Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the credibility of governance rests significantly on the diligence and impartiality of accounting and audit professionals. He emphasized that their vigilance transforms policies into results, ultimately benefiting the citizens who place trust in the State through their tax contributions.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of "Audit Week 2025" organized here today by the offices of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India on the theme "A Collaborative Commitment Towards Good Governance and Financial Prudence."

While congratulating officers and staff of the Indian Audit & Accounts department, the Governor described the institution of the C&AG as an indispensable pillar of democracy, upholding principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance. He said the institution ensures that public resources are not merely spent lawfully, but also directed toward public welfare. This, he noted, reinforces the foundation of trust between the State and its citizens.

Shri Shukla stressed that Audit Week serves not merely as a formal event, but as a moment of introspection on constitutional responsibilities. He said that the C&AG acts as a watchdog of financial accountability, ensuring honesty, transparency and public interest in every expenditure of public funds. The technical sessions, deliberations, and formal events under Audit Week, he said, provide both a review of past efforts and a pathway to strengthen audit methodologies for the future.

Appreciating the department’s contribution towards financial transparency in Himachal Pradesh, the Governor said that careful documentation, fact-based reports, and informed recommendations support better decision-making and facilitate good governance. He added that in a mountainous state like Himachal, where infrastructure, remote service delivery, environmental risks, and natural disasters pose complex challenges, audit interventions become even more crucial to ensure tangible delivery of public schemes and projects at the grassroots level.

He expressed satisfaction that the audit offices in Himachal have adopted digital workflows, hybrid audit models, and data analytics to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. He said that audit excellence depends on the competency of its officers, and it is a matter of pride that such a premier national training academy is located in Shimla.

He commended the sincerity and neutrality of the audit personnel, asserting that their integrity and dedication strengthen democracy and urged them to continue serving the State and the nation with the same commitment.

Director General of the National Academy of Audit & Accounts S. Alok, detailed the activities planned during Audit Week. He said that interactive sessions are designed to ensure that audit findings and recommendations are practical, actionable, and well-understood. He highlighted that the institution is building a modern digital audit system that balances tradition with innovation, with a focus on risk-based, citizen-centric, and outcome-oriented auditing.The department aims to strengthen State development efforts while addressing emerging areas such as climate change, sustainable development goals, and social inclusion.

Director of the National Academy of Audit & Accounts Pushpalata proposed the vote of thanks.

Later, the Governor visited the heritage building of Gorton Castle and viewed a documentary highlighting its historical significance.

Principal Accountant General (Audit) Purushottam Tiwari, Secretary to Governor Chandra Prakash Verma, senior officers of the state government and officers and staff of the Audit & Accounts department were also present on the occasion.
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Youth power will make India a developed nation by 2047: Governor

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today chaired the closing ceremony of the ‘Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue and Drug-Free India Campaign’ held at Sardar Patel University, Mandi. He said that the energy, curiosity and creativity of the youth would make India a developed nation by year-2047.

The Governor said that the role of youth was the most important in fulfilling the resolve of a developed India. Youth play a crucial role in driving the Nation’s dreams forward. He urged the students not to see education only as a path to a career, but as a means for social change, innovation and service towards the  Nation. He encouraged them to develop leadership qualities along with discipline in one's life. Governor stated that  India was currently the world’s fourth-largest economy and was on track to overtake Germany by next year to become the third-largest. The rapid growth of start-ups, the digital revolution, advancements in space research and the expansion of infrastructure were all the outcomes and efforts of the youth.

Shri Shukla while emphasizing the drug de-addiction said that drugs harm not only individuals but also their families, society and the progress of the nation. He said there is a deliberate attempt to trap youth in synthetic drugs, and society must come together to stop this. A developed, strong and drug-free India is possible only when youth are aware, disciplined and dedicated. He urged youth to believe in their abilities, use their energy positively, stay away from drugs and help others stay away from them as well.

The Governor said that we must adopt a policy of zero tolerance against drugs. Awareness, open dialogue, family support and the role of educational institutions were extremely important to protect youth from harmful habits. He appealed to students to stay away from drugs and instead engage in sports, yoga, music, art and other positive activities. He said that inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he launched the Drug-Free Himachal campaign, which started from higher educational institutions and has now reached the panchayat level. He also appreciated the strong and meaningful efforts of the State Government in the fight against drugs. He requested the Vice-Chancellor to give priority to yoga and sports activities in the university.

