SHIMLA-8^th October, 2025

CM reviews preparations for unveiling statue of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a review meeting to take stock of the preparations for the unveiling ceremony of the statue of former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, scheduled to be held on 13^th October, 2025 at the historic Ridge, Shimla.

The Chief Minister said that this programme would be organized by the state government and AICC in-charge for Himachal Pradesh and MP Rajni Patil, alongwith senior Congress leaders would attend the event. He directed the officers to make all necessary arrangements to ensure the successful organization of the programme and to put in place the necessary security measures.

Shri Sukhu also instructed that all preparations must be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, MLA Harish Janartha, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, HIMUDA Vice Chairman Yashwant Chhajta, Secretary GAD Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and other dignitaries were present in the meeting.

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CM reviews Rs. 145 crore utility duct project in Shimla

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today reviewed the ongoing construction work of utility ducts, being built along the approximately 7 km stretch from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park at a cost of Rs. 145 crore. He directed the PWD officers to complete the project at the earliest.

He said that the construction work of the duct from Chotta Shimla to Oak Over was almost complete and should be finished within the next 15 days. He directed that the tarring of the road and the installation of streetlights be completed promptly.

“Shimla, being not only the capital but also a major tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh, must retain its charm,” said the Chief Minister. “A city free from the clutter of overhead cables would provide a better experience for tourists. This project is being implemented with an objective to further boost tourist inflow to Shimla,” he added.

The utility duct network would extend from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park, Secretariat via Raj Bhavan to Oak Over and from Sher-e-Punjab through Lower Bazaar up to CTO. These duct would accommodate underground electric and water lines along with other utility cables.

MLAs Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar along-with senior officers from the Public Works Department were present in the meeting.

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Forest Employees Federation contributes Rs. 5 lakh to CM Relief Fund

A delegation of the HP Forest Non-Gazetted Employees Federation lead of Head of Forest Force Dr. Sanjay Sood called on the Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today.

The delegation expressed its gratitude to the Chief Minister for the recent promotion of 301 forest guards to the post of deputy range officers in the forest department.

The Federation also contributed an amount of Rs. 5 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support disaster relief efforts in the state.

State General Secretary of Federation Dinesh Sharma along with other representatives and NGO President Pradeep Thakur were present on the occasion.

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CM announces major pre-Diwali bonanza to different categories of employees

· Wages of daily wagers and honorarium of Lambardars, SMC teachers, Chowkidars enhanced

Ahead of Diwali festival, the State Government has announced a big gift to various categories of its employees by increasing wages and honorarium.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced to increase the honorarium of 21,115 Mid-Day Meal Workers by Rs. 500, taking it to Rs. 5,000 per month. Similarly, the honorarium of 877 SMC C&V teachers has been raised from Rs. 15,509 to Rs. 16,009, and that of 833 SMC Lecturers and DPEs by Rs. 500 to Rs. 19,378 per month. The 491 SMC TGTs will now receive Rs. 19,378 per month after a Rs. 500 hike, while 62 SMC JBTs will now get Rs. 13,762 per month while 31 water carriers would now receive Rs. 5,500 per month after a Rs. 500 increase.

Besides, the daily wages of daily wagers and part-time workers have been increased by Rs. 25, bringing it to Rs. 425 per day. The honorarium of stitching instructors has been enhanced by Rs. 500 and that of 1,399 Panchayat Chowkidars also by Rs. 500 and thus taking it to Rs. 8,500 after per month. As many as 970 Rajasva Chowkidars will now get Rs. 6,300 while 3,304 Lambardars will receive Rs. 4,500 per month after a Rs. 300 increase.

The government has also increased the honorarium of the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. With an increase of Rs. 1,000, the Zila Parishad Chairperson will now receive Rs. 25,000 per month the Vice Chairperson will get Rs. 19,000. The Zila Parishad Members will now get Rs. 8,300 with an increase of Rs. 500 each whereas the Panchayat Samiti Chairperson will receive Rs. 12,000 and Vice Chairperson Rs. 9,000 after an increase of Rs. 600 each. The honorarium of Members Zila Parishad has been increased by Rs. 3000 and now they will get Rs. 7,500 per month. Similarly, with an increase of Rs. 300, the Gram Panchayat Pradhan will now get Rs. 7,500 and the Up-Pradhan Rs. 5,100 whereas Gram Panchayat Members will get Rs. 2,100 per month with an increase of Rs. 600.

The honorarium of the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation has also been raised by Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 25,000, the Deputy Mayor’s by Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 19,000 and Councilor's by Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 9,400. The Chairperson of the Municipal Council will now receive Rs. 10,800 with an increase of Rs. 600 and the Vice Chairperson Rs. 8,900 with an increase of Rs. 500 while Councillors Rs. 4,500 per month with an increase of Rs. 500. The Nagar Panchayat Pradhan will now get Rs. 9,000 after an increase of Rs. 600, the Up-Pradhan Rs. 7,000 with an increase of Rs. 400 and Members Rs. 4,500 per month after increase of Rs. 300.

The State Government has also increased the honorarium of Special Police Officers by Rs. 300, outsourced employees to Rs. 12,750 and IT teachers by Rs. 500 per month.