SHIMLA-16 January, 2026-Government advances ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ vision with an comprehensive initiative for sustainable livelihoods of Pastorals: CM

• · PEHEL Project to transform pastoral livelihoods in Himachal Pradesh

Guided by the transformative vision of “Vyavastha Parivartan” articulated by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the present State Government has embarked on sustained and strategic efforts to ensure the growth, resilience and long-term sustainability of the State's pastoralist community. Recognizing pastoralists as a vital pillar of the rural and mountain economy, the government is pursuing systemic reforms to ensure inclusive development for traditional communities.

In furtherance of this vision, the Government has approved an ambitious project titled “Sustainable Small Ruminant and Empowered Himalayan Shepherds under Pastoralists Employment in Himalayan Ecosystems for Livelihoods (PEHEL)”. The PEHEL project reflects the core ethos of 'Vyavastha Parivartan' by integrating livelihood security with ecological conservation, modernization of pastoral practices, preservation of indigenous breeds and the creation of robust market linkages to ensure sustainable and resilient incomes for pastoral households.

The Chief Minister stated that the objective of the project was to secure livelihoods, strengthen the rural economy, preserve ecological balance in high-altitude regions, modernize traditional pastoral systems and conserve indigenous small ruminant breeds. He emphasized that Himachal, with its substantial population of migratory sheep and goat herders, stands to benefit immensely from a focused and forward-looking Small Ruminant Development Policy.

The project proposal envisions comprehensive breed improvement through the introduction of superior germplasm and the establishment of farms modeled on advanced sheep and goat rearing practices. To enhance productivity and economic sustainability, the government plans to integrate modern technologies such as digital registration of livestock, structured cross-breeding, genetic improvement programmes, artificial insemination and mobile veterinary services.

Special emphasis will be placed on the preservation, propagation, and strengthening of indigenous breeds such as Gaddi sheep and goats, Rampur Bushari sheep and Chegu goats, ensuring the conservation of their genetic diversity and their natural adaptation to the Himalayan ecosystem.

Recognizing the critical importance of assured market access, the government will develop adequate infrastructure for marketing pastoral products including wool, goat milk, butter, and meat with measures such as certification of wool quality standards, promotion mechanisms etc to enhance returns for pastoralists. The policy also includes financial incentives, insurance coverage, and social security measures, with special provisions for pastoralists safeguarding sensitive border areas.

Chief Minister said that pastoralists, breeders and youth would be empowered through targeted training programmes, awareness campaigns and extension services to promote best practices and encourage entrepreneurship.

A major digital initiative under the project is the ‘Bhed Bakri Owners Digital Herd Identification (BODHI)’, which will use a web platform and mobile application to ensure accurate breeder profiling, livestock ownership records, and mapping of migratory routes.

The project also introduces GENETIC-led animal upliftment and resilience initiatives, adopting a dual breeding strategy to strengthen both migratory and stationary sheep populations estimated at around 6.4 lakh in the State. For migratory flocks, particularly Gaddi sheep, structured cross-breeding with Merino and Rambouillet breeds will be undertaken.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister has directed the Forest Department to refrain from interfering with the customary grazing rights of the Gaddi community. He also announced that the government was considering an increase in the Minimum Support Price for wool in the forthcoming State Budget to further strengthen pastoral livelihoods.

Summing up, the Chief Minister stated that the PEHEL project aims to build a sustainable, resilient and remunerative small ruminant sector in Himachal Pradesh, securing pastoral livelihoods, strengthening the rural economy, and preserving the fragile ecological balance of the State’s high-altitude regions, in true spirit of Vyavastha Parivartan.

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CEO, HP to make presentation at India's International Conference of Democracy

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Himachal Pradesh, Nandita Gupta, will deliver a joint presentation with representatives from the Federal Republic of Germany on the theme “Ease of Identification at the Ballot” at the upcoming India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026. The conference will take place from 21st to 23rd January 2026 at the iconic Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

She stated that this significant responsibility reflects the global community's confidence in India's democratic values, institutional strength, and electoral integrity. She further emphasized that the conference stands as a testament to India's unwavering commitment to democratic excellence and International collaboration.

Ms. Nandita that it was the largest global conference of its kind ever hosted by India in the field of elections and democracy bringing together nearly 100 International delegates, representing Election Management Bodies from across the world, along with participants from International organizations, foreign missions and leading academic and professional institutions. The conference carries forward the visionary agenda articulated by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, she remarked.

Through this platform, India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 will familiarize participants who together represent a significant proportion of the global electorate with India's robust electoral framework, she said.

The conference will also witness the participation of leading academic institutions, including 4 Indian Institute of Technology (ITs), 6 Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), 12 National Law Universities, and Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMCs), with 36 thematic groups led by CEOs of States and Union Territories, as well as National and International academic experts, contributing to rich and meaningful deliberations.

