efforts, Himachal Pradesh, which ranked 21st in the education sector in 2021, has now moved up to 5th position.

On the occasion the students of the school presented cultural programme and the Chief Minister announced Rs. one lakh for the school.

 Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma Bittu read out a message from Congress General Secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi for the school students.

Recalling the devastating situation caused by the disaster in Deori, Mandi district, Priyanka Gandhi said that everyone had faced the calamity with courage. She said that she had witnessed the tragedy with her own eyes on 12 September, 2023. She said that over the past three years, everyone had worked hard for the reconstruction of the damaged school building. She expressed happiness that classes had now commenced in the new school building. Priyanka Gandhi wished the students a bright future and promised to visit the school and meet them.

Priyanka Gandhi said that the entire state had bravely faced the natural disaster of 2023. She said the people of Himachal Pradesh had proved that their courage and determination were as firm and high as the Himalayas. She said that students would learn and understand more about the values of the Constitution, equality, mutual love, unity and the spirit of brotherhood at school. She said that the process of strengthening their skills would begin at school itself. She said the students were the future of the country.

Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, Director of School Education Ashish Kohli and other dignitaries were present in Shimla whereas HPMC Board member Joginder Guleria, Block Congress Committee President Devender Thakur, DC Apoorv Devgan, SP Vinod Kumar senior officers and other dignitaries were present in Mandi.

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• Urges early approval of proposals for Industrial Parks under BHAVYA and strengthening of rail connectivity

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today participated virtually from Shimla in the third meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust, organized in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised about the state government’s efforts to develop world-class industrial infrastructure to accelerate industrial development and attract large-scale investment in Himachal Pradesh.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that under the first phase of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA), the state government had already submitted two proposals to the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust for developing investment-ready industrial parks. These industrial parks are proposed to have modern plug-and-play infrastructure facilities.

The proposed projects include an industrial park spread over 75 acres at Beetan village in Una district at a cost of Rs. 80 crore and an industrial park spread over 150 acres in the Majholi industrial area at Nalagarh in Solan district at a cost of Rs. 154.39 crore.

The Chief Minister said that these projects were of immense importance from the perspective of industrial development, employment generation and regional economic development in the state. He urged the Union Finance Minister to accord early approval to both proposals so that their implementation could commence at the earliest.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen logistics and transportation infrastructure to promote industrial expansion in Himachal Pradesh. He urged the Central Government to improve rail connectivity in the State and also sought extension of the Baddi-Nalagarh railway line as the improved rail connectivity would reduce logistics costs, provide industries with better access to markets, enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing units and further encourage private investment in the State.

The Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to developing a robust industrial ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh through modern infrastructure and investor-friendly policies.

The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme aims to establish a network of industrial corridors that would serve as engines of economic growth, promoting industrialisation and creating employment opportunities across the country. The programme focuses on developing world-class infrastructure, attracting investment and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Chief Ministers of various States and the Members of the Authority participated in the meeting.

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          Calls for job-oriented courses, stronger research, sports and student support

Education Minister Rohit Thakur has called for a major shift towards future-ready, skill-based and technology-driven higher education in the state, with greater focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), new-age and job-oriented courses, emerging technologies, research, sports and student well-being.

 While chairing the 9th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Higher Education Council (HPSHEC) here today, he directed educational institutions to continuously upgrade courses and prepare students not only for today’s employment opportunities but also for the jobs, technologies and challenges of the future.

He directed the Higher Education department and institutions to identify and introduce more new-age, vocational and job-oriented courses and regularly update existing subjects according to changing technology and industry requirements.

He said that AI was no longer a subject of the future, it was already changing the way we work and learn. He said that students must to be prepared for this change and the challenges it had brought to the education system. He directed that AI should not be limited to a few specialized courses and, should be integrated with existing subjects and professional programmes as much as possible. He said that agriculture and horticulture sectors could include AI-based farming and data analysis, tourism could incorporate digital and AI-based services, while areas such as forestry, disaster management, climate studies, healthcare, yoga and wellness, education, law, financial literacy, social work, psychology, nursing, physiotherapy, sports, hospitality, creative arts, design, music, entrepreneurship and management could be strengthened.

The Minister said that courses related to cyber security, data analytics, robotics, renewable energy, drone technology, GIS, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and other emerging fields should also be explored according to the requirements of the state and the employment market. He underscored that greater focus should be given to sports and sports-related education, with institutions encouraged to promote sporting talent, provide better training and facilities, and explore courses in sports science, fitness, nutrition, sports management and other emerging areas.

He said that students should not have to wait for the job market to change before our education system changes. We must anticipate future challenges and prepare our young people in advance, he said.

