SHIMLA -29 January, 2026

State-of-the-Art Cancer Care Centre with 11 departments to come up in Hamirpur: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the government was establishing a state-of-the-art Cancer Care Centre (CCC) at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College (Dr. RKGMC), Hamirpur. He said that the Cancer Care Centre would house 11 new specialized departments to comprehensively address the needs of cancer patients. Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Pain Palliation, Nuclear Medicine, Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Onco Pathology, Pediatric Oncology, Radiology Imaging, Gynae Oncology, Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation and Radiation Oncology departments would be created in this Centre and would provide specialized facilities to cancer patients.

He said that the establishment of the CCC would create a robust treatment system as the population faces a growing cancer risk. Various reports have highlighted the urgent need for systematic screening, prevention, monitoring, recording and timely intervention in cancer cases. This necessitates the development of seamless linkages from primary healthcare facilities to advanced tertiary-level cancer care institutions. With a strong focus on prevention, early detection and comprehensive patient support, the state government has proposed and initiated the establishment of a State Cancer Centre at Dr. RKGMC, Hamirpur and necessary steps in this direction have already been taken by the Department of Medical Education.

The Chief Minister said that the proposed State Cancer Institute at Hamirpur would comprise a multi-storey building with a capacity of 264 beds dedicated to cancer patients. The ground floor would house key facilities such as clinical laboratories, outpatient departments (OPDs), pharmacy, emergency ward, nuclear medicine OPD and registration services. To ensure the effective operationalization of the Cancer Institute, the Government would provide adequate and qualified medical, paramedical and support staff.

He said that since assuming office the government has taken several significant steps to revamp the healthcare system in the State. Outdated machines and equipment are being replaced with world-class facilities at par with AIIMS, Delhi. He Expressed concern over the fact that the state has one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the country after the North-Eastern States and to tackle it, establishing a high-end cancer hospital was of paramount importance for ensuring accessible and quality cancer care for the people.

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State government ensures uninterrupted food supply despite heavy snowfall: Dr S. P. Katyal

Chairman, State Food Commission Dr. S. P. Katyal today said that the state government was working with full committed to ensuring uninterrupted food security for all beneficiaries, despite the challenges caused by heavy snowfall in several parts of state.

He said that severe weather has temporarily disrupted power supply and internet connectivity in certain areas which has affected the operation of Point of Sale (PoS) machines at Fair Price Shops (FPS). However the State Food Commission in coordination with the state government and district administrations had taken timely steps to ensure that no beneficiary was denied their entitled ration.

He said that sufficient ration stock was available at all Fair Price Shops, including those in tribal and snow-bound regions. Beneficiaries in tribal areas have already been enabled to collect their ration entitlement up to March, 2026 which reflects the state government’s forward planning and people-focused approach.

In areas where ration distribution takes place on a monthly basis and has been temporarily affected due to snowfall the State Food Commission had recommended the activation of the Backlog Distribution Option. This would allow ration distribution to continue smoothly once power supply and connectivity were restored.

Dr. Katyal further said that all district authorities have been directed to identify and report affected areas immediately, particularly those facing power and connectivity issues, along with the current status of ration distribution. He said that instructions have also been issued to activate the backlog option without delay wherever required, so that beneficiaries receive their ration promptly.

The Chairman assured that the State Food Commission was monitoring the situation closely in real time and was working in close coordination with the local authorities to address challenges on the ground swiftly.

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Suggestions invited for budget 2026-27

A spokesperson for the State Government said here today that the process of preparing the State Budget for 2026-27 has begun. He said that, to make the budget more people-centered, participative and truly reflective of the views of different stakeholders in society, suggestions were being invited from the general public, industries, trade bodies and farmers’ associations for the 2026-27 budget. For this purpose, a web portal has been launched on the Finance Department’s website to receive suggestions.

The spokesperson added that the State Government has urged members of the public, industries, trade and farmer's associations, as well as other stakeholders and institutions, to share their valuable ideas. Suggestions may be sent by email to budgetidea.hp@gmail.com or by post to the Principal Secretary (Finance), Government of Himachal Pradesh, Room No. A-216, Armsdale Building, HP Secretariat, Shimla, by 10 February, 2026. Suggestions may relate to any issue, including ways to increase resources, control expenditure and other budget-related matters for the 2026-27 annual budget.

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