• Seeks support for expansion of Kangra airport and special grant for the project
• Requests to increase frequency of Chandigarh-Shimla-Chandigarh flights

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu at New Delhi today.

The Chief Minister sought support of the Union Minister for expansion of Kangra airport and urged for special central assistance (grant) for the project. He requested for speedy settlement of issues and added that Kangra district has immense tourism potential and state government was executing ambitious projects for attracting large number of tourists.

He also requested for introducing special visual flight rules for reducing minimum visibility criteria from existing 5 km to 2.5 km to ensure operation of flights during reduced visibility conditions.

The Chief Minister also discussed about handing over Kullu and Shimla airports to State Police instead of CISF keeping in view less number of flight operations and passengers which would also reduce the financial burden on the state. He also requested to extend the flight operation hours upto 4pm at Shimla airport for increasing the operation of flights.

He requested to the increase the frequency of number of flights from Chandigarh to Shimla and Shimla to Chandigarh besides sanctioning four proposed heliports at the earliest.

The Unions Minister directed the officers to hold a joint meeting with the concerned officers and prepare DPR for expansion of Kangra airport. He also assured full support to the state.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh was also present in the meeting.

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• Seeks adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state
• Union Minister gives in principle approval of Rs. 200 crore for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister  for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi today. He held detailed discussions about strengthening the road infrastructure in the state and demanded adequate financial support for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state.

The Union Minister approved Rs. 200 crore in principle under CRIF for Chaila-Neripul-Yashwant Nagar-Ochghat road which would facilitate the apple growers immensely in the state.

The Chief Minister apprised him about the progress of Shimla-Mataur National Highway which is providing connectivity to 8 districts with the state capital besides adjoining states. He requested for introduction of maximum number of tunnels for Packages between Shimla to Shalaghat and Bhager to Hamirpur keeping in view the hilly terrain and geological sensitivity of the area. He also requested for expediting the process for preparation of DPR for four laning of Package four which covers end of Hamirpur bypass at Chilbahal to Bhangbar and the new northern Hamirpur bypass.

He also informed that the Chil Bahal to Pucca Broh section has suffered severe damage during monsoons at various locations and has not been strengthened since last five to six years. He said that the stretch was important as it serves as a key access route to major religious destinations. He urged to issue necessary directions for handing over Chil Bahal to Pucca Baroh section of NH 03 to NH wing of HPPWD for carrying out development and maintenance activities. He also requested for according early sanctioning of Rs. 38.37 crore by NHAI.

The Union Minister gave his nod for the amount and assured of full support to the State government.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh was present in the meeting.

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·           Urges for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology or other allocations

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav at New Delhi today.

Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about the discrepancy registered in the actual tree cover of 29.5 percent against the officially recorded 27.99 percent. He said that this arises due to non inclusion of Trees outside Forest (ToF) in consolidated representation of State's forest and tree cover. He said that the state also exercises strict regulatory control over harvesting private lands under different status for which state doesn't receive any credit from the Centre Government.

He emphasized upon including this 1.5 percent component in the forest cover in order to recognize the State's true ecological and forestry contribution. He added that the Trees outside Forest contributes to conservation of green cover while preventing ecological degradation of fragile Himalayas.

He urged for recognizing 29.5 percent forest and tree cover for all calculations relating to forest and ecology under the Finance Commission or other allocations from the Centre Government. He demanded that 1.5 percent trees outside Forest component may be acknowledged as a legitimate and policy relevant contribution to ecosystem services, conservation effort and environmental governance.

He said that undervaluing the Trees outside Forest component undervalues the true contribution of Himachal Pradesh to the national eco system services and creates a bias against the state that protects trees.

Chief Minister also detailed about various initiatives of the state Government to expand the forest and tree cover on non forest and private land.

The Union Minister assured of all possible support to the State.

Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh accompanied the Chief Minister.

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Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla unfurled the National Flag at the State-level celebration of the 77^th Republic Day held at the historic Ridge, Shimla, today. After unfurling the Tricolour, the Governor inspected the parade led by Additional Superintendent of Police, Shimla, Mehar Panwar, and took the salute from an impressive march past commanded by Lt. Shashwat Tiwari of 1 J&K Rifles. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Lady Governor Janaki Shukla were also present on the occasion.

The march past featured contingents from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, Punjab Police, Himachal Pradesh Police, Home Guards, Fire Services, Himachal Pradesh Postal Services, Disaster Management, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Bharat Scouts and Guides and other units, reflecting discipline, unity and national pride.

