SHIMLA-08 May, 2026

Rs. 73.92 lakh contributed towards Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Kosh

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today here was presented a cheque of Rs. 73.92 lakh by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta on behalf of Mashobra Resort Limited, a government undertaking company entrusted with the operation of Hotel Wildflower Hall, Chharabra, Shimla, towards the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Kosh under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Expressing gratitude for the contribution, the Chief Minister said that such support plays an important role in assisting vulnerable sections of society. He said that following a successful legal battle in the Supreme Court, the State Government had strengthened Mashobra Resort Limited, which has now emerged as a profitable institution delivering positive results.

The historic 120-year-old Wildflower Hall luxury hotel property had remained embroiled in litigation for nearly three decades. A major breakthrough came after the intervention of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, with the State Government engaging leading legal experts to pursue the case effectively. The Supreme Court, on 20^th February, 2024, handed over legal possession of the property to the State Government, while physical possession was completed on 31^st March, 2025.

Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar and Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar were also present on the occasion.

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CM launches digital gate pass system to facilitate public interaction

• System to serve as a digital bridge between public and government: CM

To streamline and simplify meetings with the Chief Minister, a digital gate pass system has been introduced alongside the existing entry mechanism at the H.P. State Secretariat. The online system automatically generates a downloadable digital gate pass, eliminating the need for manual paperwork. For visitors arriving without prior appointments, gate passes can also be generated directly at the reception. It incorporates advanced identity verification features, including OTP-based authentication and Aadhaar-enabled face authentication. Entry verification will be carried out by security personnel through barcode scanning on the digitally generated gate passes.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the new integrated digital platform, ‘Unified Digital Calendar and Appointment Management System’, aimed at streamlining appointment scheduling and official meeting coordination with the Chief Minister.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “The platform would serve as the primary interface for the Chief Minister’s Office while also providing a robust framework for managing the professional calendars of government officers across the State. This initiative would act as a digital bridge between the public and the government, ensuring convenient and efficient public interactions.”

The system will also enable various government departments to submit meeting requests through a centralized digital platform. Once a meeting is approved, it will automatically synchronize with the digital calendars of all concerned officers, while instant notifications will be sent to the respective departments.

Earlier, while chairing a review meeting of the General Administration Department, the Chief Meeting directed to ensure better services to the visitors at Himachal Bhawan and Himachal Sadan in Delhi, as well as Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh. He stressed the need for improved cleanliness and the provision of nutritious and quality food for visitors. He said that the maintenance and repair of these Bhawans will be carried out by the Public Works Department.

The Chief Minister said that a professional approach should be adopted in the management and operation of these government properties to provide better facilities to the public staying in these government properties. He directed that the initiative be launched on a pilot basis from Himachal Bhawan, Delhi also.

Reviewing the ongoing construction work of Himachal Niketan in Delhi, the Chief Minister instructed to complete the project before 15^th June. He also directed that QR code-based payment facilities be introduced to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience while making bookings and said this facility should be introduced across the state for circuit house booking as well.

Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant joined the meeting virtually from Delhi, while Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretaries Dr. Abhishek Jain, Rakesh Kanwar and Ashish Singhmar, Director Digital Technologies and Governance Dr. Nipun Jindal, Special Secretary General Administration (GAD) Harbans Singh Brascon, Deputy Secretary GAD Anil Mankotia and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.