Himachal Pradesh Government

CM participates in meeting of Apex Monitoring Authority of National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust
- 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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State Govt. to make higher education future-ready with AI integrated, new-age courses and skills: Education Minister
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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CM directs to expedite procurement of advanced medical equipment worth Rs. 300 crore
- 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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Government aims to make HRTC self-reliant in next five years: CM
 Virtually launches 25 new electric bus services for Mandi district In a significant initiative towards promoting clean, green and environment-friendly public transport in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today virtually flagged off 25 new type-I electric bus services of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) for Mandi district from Paddal ground of Mandi town. The Chief Minister said that the state government has procured 297 type-I electric buses to expand HRTC’s electric bus fleet. These new electric buses are currently operating in Shimla, Nahan, Nalagarh, Una, Haroli, Bilaspur, Dehra, Hamirpur, Palampur, Dharamshala and Nagrota. In addition, the required charging infrastructure has been developed in Kullu, Mandi and Sundernagar and the operation of new electric bus services in these areas is also commencing today. The Chief Minister said that the prescribed driving range of type-I electric buses is approximately 180 kilometers at 80 per cent State of Charge (SoC). He said that the performance of these buses during operations has been highly encouraging. On the Shimla-Chandigarh route, an electric bus is successfully covering a distance of around 270 kilometers on a single charge, which demonstrates the suitability of electric buses for long-distance inter-city routes across the challenging hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh. Sh. Sukhu said that the operation of electric buses is also significantly reducing HRTC’s operational costs. Compared to conventional diesel buses, electric buses are resulting in savings of approximately Rs. 12-13 per kilometre in energy costs. This will not only reduce the Corporation’s fuel and operational expenditure but also improve the overall efficiency of public transport services. The Chief Minister said that the expansion of the electric bus fleet is an important step towards reducing carbon emissions, lowering dependence on fossil fuels and promoting clean and green public transportation in the State. He said that with continued government support and expansion of charging infrastructure, the HRTC is steadily moving towards strengthening a modern, reliable, energy-efficient and environment-friendly public transport system in the State. He said that the state government provides buses to HRTC and also extends an annual grant-in-aid of Rs. 840 crore to the Corporation. HRTC generates an equivalent amount of revenue through its own resources. He said that the State Government has set a target of making HRTC self-reliant within the next five years. He further stated that the government plans to procure 1,000 more electric buses and 200 hydrogen-powered buses in the coming years. The Chief Minister said that the State Government had envisioned a “Green Himachal” in its first budget, and the introduction and expansion of electric bus services is a step forward in realizing this vision. Additional Chief Secretary Omkar Chand Sharma and Managing Director, HRTC, Shivam Pratap Singh were present on the occasion in Shimla. At Mandi, HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria, Vice Chairman, Jal Prabandhan Board, Shashi Sharma, District Congress Committee Mandi President Champa Thakur along-with other dignitaries, were present virtually. -0- Read More
Governor pays floral tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Recalls Sh. Vajpayee’s special bond with Himachal Pradesh
Governor Kavinder Gupta today paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, at a solemn ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Shimla.

Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a great leader, an outstanding parliamentarian and a respected statesman, the Governor said his contribution to the country would always be remembered. He said Vajpayee’s life and leadership continue to inspire people across generations.

The Governor said Sh. Vajpayee was respected across political parties for his simplicity, powerful speeches and commitment to democracy and good governance. He always placed the interests of the nation above political considerations and worked for the country’s development, social welfare and unity.

The Governor further remarked that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's abiding conviction was that India's progress must be anchored in democratic values, good governance and the empowerment of every section of society, and that his vision of a strong, self-reliant and developed nation remains deeply relevant to India's continuing journey towards a Viksit Bharat.

Recalling Vajpayee’s special bond with Himachal Pradesh, Gupta said the former Prime Minister considered the state his own. He had a deep and lasting association with Manali and Prini, which continues to be fondly remembered by the people of Himachal.

The Governor also praised Sh. Vajpayee for standing firmly by his principles and values. He said Sh. Vajpayee never compromised on honesty and integrity, even when it meant putting his government or political position at risk.

Sh. Gupta said the best tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be to follow his ideals of honesty, integrity, clean politics and service to the nation.

He added that Sh. Vajpayee’s ideals, leadership and contribution to India would continue to inspire future generations.

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CM pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at the historic Ridge in Shimla.

The Chief Minister said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a special attachment with Himachal Pradesh. He used to visit his residence in Manali from time to time to spend his holidays. He said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed in a politics of taking everyone along, a quality that is rarely seen in the present times. He added that the entire country is remembering the former Prime Minister with reverence today.

He said that the nation and the state will always remember him for the services and valuable contribution for the nation.

Patriotic songs and bhajans were recited by the Artists of Information and Public Relations Department during the ceremony.

Former Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, HIMUDA Vice-Chairman Yashwant Chhajta, councillors, DC Anupam Kashyap, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sachin Kanwal and other dignitaries also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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