SHIMLA-27th October, 2025
Government working with sensitivity for welfare of Scheduled Castes
- State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting held after 11 years
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a meeting of the State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, constituted the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1995 and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), 1985. This meeting was held after an interval of 11 years in which various topics were discussed in detail and the Members of the Committee presented their suggestions.
The Chief Minister said that these laws were the result of the spirit of social justice and foresightedness of the Congress Party and the architect of the Constitution Baba Sahib Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. These laws were being implemented effectively in the state, bringing positive changes in our society. He stated that Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department had been named as nodal officer to further strengthen the administrative system.
Sh. Sukhu said that Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, struggled throughout his life to establish equality and harmony in society. Inspired by his efforts, the state government was working with sensitivity and commitment for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes.
He said that incidents of untouchability had now reduced in Himachal Pradesh and the government was ensuring strict action in such cases. He said that approximately Rs. 7.35 crore had been distributed as rehabilitation assistance to 1,200 victims in the last three years, while 45,238 victims had been provided free legal aid through the State Legal Services Authority.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that 25.19 percent of the state's population belongs to the Scheduled Castes and the state government was working with compassion for their welfare. He further stated that brotherhood and harmony were being promoted among all sections of society through reservation in government jobs and various social schemes.
The Minister said that under Articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Indian Constitution, untouchability and caste discrimination had been declared punishable offences and equal rights had been granted to all citizens. In case of any violation of the Act, there was a provision of strict punishment and fine, depending upon the severity of the atrocity, he remarked.
Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvendra Goma, Chairman of the 7th State Finance Commission Nand Lal, MLAs Hans Raj, Vinod Kumar, Suresh Kumar and Malendra Rajan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, DGP Ashok Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Bhagat Negi, Director, Social Justice and Empowerment Sumit Kimta along-with the committee Members and senior officials were present in the meeting.
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एपीएमसी हमीरपुर ने आपदा राहत कोष के लिए सीएम को सौंपा 2.51 लाख का चेक
एपीएमसी की विभिन्न गतिविधियों और प्रस्तावित सब्जी मंडियों के बारे में भी की चर्चा
हमीरपुर 27 अक्तूबर। कृषि उपज मंडी समिति (एपीएमसी) हमीरपुर के पदाधिकारियों ने अध्यक्ष अजय शर्मा की अगुवाई में शिमला में मुख्यमंत्री ठाकुर सुखविंदर सिंह सुक्खू के साथ भेंट की और आपदा राहत कोष के लिए समिति की ओर से 2.51 लाख रुपये का चेक मुख्यमंत्री को सौंपा।
इस अवसर पर मुख्यमंत्री ने एपीएमसी के अध्यक्ष अजय शर्मा, अन्य मनोनीत सदस्यों विजय बन्याल, नीलम ठाकुर, रमेश पराशर, सुनील कुमार, दीप कुमार, केवल शर्मा और अन्य सदस्यों से जिला हमीरपुर में एपीएमसी की विभिन्न गतिविधियों एवं प्रस्तावित योजनाओं पर व्यापक चर्चा की।
अजय शर्मा ने बताया कि मुख्यमंत्री ने हमीरपुर में फोरलेन हाईवे के आसपास प्रस्तावित सब्जी मंडी के निर्माण को लेकर एपीएमसी के पदाधिकारियों के साथ विचार-विमर्श किया। उन्होंने नादौन में प्रस्तावित अनाज मंडी और कोल्ड स्टोर के निर्माण की संभावनाओं पर भी एपीएमसी के पदाधिकारियों से रिपोर्ट ली। एपीएमसी अध्यक्ष ने बताया कि मुख्यमंत्री ने जिला हमीरपुर में प्रस्तावित इन बड़ी परियोजनाओं से संबंधित सभी आवश्यक औपचारिकताओं एवं प्रक्रियाओं को अतिशीघ्र पूरा करने के निर्देश दिए हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि मुख्यमंत्री ने एपीएमसी को व्यावसायिक गतिविधियों का विस्तार करने तथा किसानों-बागवानों के लिए आवश्यक सुविधाओं का प्रावधान करने के निर्देश भी दिए, ताकि किसानों-बागवानों की फसलों का सही विपणन सुनिश्चित हो सके और उन्हें अपने घर के पास ही अच्छे दाम मिल सकें।
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CM directs officials to implement budget announcements expeditiously on ground
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today held a review meeting here with senior officers regarding the implementation of budget announcements for the financial year 2025-26. He directed the officials to promptly execute the announcements on the ground so that the general public could derive maximum benefits.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was laying special emphasis on strengthening the education, health, food processing, green energy, tourism, data storage and the rural economy. Considering the new possibilities of development in these sectors, more public welfare schemes would be implemented in the coming time. He added that there was no shortage of funds and resources with the state government for developmental projects. He directed all departments to complete pending projects at a fast pace.
