• Urges for one Permanent Member from HP in BBMB
• Emphasizes for releasing pending dues from the BBMB as per Apex court's decision
• Insists to review disaster relief rules
•  Calls for integrated sustainable development plan for northern region in NZCC meet
• Seeks early resolution of the Himachal-Ladakh boundary issues in Sarchu & Shinkula 

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has strongly advocated for Himachal Pradesh legitimate right of 7.19 percent share on Chandigarh, in it's land and assets. This is as per mandate under the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966. He also referred to the Supreme court's judgement of 2011 which held, that Himachal Pradesh is entitled to a share of 7.19 percent in the composite Punjab, on the basis of population ratio transfer under the Punjab re-organization Act and this was the basis for the legitimate share in the power also being generated by BBMB.  

The Chief Minister was addressing the 32^nd  meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held in Faridabad, Haryana, under the chairmanship of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

He also sought the release of pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) as per the Supreme Court’s decision and appointment of a permanent member from Himachal in the BBMB. He also urged for implementation of the policy granting 12 percent free power royalty to the State in centrally operated hydropower projects and enhancement of Himachal’s free royalty to 50 percent in projects where the cost has already been recovered.

He urged that the issue be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Northern Zonal Council to ensure Himachal receives its lawful entitlement.

He requested that hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh that have completed 40 years be handed over to the State. 

The Chief Minister sought full central funding of the power components of the under-construction Kishau and Renuka dam hydel projects and demanded that once completed, 50-50 percent electricity be provided to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 

Sh. Sukhu urged the Centre to review disaster relief rules and to suitably revise pre and post-disaster management norms in view of the increasing vulnerability of hill states. He called for a unified, interdependent and sustainable development framework for the entire northern region in view of the rising frequency of natural disasters caused by climate change and the extensive loss they inflict every year. He said that such a coordinated plan was essential to protect the economy of hill states like Himachal Pradesh and to minimize valuable human loss through collective and focused efforts.

Highlighting the State’s strategic location and tourism potential, Sh. Sukhu stressed the urgent need to expand the air network in Himachal. He informed that the State Government was working on expanding the Kangra Airport having International level facility and requested the Centre to bear the land acquisition cost, provide full funding for the project, and prepare a separate master plan for developing small airports and heliports in the State.

The Chief Minister proposed the establishment of a high altitude research centre, ice hockey stadium, an adventure sports centre and other training facilities in border and high-altitude areas to support local habitation and promote tourism. He also requested the initiation of the National Buddhist Institute project in the tribal area of Spiti. The Chief Minister detailed about the efforts the government has taken tos promote border tourism from Shipki-La along with Indo-Tibet border and reiterated the State’s demand to start the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Shipki-La.

Referring to the State’s fight against narcotics, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was carrying out multi-dimensional action against drug trafficking. Along with strict enforcement of law and order, large-scale efforts were being made for treatment and rehabilitation of drug -affected individuals. He informed that a three-month extensive awareness campaign has been launched to eradicate dangerous substances like Chitta.

The Chief Minister also highlighted strict compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 in the State and reaffirmed Himachal’s zero-tolerance policy towards such crimes.

Sh. Sukhu urged early resolution of the inter-state boundary issues between Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Sarchu and Shinkula regions. He requested that the sub-office of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in Shimla be upgraded to an integrated regional office and sought timely approvals for forest-related cases under the Forest Conservation Act.

He further sought permission under the Act to allow up to one bigha of forest land for housing construction for disaster-affected families, noting that almost all land in the State, other than private holdings, falls under the technical definition of forest land.

The Chief Minister said that despite its difficult financial position, the State has provided a special relief package to disaster-affected families, but was still awaiting nearly Rs.10,000 crore under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, (PDNA) along with the Rs.1,500 crore package announced by the Prime Minister. He requested early release of the entire amount.

Sh. Sukhu also called for the creation of a special task force to compensate Himachal for the revenue deficit of Rs.9,478 crore for the period up to 2023-24, even after the end of GST compensation.

He emphasized that Himachal and the Himalayas were crucial for environmental conservation and for ensuring clean water availability across North India. The State Government is working at multiple levels to make Himachal a 'Green State'.

Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and senior officers from member States and Union Territories of the Northern Zonal Council attended the meeting.

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While presiding over the State-level function of National Press Day here today the Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said that this day not only draws attention to the freedom and responsibilities of the press, but also underscores its role in building a transparent society. The press plays a pivotal role in democracy. Promoting transparency in the press will keep democracy vibrant and alive. He said that the role of the media is to convey important public issues to the government. The media's job is to raise the voices of the underprivileged sections of society.

In the age of Information Technology, the media is facing many challenges. Due to technologies like AI and deep fakes, misinformation spreads rapidly in society and the difference between true and false information has a direct impact. The media plays a vital role in shaping the nation and the society, he said.

Sh. Dharmani stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government has initiated welfare policies and schemes and taken numerous public welfare initiatives. He stated that the media has a responsibility to ensure that the government's decisions in the public interest are disseminated to the public so that they can derive benefits out of the schemes.

Speaking at the event, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan said that the media acts as a bridge between the government and the public. It is the media's responsibility to disseminate the government's public welfare programs to the public and convey public feedback to the government. He stated that publishing fact-based news is essential in journalism emphasizing on the importance of introspection to maintain media credibility.

Earlier, Professor Shashikant Sharma Chairman Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla, presented his views on "Safeguarding Press Credibility Amidst Rising Misinformation." He stated that the competition for breaking news has threatened the credibility of news. Social media and other platforms of information have brought about numerous changes in the field of journalism. In many countries around the world, a campaign has been launched to replace "breaking news" with "slow news," which aims to present accurate information in detail with facts, instead of taking credit for TRP. Nevertheless, we must ensure that accurate information reaches the public through technology. This is the time to promote investigative journalism.

Chief Editor of Hillpost Ravindra Makhaik said that the topic 'Safeguarding Press Credibility for deliberations this season, has zeroed down the very essence of the subject. As policy makers, journalists, readers, viewers, we are all at sea about what to believe and what to reject as fake news. It is difficult to distinguish between information and misinformation. The information wars have become more intense and the weaponization of information at scale has become a threat to society. He said that in this age of social media, fake news spreads rapidly, which directly impacts the society. The advent of social media has transformed the very nature of journalism. Therefore, it is the responsibility of media personnel to maintain journalistic values ??and deliver accurate information to the public after verifying facts.

Consulting Editor of News-18 Network Mukesh Rajput said that raising question is crucial in journalism. Questions asked in the public interest certainly receive answers. He said that journalists should focus on issues of public concern rather than pursuing hidden agendas. Cross questioning is must to maintain the credibility of news and the journalists should desist from asking the same, and certainly he would arrive at a positive conclusion.

During the interactive session, senior journalist P.C. Lohumi said that in today's environment, character building is essential, along with the credibility of the press. Journalists should speak impartially and fearlessly, without discrimination and without any greed. Senior journalist Ashwani Sharma said that in journalism, instead of running one-sided stories, it is essential to present versions of both sides, which increases the credibility of the news and journalists.

Director Information and Public Relations Rajiv Kumar welcomed the guests and honored them on the occasion. He thanked all the speakers and media personnel present for attending the event and congratulated them on National Press Day.

Regional President of All India Radio, Shimla Ritesh Kapoor, representatives of various media organizations and students from the Department of Journalism, Himachal Pradesh University were also present on the occasion.

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                       A delegation of the Larsen & Toubro Group (L&T) called on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Himachal Sadan in New Delhi today and handed over a cheque of rupees five crore as assistance for disaster relief.

               The delegation included Executive Vice President L&T Group A.R. Soni, Deputy General Manager Sachin Rana, and Administration Head Tarun Kumar Dutt. During the meeting, the representatives conveyed the Group’s commitment to support Himachal Pradesh in the aftermath of the recent natural calamity.

                        The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the L&T Group for their generous contribution, noting that such support greatly strengthens the State Government’s ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

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Bank of Baroda has extended significant support to the State’s disaster relief efforts by contributing rupees one crore to the Aapda Rahat Kosh. The cheque was handed over to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today by Sabhayek Singh, General Manager and Zonal Head, Chandigarh Zone, on behalf of the bank.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the generous contribution and said that such noble initiatives inspire others to come forward for humanitarian and philanthropic causes.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Deputy General Manager Bal Kishan, Assistant General Manager Rajesh Kumar Gawa, and other senior officers of the bank were also present on the occasion.