The Governor said that Sardar Patel University has emerged as an important centre of knowledge, research and national awareness and congratulated the university for their dedicated efforts in taking university to new heights.

The Governor also inaugurated a blood donation camp in the university campus and visited a painting exhibition. He also released a book showcasing Sardar Patel’s inspirational journey through photographs.

He also  honoured the winners of story writing, speech, painting and poetry competitions organized under the Viksit Bharat and Drug-Free India campaign. Congratulating all the winners, the Governor said that the talent and determination of the youth will certainly shape the direction of a developed India.

Sardar Patel University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lalit Kumar Awasthi shared the university’s achievements and future plans, and explained the objectives of the Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue and Drug-Free India Campaign.

Dean of Student Welfare Rajesh Kumar delivered the welcome address, while Registrar Shashipal Negi proposed the vote of thanks.

MLA and former minister Anil Sharma, Mayor, Virender Bhatt Sharma and other distinguished guests were present on the occasion.

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Accuses BJP of giving away 5,000 Bighas of land for just Rs. 1.12 crore

Says BJP’s social media cell targeting him for curbing corruption
 

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced opening of a PWD Division in the Doon Assembly constituency of Solan district. He also announced the up-gradation of Baddi Civil Hospital to 100-bedded and Rs. 25 crore for construction of the SDM office and Rs. 10 crore for construction of a sports stadium.

He said that facilities in Baddi must match the growing population adding that a modern bus stand would be constructed at Baddi for which adequate funds would be provided. He announced that the Baddi, Barotiwala and Chandi schools would have CBSE curriculum from the next academic session.

The Chief Minister while addressing a huge gathering at Baddi made a scathing attack on the previous BJP government for turning a blind eye on corruption. He alleged that the BJP government gave away 5,000 bighas of land worth hundreds of crores to big industrial houses for just Rs. 1.12 crore, under the guise of customized packages. The stamp duty was waived and provisions were made to supply electricity at Rs. 3 per unit for five years and even free water. “As long as I am the Chief Minister, I will not allow the State’s assets to be plundered. We are custodians of Himachal Pradesh’s resources,” he asserted.

He added that the State Government was safeguarding the interests of Himachal and that's why we returned Rs. 30 crore received from the Centre for the bulk drug park and decided to develop it on our own. “The BJP’s social media cell is targeting me because I took stringent measures to curb corruption and ensured that the widows, orphans, women, labourers and farmers get their rights,” he added.  The previous BJP government left behind a debt of Rs. 75,000 crore and liabilities of Rs 10,000 crore pertaining to employees. For electoral gains, the previous government  opened various institutions in the last six months of their tenure without proper budgetary provisions and staff, he added.

The Chief Minister said local MLA Chaudhary Ram Kumar was always concerned about the development of the Doon constituency and works tirelessly to address concerns of the people irrespective political affiliations.

Highlighting the reforms undertaken by the present state government, he said that by bringing reforms in the education sector, the State stands 5^th from 21^st rank. We have started English-medium from 1^st class and merged the school directorates and from the next academic session, 100 CBSE schools would be opened in the State.

Sh. Sukhu said the health had also been strengthened and we have ensures to equip the health institutions with advanced technology and modern equipments and have allocated Rs. 3,000 crore for the sector.

Despite several challenges, Himachal Pradesh is steadily moving towards self-reliance. He said that the government was going to make large-scale recruitments in government departments. During the previous BJP tenure, recruitment papers were leaked. We disbanded the Commission, because we believe in transparency and merit-based recruitments.

The Chief Minister said the State Government was extending helping hand to the disaster-affected families. I have personally visited every disaster-hit area and issued special relief packages to the affected families. The Government changed the relief manual to ensure adequate financial support to the affected families and enhanced the relief amount from Rs. 1.30 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh to rebuild their homes.

He reiterated that he has repeatedly offered to accompany all the seven BJP MPs to seek financial assistance from the Centre for the disaster affected families. The Prime Minister himself had announced a package of Rs. 1,500 crore but we have not received the funds yet and we were helping the families with our own resources.

