Feature-State Govt. prioritises health, nutrition and education for young learners

• Advances early childhood care with Saksham Anganwadi Centres
• Promotes kitchen gardens to improve Mid-Day Meals, ensures nutritious meals for over five lakh school students

Shimla,01.03.2026-Under the visionary leadership of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the present state government has taken determined steps to strengthen the foundations of early childhood care and the development of children. With a clear focus on nutrition, quality education and inclusive growth, the government is committed to ensuring that every child in Himachal Pradesh receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive and succeed.

The present state government has placed child nutrition and early development at the centre of its governance agenda. Recognising that balanced and nutritious food is essential for both physical growth and mental well-being, the government has intensified efforts to secure the health and future of Himachal’s youngest citizens.

Across the state, 18,925 Anganwadi Centres are serving as pillars of community care, catering to the nutritional and early educational needs of children. Every month, the growth of children up to six years of age is carefully monitored on key physical and developmental parameters, ensuring that no child is left behind. During the current financial year alone, Rs. 113 crore has been spent under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, while Rs. 1516.09 lakh has been utilised under the Special Nutrition Programme which is a clear reflection of the government’s unwavering commitment.

In a significant step towards holistic child development, the government has declared all Anganwadi Centres as “Anganwadi Co-Schools”. This progressive move aims to integrate early childhood care with formal schooling, strengthening the foundation of learning. A state-level joint committee, chaired by the Secretary (Education), has been constituted to effectively implement guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Education for co-locating Anganwadi Centres with schools.

Further strengthening this framework, 1,030 Saksham Anganwadi Centres have been approved in the state, including 100 in Chamba district alone. The process of upgrading centres is underway, supported by comprehensive capacity building. District Programme Officers, Child Development Project Officers and Supervisors have been trained as State-Level Master Trainers. They, in turn, will train Anganwadi Workers across the state, ensuring improved service delivery at the grassroots level.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also launched the Mukhyamantri Bal Poshan Aahar Yojna, extending nutritious meals to students in all government schools. Under this scheme, 5.34 lakh students studying in 15,181 government schools are receiving a wholesome and balanced meal which is reinforcing the belief that learning flourishes when hunger is eliminated.

Complementing this initiative is the highly successful “Kitchen Garden” movement. Implemented in 14,464 schools, these gardens produce seasonal vegetables and herbs with the collective efforts of mid-day meal workers, teachers, school management committees and students. Even schools with limited space have adopted innovative methods, growing vegetables in containers and pots. The fresh produce is incorporated into mid-day meals, ensuring that children receive healthy, farm-fresh food while also learning the value of natural farming and sustainable living.

Acknowledging the dedication of 21,115 mid-day meal workers who serve food with care and commitment, the Chief Minister has enhanced their monthly honorarium by Rs. 500, raising it to Rs. 5,000. This gesture underscores the government’s recognition of their vital role in nurturing young lives.

The World Health Organization affirms that proper nutrition is fundamental to improved child and maternal health, stronger immunity, reduced risk of non-communicable diseases and longer life expectancy. The Himachal Pradesh government’s initiatives are firmly aligned with this global understanding.

Healthy children learn better, dream bigger and grow into productive citizens capable of breaking the cycles of poverty and deprivation. Through sustained investment, thoughtful planning and compassionate leadership, the present state government has ensured that nutritious food is not a privilege, but a right for every child.

As Himachal Pradesh moves forward, it does so with a clear vision that the prosperity of the state rests in the well-being of its children. Under the steadfast leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state is not merely feeding its youngest citizens but it is nurturing hope, strengthening futures and building a healthier, happier and brighter Himachal for generations to come.

-Issued by:

Director

Information & Public Relations,

Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-171002

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HP Police conducts statewide crackdown under Anti-Chitta Campaign

· Raids at 145 locations, large quantity of narcotics and illicit liquor seized

The spokesperson of the Himachal Pradesh Police today here said that under the statewide Anti-Chitta Abhiyaan launched by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, continuous, effective and strict action was being taken by the Himachal Pradesh Police with strong leadership and firm commitment to completely eradicate the drug mafia and fulfill the resolve of a “Chitta-Free Himachal.”