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Education Minister chairs second steering committee meeting of UNESCO HP FUTURES Project

· Reviews progress and discusses way forward for education reforms in state

Education Minister Rohit Thakur today presided over the Second Steering Committee Meeting of the HP FUTURES Project (Himachal Pradesh: Foundation for Upskilling, Teacher Excellence, Understanding, Readiness, Equity and Sustainability) organized by Samagra Shiksha. He reviewed the progress made so far and discussed the way forward for this key education reform initiative of the present State Government.

He said that the meeting was organized to share updates on completed activities, learning's from field consultations, review implementation progress and set priorities for the next phase. He said that since the first Steering Committee Meeting held in September 2025, consultations have been conducted with civil society organizations, Samagra Shiksha, SCERT and DIETs on Competency-Based Education. School visits and interactions with teachers, students, policymakers and School Management Committees were also undertaken, along with focused engagements on Greening Education with institutions such as HIMCOSTE.

The Education Minister said that the HP FUTURES Project was launched in 2025 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Himachal Pradesh and UNESCO. He said the project aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023 aims to strengthen the quality, relevance and equity of education in the state by improving teaching-learning practices, promoting sustainability and nurturing values among students.

Rohit Thakur said that the project was built on three important pillars that directly respond to the needs of Himachal Pradesh. Competency-Based Education focuses on moving away from rote learning and developing critical thinking, problem-solving and practical skills among students. Value Education through sports uses sports-based learning to promote discipline, teamwork, inclusion and leadership, contributing to the overall development of children. Greening Education integrates environmental awareness, sustainability and climate resilience into school education, which is especially important for a hill state like Himachal Pradesh with its fragile ecology and rich biodiversity.

The Minister emphasized that these pillars together support a future-ready education system suited to Himachal's unique geography and social context. He said the project has already helped in identifying gaps between policy and classroom practice, improving teacher confidence in inclusion and equity, increasing student participation in eco-clubs and climate-related activities and strengthening community and School Management Committee involvement.

The Minister was also informed that nearly 200 teachers from across the state have been trained on Value Education through Sports, along with specialised training for senior secondary physical education lecturers. In the coming years more schools would be included and maximum interactions and training programmes would be conducted in educational institutions.

Rohit Thakur appreciated the support and technical expertise provided by UNESCO and said that the whole-school and whole-community approach under HP FUTURES would greatly benefit both teachers and students. He said that sustained collaboration, structured follow-up and strong monitoring systems would be key to scaling successful practices and further strengthening the state’s education system.

He also highlighted Himachal's strong performance in the education sector. Recently it had been declared fully literate state and has secured top positions in national assessments such as ASER, PARAKH and NAS. He urged all stakeholders to focus on further improving quality and innovation so that Himachal continues to serve as a model state in education.

A detailed presentation on the HP FUTURES vision and progress was made during the meeting.

Project Director, Samagra Shiksha Rajesh Sharma presented the vote of thanks.

Director of Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet K. Sharma, Director of School Education Ashish Kohli, UNESCO delegates and senior officers of the Education Department were present on the occasion.

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Dr. MSHIPA declares result of Departmental Examinations

The result of Departmental Examinations of Session November, 2025 has been declared by the Board of Departmental Examinations, Dr. MSHIPA. The candidates can view the results on Manav Sampada portal using PMIS ID and Password of individual concer

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CM seeks special relaxation for hill states under PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme

· May consider population criteria for availing this facility

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today called on Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar at New Delhi and urged him to provide special relaxations for hill states under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, citing operational challenges arising from difficult geographical conditions.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that no specific relaxations have been extended to hill states under the scheme, which has limited Himachal Pradesh’s ability, to avail its benefits despite the State’s strong commitment towards green and sustainable mobility. He informed that under the existing norms of the scheme, only Shimla is eligible for coverage, as it applies to cities with a population of over ten lakh.

He emphasized that several urban local bodies in the State, including Dharamshala, Mandi, Solan, Palampur, Hamirpur, Una and Baddi are rapidly emerging as major hubs of economic activity and human resource development. He requested that suitable relaxations be made in the population criteria to enable Himachal Pradesh to benefit comprehensively from the scheme.

The Chief Minister stated that the State Government aims to replace diesel buses on feasible routes with electric buses to reduce air and noise pollution. He informed that the Government has resolved to replace 1,500 diesel buses with electric buses in a phased manner. As part of this initiative, the State is in the process of procuring 297 electric buses during the current year under the CAPEX model from its own resources.

Highlighting operational challenges in hilly terrain, the Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to reduce the daily assured mileage under the OPEX model to 150 kilometers per bus in Himachal Pradesh to ensure realistic and achievable targets. He further requested revision of the current operational assistance of Rs. 22 per kilometre to Rs. 52 per kilometre for hill states, enabling State transport undertakings to operate electric buses without incurring operational losses.

He also urged for No Objection Certificate (NoC) from BBMB for transfer and allotment of 47 bigha of surplus vacant land at Sundernagar for 'Integrated office' of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, (HPPCL) to ease its functioning as it is located in different locations of the State as of now.

He also suggested that capital assistance should be linked to the actual mileage achieved in order to incentivize better performance and ensure equitable reimbursement.

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance to the State.

Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and other senior officers of the State Government accompanied the Chief Minister during the meeting.