On the occasion, the Governor honoured Ritik Chauhan of Gagana village under Chambi Post Office, Chopal tehsil of Shimla district, with the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak for exemplary courage in saving lives.

Colourful tableaux depicting various developmental initiatives and achievements of different government departments were a major attraction of the celebrations.

Cultural performances added vibrancy to the programme. Artists from the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, presented folk dances from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttarakhand. The Eklavya Kala Manch of Himachal Pradesh Police, 1^st IRBN Bangarh, Una, staged a powerful street play on the theme of 'Drug-Free Himachal' to spread awareness about the ill effects of consumption and illegal smuggling of narcotics substance, especially Chitta. Artists from Hamirpur and Shimla enthralled the audience with their captivating performances.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, MLAs Kuldeep Rathore and Mohan Lal Brakta, Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Surinder Chauhan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, senior civil, police and military officers, and people from across the state were also present at the celebrations.

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Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasised the need for enhanced public awareness regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that, during this exercise, the Election Department must ensure that citizens in Himachal Pradesh do not face any inconvenience.

The Governor was addressing the State-level function organised at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, on the occasion of the 16^th National Voters' Day.

Extending greetings to the people of the state on National Voters' Day and Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day, he said that the Election Commission has chosen the theme "My India, My Vote"  and "Indian Citizen at the Heart of Indian Democracy" for this year. He called upon citizens to celebrate universal adult franchise beyond distinctions of religion, caste or community, enabling people's participation in governance. He said that as a constitutional institution, the Election Commission of India has earned global recognition for upholding democratic values, transparency and fairness in the conduct of elections.

The Governor appreciated the efforts of the Election Department for successfully running voter enrolment drives in government and private educational institutions during 2025, particularly encouraging youth participation. He also lauded initiatives that led to increased women voter registration in Sirmaur's Shillai area and Chamba's Bharmour tribal region. Commending the role of the Chief Electoral Officer and her team, he said it was a matter of pride that Himachal Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer Nandita Gupta served as an International Observer during national elections in Moldova in September 2025, bringing laurels to the State and the country.

Calling upon all voters to actively participate in the democratic process, the Governor urged citizens to take a pledge for electoral participation to strengthen India's democracy. On the occasion, he honoured district electoral officers, state icons, booth level officers and others for outstanding contributions. He also released a coffee table book prepared by the Election Department, administered the Voters' Day pledge and distributed Elector Photo Identity Cards to newly registered voters.

Earlier, Nandita Gupta welcomed the Governor and highlighted the objectives of National Voters' Day, noting significant improvements in women and youth voter enrolment after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She shared that through continuous updating of voter lists 91,949 voters were added to the rolls since January 6, 2025, details of 1,49,328 voters were corrected and names of 64,643 ineligible voters were removed due to death, migration or other reasons.

Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer, Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, proposed the vote of thanks.

A message from Chief Election Commissioner of India Gyanesh Kumar was also played on the occasion.

An awareness play on SIR and cultural performances were presented. The Governor earlier visited an exhibition organised by the Election Department. Additional Chief Electoral Officers Dr. Murari Lal and Neeraj Chandla, along with other senior officers and dignitaries, were present at the programme.

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• Announces to clear arrears of pensioners and family pensioners aged 70 years and above
• Announces SDM office at Pragpur and PHC at Nalsuha 
• Preparation of ‘Samriddh Himachal Vision’ document in final stage: CM
• Announces to set-up Agriculture and Horticulture Commission

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conveyed his Statehood Day wishes to the people of Himachal Pradesh during the 56th celebration held at Pragpur in Kangra district today.  This was the first ever function held at Pragpur. The Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from the parade contingents. The parade was led by Parade Commander IPS officer Taruna and participating contingents included IRBN Jangalberi, IRBN Sakoh, IRBN Pandoh, Police District Nurpur, Home Guards Women Battalion Dharamshala, Home Guards Men and Women Battalion Dharamshala, SDRF Pandoh, Dharamshala Traffic Police, Van Mitras, NCC Government College Dhalyara, Scouts and Guides, and other units.

Congratulating the people of the State on the occasion, he recalled the immense contributions of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, in securing statehood for the State.

The Chief Minister announced the constitution of an Agriculture and Horticulture Commission in the State to ensure the participation of farmers and orchardists, and to safeguard their rights. He said that the State Government would present a Bill to form this Commission in the upcoming Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly.