The Chief Minister distributed relief of Rs. 17,62,000 to 18 disaster-affected families as per Himachal Pradesh Relief Manual and cheques of Rs. 17,03,000 to 15 beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna-Grameen as final installment of Doon Constituency. He also presented nutrition kits to three TB patients under Tuberculosis Eradication Programme on the occasion.

Chaudhary Ram Kumar thanked the people saying that with their blessings, his father Chaudhary Lajja Ram served four terms as MLA. He said development works worth Rs. 475 crore were already underway in the constituency and today the CM has dedicated projects worth nearly Rs. 400 crore. He added that the newly dedicated 50-bed Baddi Hospital was  a major milestone. In the last three years, major offices have been opened in the Doon constituency.

Health Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLAs Vinod Sultanpuri and Bawa Hardeep, Chairman Jogindra Cooperative Bank Mukesh Sharma, Congress leaders Shiv Kumar, Surender Sethi were present on the occasion.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu performed inaugurations and foundation stones of 12 development projects worth Rs. 383 crore during his one day tour to Doon assembly constituency of Solan district today.

He inaugurated Baddi-Sai-Ramshehar road constructed at Rs. 86 crore, Rs. 15.78 crore tube wells in Doon area, Rs. 10.64 crore Civil Hospital Baddi and Rs. 3.15 crore newly constructed building of Community Health Centre, Barotiwala. He also inaugurated newly opened Government Primary Schools at Haripur Sandholi, Suraj Majra, Lubana and Chakkan in Baddi Educational Block.

The Chief Minister laid foundation stones of Rs. 73.21 crore  Quality and Reliable Power Supply Scheme, Baddi, Rs. 63.73 crore Baddi-Shitalpur-Jagatkhana road,  Rs. 40 crore  ISBT Baddi, Rs. 37.67 crore Mini Secretariat building Baddi, Rs.37.10 crore Sewerage Scheme for left out areas of Baddi and Rs. 5 crore Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, Kalyanpur, Baddi.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid floral tribute to India’s first woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, on her birth anniversary at the historic Ridge today.

Remembering her immense contribution to nation-building, the Chief Minister said that Indira Gandhi’s visionary decisions laid a strong foundation for India’s progress. Her leadership in poverty alleviation, economic reforms, nationalisation of banks, boosting agricultural productivity, employment generation and social empowerment was unparalleled, he added.

He said that she made the supreme sacrifice to safeguard the unity and integrity of the nation.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, HPCC President Pratibha Singh, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Sanjay Rattan, Harish Janartha, Ranjeet Singh Rana  and Malender Rajan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, HIMUDA Vice Chairman Yashwant Chajta, Mayor Surendra Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, SP Sanjeev Gandhi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on his day's tour to Palampur  laid the foundation stone of Palampur Heliport to cost Rs. 19.77 crore. The heliport will feature a passenger terminal building, fire station, utility building, and other facilities for travelers.

While addressing the gathering after performing foundation stone ceremony of Heliport, the Chief Minister said that this heliport would be completed by April next year after which helicopter services to Chandigarh and Shimla would commence at affordable fare. He added that the State Government was formulating several development plans for Kangra district. A proposal to develop a Tourism Village in Palampur had also been prepared, but some people, provoked by and  having allegiance with the BJP have approached the Court and have taken stay from it. He said that efforts were underway to resolve the obstacles. He reiterated that the State Government was committed to promote Kangra district as Tourism Capital of the State to open new avenues of income to the people of the district.

Earlier, he also inspected the Community Health Centre (CHC) Gopalpur and interacted with patients and staff.

He said that  that a provision of Rs. 3,000 crore has been made to enhance facilities for patients, from medical colleges to other hospitals across the State. New and advanced medical equipment was being installed in the hospitals to ensure that people receive quality healthcare services within Himachal Pradesh itself, he added.

MLA Ashish Butail welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the Chief Minister  would soon tour the area shortly and will dedicate projects worth around Rs, 300 crore. He said that the Chief Minister has assured funding for the construction of a new building at the CHC, along with provisions for a digital X-ray facility and an ambulance.

HPTDC Chairman Raghubir Singh Bali, Chief Minister’s Political Advisor Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (IT & Innovation) Gokul Butail, Vice-Chairman HRTC Ajay Verma, Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Development Bank Sanjay Singh Chauhan, Chairman HP Wool federation Manoj Thakur, Chairman APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra, Congress leader Devendra Jaggi and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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