State Government to form a State Nutrition Policy: Chief Minister

· Composite testing laboratory at Kandaghat to be equipped with world-class technology

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a review meeting of the department of Health Safety and Regulation stated that government would formulate a State Nutrition Policy with an objective to ensure availability of balanced and nutritious food for all vulnerable groups, including children, adolescent girls, expectant and lactating mothers.

The Chief Minister said that the composite testing laboratory at Kandaghat would be upgraded with world-class, high-end technology to ensure precise analysis and greater efficiency. To ensure the quality and timely testing of food items, regional laboratories would be established in the first phase at Baddi, Mandi, Kangra and Shimla. In the second phase, similar laboratories would be set up in all districts of the state.

He further said that nutritional surveillance in the state would be strengthened. Food items would be tested and their nutritional content would be profiled and mapped. The department has been directed to carry out regular testing of food provided under schemes such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), Anganwadi services and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. He said that mobile vans would be used for testing, awareness generation, capacity building and training, so that the department’s outreach and effectiveness can be expanded across all districts.

To make departmental functioning more efficient and time-bound, the Chief Minister directed the use of modern information technology and complete digitization of all processes. He instructed the department to develop a state portal for the digital execution of all activities, including food sample collection and test results. Additionally, a State Nutrition Database would also be created.

The Chief Minister expressed concern that deficiencies in nutritional content and the presence of pesticides in food were contributing to an increase in diseases. He said that the state government was seriously addressing both issues and was working on effective solutions. In this context, he added that the government was promoting natural farming and encouraging farmers by providing benefits under various schemes.

He said that the state government was continuously strengthening the health sector. World-class standards were being adopted in medical education, ICUs were being established in every medical college and hospitals were ensuring a global-standard doctor-patient ratio.

Director DDTG Dr. Nipun Jindal, Special Secretary (Health) Ashwani Sharma, Director of Health Safety and Regulation Jitender Sanjta and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ driving historic tourism transformation in Himachal: CM

From Neglect to National Hub: Congress govt turns Himachal’s water resources into tourism powerhouses

Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a historic transformation in tourism under the present Congress government’s vision of Vyavastha Parivartan, where conservation, livelihoods and economic growth are being aligned, which remained completely neglected during previous BJP regime, sated Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today

The Chief Minister said the State government was developing Pong Dam Lake also known as 'Ramsar Wetland', as one of India’s most significant bird-watching destinations, particularly between November and February, proving that ecology and tourism can grow together when guided by responsible governance.

He said new attractions such as shikara rides and floating bird-watching decks will soon be erected to enhance eco-tourism, offering visitors and ornithologists a rare opportunity to witness thousands of migratory birds arriving from Siberian and Mongolian regions.

“The Pong Dam Lake Bird Sanctuary at Nagrota Surian now offers guided bird-watching experiences, while the Regional Water Sports Centre at Khatiyar provides facilities for boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, rowing and water skiing,” he added.

The BJP never had a vision to earn revenue from States exiting water resources, which were not utilized by them at all. Highlighting the shift from neglect to action, lakes like Gobind Sagar in Bilaspur and Tattapani near Shimla, which remained ignored for years under BJP governments have now been transformed into vibrant tourism hubs. Tourists are enjoying shikara rides, speed boats, houseboats, jet skis and water scooter rides, marking the rise of water tourism as a new growth engine for Himachal Pradesh.

He said Bilaspur is emerging as a national hub for water-based adventure tourism, supported by festivals, structured facilities and employment-generation societies that ensure local communities are direct beneficiaries.

“Tourism is not merely recreation, it is about livelihoods, dignity of labour and inclusive economic growth,” the Chief Minister asserted.

Calling this transformation unimaginable a few years ago, he said it has been made possible through decisive governance, progressive policy reforms and the Congress government’s commitment to 'Vyavastha Parivartan', a stark departure from the BJP’s ad-hoc and visionless approach to tourism.

The Chief Minister said the government’s vision goes far beyond water tourism. Under the Eco-Tourism Policy, the State is exploring the opening of 77 new eco-tourism sites across forest circles, projected to generate nearly Rs. 200 crore over the next five years, while positioning Himachal as a global model for responsible and sustainable tourism.

“This marks a clear shift from extractive development to a system where nature is protected, communities are empowered and benefits are shared equitably,” he said.

To empower youth and promote entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister highlighted the Chief Minister Tourism Start-Up Scheme, which provides interest subvention and subsidies for homestays, hotels and food vans.
“This scheme is creating stakeholders, not spectators, in the tourism economy and reflects our employment-oriented governance, reform-driven and people-centric approach,” he said.

“These initiatives embody the true spirit of 'Vyavastha Parivartan', where natural resources are not just admired, but responsibly utilized as engines of growth, employment and empowerment for the people of Himachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said.

HP Police conducts statewide special inspection drive under “Chitta-Mukt Himachal” campaign

· 433 courier warehouses inspected across state

The spokesperson of Himachal Pradesh Police today here informed that under the state-wide 'Anti-Chitta Jan Andolan' launched by the Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the State police conducted a special state-level inspection drive to prevent the misuse of courier services for drug trafficking to further strengthen the resolve of “Chitta-Free Himachal.”

During the drive, warehouses and godowns of courier service providers across the state were comprehensively inspected and audited.

Inspections were carried out at a total of 433 courier service providers operating in the state. These included 43 in Solan district, 13 in Kinnaur, 31 in Sirmaur, 40 in Baddi, 69 in Mandi, 34 in Kullu, one in Lahaul-Spiti, 37 in Hamirpur, 23 in Bilaspur, 69 in Kangra, 17 in Nurpur, 18 in Dehra, 22 in Chamba and 16 in Una district.

During the inspections, the entire chain of operations including parcel booking, storage, transit and final delivery was examined in detail. Special attention was given to CCTV surveillance systems, employee identity verification, maintenance of records and compliance with prescribed Standard Operating Procedures. Suspicious parcels were checked thoroughly and employees of courier services were sensitized about the provisions of the NDPS Act and other relevant laws.

Wherever procedural shortcomings were observed, necessary directions were issued to the concerned courier service providers, along with instructions to undertake time-bound corrective measures. All service providers were also briefed about potential red flags and clearly informed about the essential Do’s and Don’ts to prevent the misuse of courier services for narcotics trafficking.

This special drive marks a significant step towards the effective prevention of drug smuggling through courier channels further strengthening law and order as well as social security in the state.