He announced the opening of SDM office at Pragpur and PHC at Nalsuha in Jaswan assembly constituency.

He said that when the present State Government assumed office, the previous government had left liabilities exceeding Rs. 10,000 crore on account of salary and pension arrears of employees. At present, the total outstanding arrears related to salaries, pensions, and other dues amount to Rs 8,555 crore.

Despite the State’s strained financial condition, he announced that the complete payment of arrears of pensioners and family pensioners aged 70 years and above would be made in the month of January this year. He said that an amount of Rs. 90 crore would be spent for this purpose. He further stated that Class-IV employees, who retired between 1^st January, 2016 and 31^st December, 2021 have accrued arrears of gratuity and leave encashment due to the revision of pension and related benefits and announced that an additional 50 percent of the gratuity arrears and 70 percent of the leave encashment arrears would be paid to them in the month of January and an expenditure of Rs. 96 crore would be incurred.

Sh. Sukhu said that the occasion provided an opportunity to assess the achievements of the past 55 years and to reflect on the direction in which the State should progress in the coming years. With this sense of responsibility and vision, the State Government has initiated the preparation of a document titled 'Samriddh Himachal Vision', which is now in its final stage.

He further stated that the Vision Document has been prepared through extensive consultations with people across the State, experts, the administration and institutions. While drafting the document, due consideration has been given to Himachal Pradesh’s environment, aspirations of its hard working people and its strong social traditions. The objective is to promote development that is environmentally sustainable, disaster-resilient and inclusive of all sections of society, he added.

He assured the people that this Vision would serve as a shared roadmap, maintaining a balance between development and responsibility, progress and environmental conservation, and aspirations and reality, so that Himachal Pradesh could continue on a path of steady progress while preserving its unique identity.

Sh. Sukhu said that the previous BJP government had got Revenue Deficit Grants amounting to Rs. 46,862 crore, whereas the present Government has received only Rs. 18,903 crore so far. He further said that if total Central transfers are taken into account, these stood at Rs. 1,16,000 crore during the BJP government, while the current government has received only Rs. 70,191 crore to date. He said: "Similarly, under GST Compensation, Rs. 12,861 crore was provided during the BJP government, whereas this compensation has been discontinued during the tenure of the present government."

The Chief Minister said that during the tenure of the 15^th Finance Commission, the previous government was allowed additional borrowing during the COVID period in the years 2020-21 and 2021-22. Whereas, due to the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, the present government’s additional borrowing of around Rs 1,700 crore has been stopped. Despite this, he said, the government has worked to improve the financial situation by augmenting its own resources and cutting non-essential expenditure.

He said that the State’s own revenue, which stood at Rs. 55,000 crore during the previous government’s five year tenure, has reached Rs. 49,500 crore within just three years of the present State government. He emphasized that "today, we need to stand on our own feet, and for this, tough decisions are being taken."

The Chief Minister said that the present State Government has launched a major campaign for 'Vyavastha Parivartan' in the State. He said that the government would not allow the looting of resources, whereas the previous government compromised with the interests of the State. He said that the State Government has won the legal battles related to the Wild Flower Hall hotel and the Karcham-Wangtoo hydropower project. Meanwhile, the government is resolutely fighting to recover the BBMB arrears from the concerned States, and to take back the Baira Siul hydropower project in Chamba district and the Shanan project in Mandi district from Punjab Government.

He said that Himachal Pradesh provides air, water, electricity and ecological balance to the entire northern India. The State possesses forest wealth worth several lakh crore rupees. "If we wanted, we could sell our forests in a single year to repay all our debts, but we will never take such an irresponsible step," he said, adding: "The Government is committed to protect to state's resources and enrich the State."  He said that Himachal Pradesh functions as the lungs of Northern India. If Punjab and Haryana are known as the food bowls of the country, it is because of rivers of Himachal play a pivotal role in irrigating the land of these States.

The Chief Minister said that the present government has fulfilled seven out of its ten guarantees made during the assembly elections. He said that the process of providing Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women, under Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Sammaan Nidhi Yojana, has been initiated in a phased manner and that this guarantee would be implemented across the entire State within the next two years. This, he said, will enhance women's participation in the rural economy. He added that the State government was making sustained efforts to strengthen the rural economy. The rural economy, he said, "will become strong only when youth get dignified self-employment opportunities close to their villages".