 Rohit Thakur emphasised research on Himachal and Himalayan issues, including climate change, biodiversity, disaster management, agriculture, horticulture and sustainable development. He called for stronger research infrastructure, more grants, promotion of innovation and start-ups, and better academia-industry linkages through internships, placements and joint research.

Referring to the recent gathering of students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the Education Minister said that the education system must understand the aspirations and concerns of youth and provide them with appropriate institutional platforms for support and dialogue. "We have to be bold in our approach and channelise the energy of our youth in a positive direction. Our institutions must meet the expectations of students and provide them with academic, career and emotional support", he said. He directed that counselling and student-support systems in higher educational institutions must be strengthened, with greater attention to mental well-being, career guidance and the overall development of students.

The Minister also reviewed the progress under NEP-2020 RUSA/PM-USHA and directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective implementation and proper utilization of resources.

He welcomed the suggestions of members of the Council and assured to provide every possible support. He called for regular HPSHEC meetings to review decisions and effective implementation on the ground.

He said that Himachal had always been a frontrunner in education and the state must now take the next step towards a more modern, innovative and technology-driven education system.

 HPSHEC Dr. Sarabjot Singh Behl, Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, Chairman Director Higher Education Suneeta Singh, Members of the Council and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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• Automated labs in medical colleges, PET scan for Nerchowk and Tanda medical colleges on cards

 Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Medical Services Corporation Limited (HPSMCL) here today directed the officers to expedite the procurement and installation of medical equipment and machinery worth around Rs. 300 crore for various health institutions across the State.

He directed that the procurement process should be completed in a time-bound and transparent manner so that the benefits of advanced medical facilities reach the people at the earliest. He also directed to ensure that automated laboratory systems are established in medical colleges by the end of this year to strengthen diagnostic services.

He said that tenders had been floated for several major medical equipment and infrastructure projects, including a Rs. 75 crore track-based integrated total lab automation system for medical colleges, Rs. 50 crore PET scan machines for Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri government medical college, Nerchowk and Dr. Rajendra Prasad government medical college, Tanda and Rs. 2 crore high-end echocardiography machines for AIMSS, Chamiana.

Similarly, tenders have been floated for 13 full digital radiography machines, mammography and other equipment at Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru government medical college, Chamba, a Rs. 3 crore blood component separator unit at Dr. Radhakrishnan government medical college, Hamirpur, Rs. 5 crore 4K laparoscopic surgery sets and electrosurgical stations at IGMC, Shimla, ECG machines worth Rs. 36 lakh, equipment worth Rs. 13 crore for block public health units, machinery and equipment worth Rs. 15 crore under Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, Rs. 100 crore for medicines and drugs for various health institutions, and Rs. 30 crore for medical consumables and surgical items.

The Chief Minister said that under the second phase, tenders worth around Rs. 83 crore would be floated for procurement of additional medical equipment and machinery. These would include Rs. 1.60 crore for procurement and installation of mannequins for establishing a skill lab at Chamba medical college, Rs. 30 crore for Biplane DSA machines at AIMSS, Chamiana and Tanda medical college and Rs. 10 crore for establishing Bone Marrow Transplant and Apheresis Units at AIMSS, Chamiana, Mandi medical college, IGMC Shimla, Tanda medical college and Hamirpur medical college,.

In addition, Rs. 3 crore would be spent on machinery and equipment for robotic surgery and establishment of a gynae unit under the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kamla Nehru Hospital/IGMC, Shimla. Another Rs. 3 crore would be allocated for anaesthetic equipment for robotic surgery at IGMC, Shimla, while Rs. 3 crore would be spent on machinery and equipment for the departments of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery at IGMC, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said that the second phase would also include Rs. 1 crore for procurement of a Cholangi­oscope and Electro-Hydraulic Lithotripsy system for the department of Gastroenterology at AIMSS, Chamiana, Rs. 1.33 crore for machinery and equipment at Chamba medical college, , Rs. 20 crore for 256-slice CT Scan machines for five institutions under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Rs. 6 crore for 4D colour doppler ultrasound machines for eight institutions, and Rs. 3.75 crore for high-end digital X-ray machines for five institutions under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research.

The Chief Minister directed the officers to closely monitor the procurement process and ensure that all procedures were completed without unnecessary delays. He said that strengthening the health sector remains one of the top priorities of the state government. He stressed the need to equip medical colleges, district hospitals, civil hospitals, community health centres and other health institutions with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities, enabling people to access quality healthcare closer to their homes.

He said that the state government was committed to providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to the people of Himachal Pradesh. Modernisation of health infrastructure and availability of advanced medical facilities in government institutions would not only improve the quality of treatment but also reduce the need for patients to travel outside their districts or the State for specialised healthcare.

Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Secretaries Devesh Kumar and M. Sudha Devi, Secretary Ashish Singhmar, Director of Health Services Dr. Gopal Berry and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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