SHIMLA-27 April, 2026
CM inaugurates 500 KW solar power plant in Dharech
- Shimla District’s Dharech Gram Panchayat becomes state’s first green panchayat
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated a 500 KW solar power project at Dharech Gram Panchayat of Kasumpti Assembly Constituency in Shimla district. He said that it was one of the significant steps of the present state government towards sustainable development.
He said that with this achievement, Dharech has become Himachal Pradesh’s first ‘Green Panchayat’. Constructed at an approximate cost of Rs. 1.94 crore, the project commenced in January 2025 and was successfully connected to the electricity grid on 30 March 2026.
The Chief Minister said that the solar power plant was generating around 3,000 units of clean energy per day, with an estimated annual production of nearly eight lakh units. As per the agreement, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited will purchase this electricity at a rate of Rs. 3.50 per unit. This is expected to generate a steady annual income of about Rs. 28 lakh for the Gram Panchayat thereby supporting its financial sustainability.
Sh. Sukhu said that this initiative was an inclusive and welfare-oriented model that would strengthen rural self-reliance. The revenue generated from the project would be distributed in a balanced manner, with 30 percent allocated for development works of gram panchayat, 20 percent for the welfare of orphans and widows, 20 percent to the state government, 10 percent to Himurja and the remaining 20 percent for operation and maintenance of Himurja.
He said that this project, with an estimated lifespan of 25 years, is an important initiative towards promoting sustainable development, clean energy and rural empowerment in the state. It will directly benefit local people and help improve their economic condition.
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CM expresses grief over woman’s death during religious event in Rohru
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the death of a woman during a religious ceremony in Kulgaon of Rohru subdivision in Shimla district.
The Chief Minister telephonically took the details of the incident and directed district administration to gather information and take strict action against those responsible.
He also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty for the peace of the departed soul and for strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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Secretary Jal Shakti highlights key issues and progress of PMKSY in state
· Seeks financial assistance, cost norm revision and timeline extension for SMI and MIS schemes
A high-level review meeting on the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was held under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R Patil.
Secretary, Jal Shakti Vibhag, Dr. Abhishek Jain attended and presented the state’s progress, challenges and future requirements.
Dr. Abhishek Jain apprised that under the Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) programme, 149 out of 169 schemes have been completed, while 20 schemes are currently under execution. He said that the department is working with commitment and dedication to complete the remaining works in a time-bound manner, subject to timely release of funds.
He further highlighted that PMKSY interventions in Himachal Pradesh are critical under the 'Har Khet Ko Pani' component, given the state’s dependency on small irrigation structures due to hilly terrain. These schemes are directly contributing to enhancing irrigation potential in remote and rain-fed areas.
Highlighting state-specific challenges, he apprised that nearly 66 percent of Himachal Pradesh falls under forest land, requiring clearances under FRA and FCA, which leads to significant delays in execution. He said that extreme rainfall events in 2023 and 2025 caused large-scale damage, affecting both completed and ongoing irrigation schemes and necessitating redesigning, slope stabilization measures and fresh land acquisition.
He added that these repeated climate-induced disruptions underline the need for climate-resilient and disaster-adaptive irrigation infrastructure in hill states like Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Jain also apprised about infrastructure losses, including damage to 6 completed SMI schemes and 6 ongoing schemes, which has further impacted project timelines.
Given the difficult terrain, disaster vulnerability, and rising implementation costs, he requested revision of per-hectare cost norms from Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh to ensure realistic project execution. He also sought Central Assistance of Rs. 60.41 crore for SMI (111, 14 and 4 categories) schemes and approval of new proposals worth Rs. 273.78 crore under MIS. Additionally, he requested extension of timelines for ongoing projects to ensure quality execution in difficult field conditions.
The Union Minister appreciated the role of irrigation schemes in improving rural livelihoods, promoting cash crop cultivation and reducing migration from rural areas and assured that the concerns raised by Himachal Pradesh would be given due and sympathetic consideration.