"I am son of a farmer and have closely seen and experienced the struggles of farmers, orchardists and livestock rearers. Our government's priority is to ensure that money reaches directly into the hands of farmers," he added.

The Chief Minister said that the issue of import duty on apples from New Zealand has also been raised with the Union Government. He asserted that the State government would strongly raise the concerns of apple growers on every platform. He said that there was widespread resentment among farmers and orchardists over the Centre’s anti-farmer policies. The quality of pesticides, fertilizers and sprays available in the country is substandard and these inputs are being sold to them at high prices. As a result, orchards are witnessing unseasonal leaf fall and plants are suffering from several diseases. Farmers and orchardists are bearing the direct consequences of this situation, Sh. Sukhu said.

He said that the Union Government has recently given another severe blow by dismantling the MGNREGA scheme. He said the Centre has destroyed the very soul of MGNREGA. “It was a demand-driven law, under which any unemployed daily-wage worker or poor labourer could apply to the Panchayat seeking employment. This provision has now been removed under the new law." In contrast, the Himachal Pradesh government has implemented a historic increase in MGNREGA wages, raising the daily wage from Rs. 247 to Rs. 320, he said. Moreover, MGNREGA works have been stopped during peak agricultural seasons and during times of disaster. He further stated that the cost of demand-based works was now being shifted on to the State government. This would reduce employment opportunities at the grassroots level and will not serve the interests of the poor.

Sh. Sukhu said that the State government has relaxed the BPL selection criteria by removing the condition of owning a pucca house. Moreover, for the first time, the Government was going to provide pucca houses to 27,717 families who have been part of IRDP for the last 20 years. These families had been compelled to live in kutcha houses for many years.

He said that while battling a severe financial crisis, the State had faced two devastating natural disasters in 2023 and 2025. The present State Government repeatedly raised the issue of compensation for these losses with the Union Government, but adequate assistance was not provided by the Central Government. Meanwhile, the opposition failed to discharge its responsibility. Instead of becoming the voice of the people, the opposition conspired to topple the democratically elected government through money power, he added.

Despite limited resources, he said, the government stood strong with the disaster-affected people with empathy and sensitivity, sharing their pain and standing by them day and night.  He said that the State Government  had announced special relief packages and enhanced compensation amounts manifold, which are the highest in the country. Families whose houses were completely destroyed in the disasters are being provided Rs. 8 lakh for constructing new houses, along with enhanced financial assistance for other losses, Sh. Sukhu stated.

The Chief Minister said that resolving public grievances remains a top priority of the government. To ensure time-bound disposal of long-pending revenue cases, special revenue courts are being organized regularly. So far, 5,10,257 revenue cases have been disposed of, which is a record in itself, he added.

He said that focus was also being given to reforms in the health and education sectors. Healthcare is the government's one of the highest priority, and a decision has been taken to spend Rs. 3,000 crore to replace machinery and equipment that are 15 to 20 years old. The introduction of robotic surgery for the first time in the State, aimed at providing world-class healthcare facilities, is a revolutionary step. He said that steps have been taken to improve the quality of education and to introduce necessary changes in curriculum and teaching systems in line with contemporary requirements. According to the National Survey, Himachal Pradesh has recently secured the 5^th position in providing quality education to the students in the country, whereas it stood at 21^st position in 2021. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh has achieved first place in terms of students' reading and learning levels.

The Chief Minister also released the web series 'The White Truth', produced by the Himachal Pradesh Gyan Vigyan Samiti. The web series aims to create awareness among youth about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

A colourful cultural programme was also presented by various cultural troupes.

The Chief Minister also honoured the participants of the Parade and cultural troupes on the occasion.

On the occasion, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs Sanjay Ratan, Ashish Butail, Kamlesh Thakur, Rakesh Kalia, Ranjit Singh, Malender Rajan, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Chairman H.P. Board of School Education Dharamsala Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Vice Chairman HRTC Ajay Verma,  Chairman of HP Buildings and Other Constructions Workers Welfare Board Nardev Singh Kanwar, Chairman H.P. Wool Federation Manoj Thakur, Chairman Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural  Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania,  Chairman APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra District Congress President  Anurag Sharma,  Senior Congress leaders Kuldeep Pathania, Surender Kaku, Surender Mankotia,  Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, DGP Ashok Tiwari, along with other distinguished personalities and senior officers, were present.

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