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Warns drug peddlers, Mend ways or face stern action

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched a massive public movement against the Chitta, marking the beginning of a decisive campaign across the state. The Chief Minister led the 'Chitta-Virodh' awareness Walkathon from the Ridge to Chaura Maidan in Shimla.

Thousands of Children, public representatives, officials and prominent citizens besides people from all sections of the society  participated in the walkathon. The Chief Minister administered an oath at the Ridge, urging people to stay away from drugs and addictive substances.

Addressing the gathering at Chaura Maidan, the Chief Minister said that the state would confront the challenge of Chitta collectively.  The public participation  would ensure that drug traffickers find no safe harbour. This initiative would be a historic to wipe drug kingpins and  peddlers, he stated.

 “Chitta-Free Himachal is not merely a governmental initiative but is  people’s movement" he remarked. It is battle against drugs with collaborative efforts of all. Himachal's moment against the drugs must echo not only across the mountains of the state but throughout the nation, he appealed.

The Chief Minister added that schools would not be just temple of education but centres of values and safety.

Sh. Sukhu appealed to women power especially the mothers to steer the movement effectively,  stating that that women can play a pivotal role to awaken the society and be the  backbone of this campaign, making it a success.

He also appealed to religious institutions to raise their voice against drug abuse. If all religious institutions stand  together against Chitta, then no one will be able to stop us from ending this evil,” he said. In a stern warning, the Chief Minister said that those who are involved in Chitta business, destroying the future of children and ruin families will find no place in the land of the gods. “Our police is ready, our government is ready and more importantly our people are ready to route-out Chitta,” he remarked.

He said the goal was to create a Himachal, a State, where Chitta would be the talk of the past finding no mention in the States history henceforth.  The Chief Minister said that Chitta was silently harming our culture, our values, and the future of our children. A strong public movement has now begun to end this menace. He said the State Government was working on three main points to fight drugs.

He stated that the Government was focusing on three main parameters. Firstly, spreading awareness against drugs, secondly, stopping youth from falling into drugs trap and addiction by taking strict action against drug mafias and strengthening law-enforcement agencies and giving them powers to deal with Chitta mafia sternly. Thirdly, ensuring the rehabilitation of children trapped in addiction. He said addicted youths were not criminals  they need treatment, care, and support.

The Chief Minister said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against Chitta. No one involved in this trade will be spared, no matter how influential they may be. Soon after coming to power, the government implemented the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, to send repeated offenders involved in drug trafficking to jail.

New laws have also been passed for treatment, rehabilitation and control of organized drug crimes. These include provisions for the death penalty, life imprisonment, fines up to Rs. 10 lakh, and seizure of property of drug traffickers.

The government will soon form a team of 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers who will act as a link between the police and the public, he said. Police have been instructed to identify drug users and drug mafias at the panchayat level, and this work has been completed.

A Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Board has been formed, and a new chapter on drug awareness will be added to the school curriculum.

After the walkathon, the Chief Minister interacted with students and participants, explaining the harmful effects of Chitta. He also met parents who lost their children to drugs and offered them support.

Ministers, Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Harshvardhan Chauhan and Rajesh Dharmani, Media advisor to CM Naresh Chauhan, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar,  MLA's, Mayor, prominent citizens, religious leaders, senior officers took part in the walkathon.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday evening presided over the closing cultural evening of the International Lavi Fair marked by colourful cultural performances by Indian Idol fame Neha Dixit and other talented artists who captivated the audience with their lively presentations.

The Chief Minister also released the souvenir of the International Lavi Fair.

 Deputy Commissioner Shimla and Chairman of the Lavi fair Committee, Anupam Kashyap honoured the Chief Minister.

Former MLA Kishori Lal, Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Devender Shyam, Chairman of Milkfed Budhi Singh Thakur, Chairman of APMC Shimla Devanand Verma, Chairperson Zila Parishad Chandra Prabha Negi, Chairperson Nagar Parishad Rampur Muskan and other prominent dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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