SUKHU ATTENDING THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF DR AASTHA AGNIHOTRY

SHIMLA,22.11.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attending the marriage ceremony of Dr. Aastha Agnihotri, daughter of Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri at Una on 22nd November, 2025.

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Excise department intensifies action against illicit liquor, 54945 liters seized since April

The Excise department has intensified its crackdown on illicit liquor across the state. Special teams are conducting raids and have registered 523 cases so far during this financial year.

The department has seized 21,637.166 liters of illicit liquor and 33,308.900 liters of lahan from various locations across the state. Last month alone, 309.340 liters of illicit liquor and 12 liters of lahan were seized in the southern region of Shimla, 2,678.225 liters of illicit liquor and 14 liters of lahan in the central region of Mandi and 529.150 liters of liquor and 4,870 liters of lahan in the northern region of Palampur. Additionally, 286.09 liters of illicit liquor were seized in Police District Baddi, 2090.625 liters in Kullu, 528.350 liters in Mandi and 286.045 liters in Una. The government has directed the district officials to take legal action against those involved in this trade.

In October, the department seized large quantities of illicit liquor and several operational distilleries in villages Milwan, Thakurdwara, Barota, Bela Ludacha and Ulehriyan in the Damtal area of Police District Nurpur which was destroyed on the spot after taking appropriate legal action.

In accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Excise department has formed special departmental teams at the district level to curb the smuggling of illicit liquor. Through these teams, an intensive campaign is being carried out in the state against illegal liquor activities. The department has constituted 35 special teams to stop illegal liquor activities out of which four teams each have been deployed in Kullu and Chamba districts, three each in Shimla, Solan, Bilaspur, Mandi and Una districts and Nurpur police district, two teams each in Kangra, Sirmaur and Hamirpur districts and BBN police district and one team in Kinnaur district.

Excise Commissioner Yunus said that the state government was keeping a close vigil on the illegal activities and taking strict action as per the rules so that the government revenue was not affected by the illegal liquor trade.

He has appealed to the people to share any information related to illegal liquor and its trade on the telephone number 0177-2620426 and WhatsApp number 94183-31426 and 0177-2620426 (South Zone), 01894-230186 (North Zone) and 01905-223499 (Central Zone) beong operated by the department, so that any kind of illegal activity can be stopped.

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Centre approves over Rs. 93.55 crore for special repair of embankments at vulnerable locations on NH -154A

The government of India has approved Rs. 93,55,59,489 for the special repair of embankments at vulnerable locations on National Highway-154A, following the sustained and vigorous efforts of the Himachal Pradesh Government.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh while disclosing this here today said that the State had been consistently pursuing this matter in view of the repeated damage caused to this highway during the monsoon. He said that assessment of the losses was done after the monsoon disaster in the Chamba district. He personally visited the affected areas and after detailed discussions with the local administration and concerned authorities, the matter was taken up rigorously with the government of India for immediate release of the financial assistance. The State Government had repeatedly highlighted the need for strengthening the embankments due to frequent landslides, erosion and safety risks to commuters.

He stated that with the consistent efforts of the state government, the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has now issued technical and administrative approval after examining the detailed proposal submitted by the Public Works Department. The project will be executed under close monitoring to avoid delays and cost overruns for special repair of embankment of vulnerable locations on Chakki-Banikhet-Chamba-Bharmour road in the Chamba district.

Vikramaditya Singh said that the work plan includes 30 percent completion in 2025–26, full physical completion in 2026–27, followed by structured maintenance up to 2031–32. This phasing ensures long-term protection of the vulnerable stretches and enhances the durability of the highway. He added that such long-term maintenance approval is a significant step, secured after continuous representation by the state government.

"NH-154A is a crucial route for tourism, trade and daily connectivity for local residents and its embankment strengthening will reduce road closures and disruptions, especially during heavy rains", said the PWD Minister. The State had repeatedly emphasized that frequent slippages on this highway not only posed risks to commuters but also affected essential services and economic activities, he added

He said that this sanction will strengthen the State’s efforts toward improved road safety and disaster preparedness. The state government remains committed to securing similar approvals for other vulnerable stretches on national highways in order to ensure uninterrupted movement across the hill state, he added.

The Minister said that the Regional Officer of the Ministry posted in Shimla will act as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer for this project and the work will be executed as per the technical note issued by the Ministry. He reaffirmed that the State Government was continuously working to upgrade road infrastructure and its persistent follow-up has resulted in major sanctions from the Centre, including the approval for NH-154A.