He said that as part of the second phase of the campaign, a synchronized/parallel search and raid operation against drug trafficking was conducted across all districts of the state today. This special drive was successfully carried out through a joint and intelligence-based operation involving the State Intelligence Department, Armed Forces and District Police.

The spokesperson further said that during the campaign, drug detection kits were effectively used and proper videography of the entire process of search, seizure and arrest was ensured. All actions were carried out in full compliance with the NDPS Act, BNSS, Arms Act and other applicable legal provisions.

A total of 145 locations were searched during the operation. In the process, 406 grams of charas, 19.236 grams of chitta (heroin), 124 grams of poppy husk (chura-post), and 465,100 milliliters of illegal liquor were recovered. During the operation, 6 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and 4 cases under the Excise Act.

The State Government and Himachal Pradesh Police were fully committed to expanding this campaign in a more comprehensive, scientific, aggressive and zero-tolerance manner to achieve the goal of a drug-free society. The Police Department has appealed to citizens, especially the youth, to immediately report any drug-related activity to 112 or the nearest police station. The identity of informants would be kept completely confidential.

He added that under the strong leadership of the Chief Minister and with the active participation of youth, Himachal Pradesh Police is making every possible effort to completely eliminate the drug mafia from the state and positive results are already being observed.

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Himachal moves towards quality healthcare with advanced 3 Tesla MRI facility at IGMC Shimla: Harish Janartha

· Expresses gratitude to Chief Minister for installing 3 Tesla MRI machine in IGMC

MLA Harish Janartha has expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for the installation of a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI machine at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. He described the development as a historic and transformative step towards modernizing and strengthening the healthcare system of Himachal Pradesh.

Sh. Janartha stated that IGMC had been functioning with an outdated MRI machine for nearly two decades, despite rapid advancements in medical technology. The installation of the new 3 Tesla MRI machine addresses a long-standing requirement and will significantly enhance diagnostic precision. With its superior imaging capability, doctors would be able to detect complex and subtle medical conditions with greater accuracy, thereby improving treatment outcomes.

He further said that similar advanced technology is being used at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and that patients in Himachal Pradesh would now be spared the need to travel outside the state for specialized diagnostic services. This initiative would save valuable time and financial resources while ensuring timely medical intervention.

He also thanked the Chief Minister for strengthening diagnostic facilities at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC Shimla) and Chamiyana Hospital with the installation of high-resolution MRI machines as part of the Rs. 95 crore procurement of five MRI units across the state. He further appreciated the provision of advanced ultrasound imaging machines and modern digital X-ray systems under the Rs. 14 crore allocation for ultrasound equipment and Rs. 14 crore for ceiling-suspended DR X-ray machines, eight Imaging Archive and Retrieval Technology systems worth Rs. 40 crore are being installed across the seven medical colleges and the Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla. He said that that these investments would significantly enhance early and accurate diagnosis and ensure timely treatment for patients.

The MLA also appreciated the efforts for the establishment of an L-1 Trauma Centre at IGMC Shimla at a cost of Rs. 30.90 crore thereby significantly strengthening emergency medical services across different regions of the state.

Sh. Janartha said that the state government has taken significant steps to enhance the healthcare infrastructure at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla. This includes increasing the remuneration of essential technical staff such as radiographers and X-ray technicians. The government has also approved the recruitment of 200 medical officers, 38 assistant professors in various super-specialty departments, and 400 staff nurses as job trainees. These measures aim to improve the efficiency of medical colleges and hospitals across the state, ensuring that people have easy access to specialized healthcare facilities.

He described as highly commendable the expansion of super-specialty services at medical colleges in AIMSS Chamyana along with the development of bone marrow transplant infrastructure and the establishment of smart laboratories. He said that introduction of robotic surgery facilities, a first in the history of Himachal Pradesh, was a landmark achievement. Robotic surgery services have already commenced at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities, Chamyana and at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. He said that robotic surgery services would soon begin at IGMC Shimla as well which would further strengthen advanced healthcare access within the state.

The up-gradation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Shimla along with required specialist staff, Himachal Pradesh, has also been initiated by the government which is a commendable step towards ensuring quality treatment to the patients nearer to their homes.

Sh. Harish Janartha said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh is steadily progressing towards world-class healthcare standards. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for these visionary initiatives, stating that they are ushering in a new era of accessible, modern and high-quality healthcare for the people of the state.