Sh. Sukhu said that efforts were being made to strengthen the rural economy with the objective of increasing the income of people in rural areas, including farmers and horticulturists. He said that cold storage and processing infrastructure were being strengthened to provide higher returns to the farmers and the state government was also promoting natural farming in a big way to strengthen the livelihood of the farming community. Special attention was being given to the certification and marketing of natural products so that farmers get fair prices for their hard work. Besides, the products made by self-help groups were also being promoted under the ‘HIM-IRA’ brand, which was proving beneficial in increasing the income of these groups.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was constantly striving for qualitative improvement in the field of education. For this, at least one Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School was being opened in each Assembly constituency and in the first phase, 100 government schools were being brought under the ambit of CBSE.
In order to provide better health facilities to the people, the health institutions were being equipped with state-of-the-art machines and equipment and the medical technology was being continuously upgraded to ensure specialized health care within the State, said the Chief Minister.
He directed all the departments to complete the digitization of their work in December this year and ensure quick delivery of services to the public through maximum use of modern technology. In line with the budget announcement, drone stations were being set up in Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra and instructions the concerned departments had been directed to complete this work expeditiously.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma, Chairman of the 7th State Finance Commission Nand Lal, MLA's Suresh Kumar and Malendra Rajan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments attended the meeting.
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State's HDI index higher than National average: CM
- Releases Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report-2025
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after releasing the 'Himachal Pradesh Human Development Report-2025' here today, said that this document reflects the State’s progress, resilience, and the aspirations of its people. Despite the State’s harsh geographical conditions and weather challenges, the report presents an exemplary story of development, made possible by the strong willpower and hard work of the people of the Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said, “It is a matter of pride that according to the Human Development Report-2025, the average Human Development Index (HDI) of Himachal Pradesh is 0.78, which is higher than the National average of 0.63." He further stated that Himachal Pradesh has recently achieved the distinction of becoming a fully literate state and the literacy rate of the state stands at 99.30 percent. He said that in a recent national survey, Himachal Pradesh was ranked 5th in the country in reading and writing competencies, whereas in the year 2021 it was at 21st position. Besides this, the infant mortality rate in Himachal Pradesh has dropped to 21 per 1,000 live births, which reflects the success of the State’s health system.
Sh. Sukhu said that the government has not only invested in roads, industries, agriculture and horticulture, but has also ensured investments in fundamental sectors such as education, health, women empowerment, elderly care and rural development to build an ideal and strong foundation for the future. He added that the life expectancy in the State has now increased to 72 years, symbolizing the success of the healthcare ecosystem. He said that the poverty rate in the state has fallen significantly and is now it is below seven percent. All these achievements reflect the government’s consistent efforts towards holistic and inclusive development.
Expressing concern over climate change, the Chief Minister said that it has emerged as a serious global issue and if a sustainable solution was not worked out immediately, both the present and the future generations would have to face its severe consequences. He said that Himachal Pradesh has always been proactive and sensitive advocating environment-friendly development and has adopted a sustainable development framework. The State has never exploited its forests, rivers or mountains irresponsibly but the effects of climate change are not confined to one place, it has far reaching effects globally, he remarked. During this year’s monsoon, Himachal has already suffered heavy losses due to climate change pattern. Many precious lives were lost and both the public and the private property damaged due to heavy rainfall, landslides and floods due to cloudbursts. He said that currently the mountains, rivers, forests and glaciers of the State are victims of global warming, due to which the State was grappling with problems like excessive rainfall, floods and landslides.
Sh. Sukhu said that to meet these challenges, the world must act as one family and join hands to conserve the environment together, ensuring planned economic development. He stressed that the future must be human-centric and climate-resilient for the safety of the coming generations.
The Chief Minister said that to reduce the impact of global warming, the State Government has launched the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 680 crore. Under the first phase, 50 percent subsidy is being given for purchase of e-taxis. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Solar Energy Scheme, a provision of interest subsidy has been made at the rate of five percent in tribal areas and four percent in non-tribal areas for setting up ground-mounted solar energy projects ranging between 100 kW to 2 MW. Himachal Pradesh, he said, has become the first hill State to adopt a strong electric vehicle policy, setting an example. The goal is to electrify public transport by 2030 to achieve Green targets.
Department Secretary Sushil Kumar Singla gave detailed information about the report. UNDP Senior Economist Amy Mishra made a detailed presentation on the UNDP report.
UNDP representative Dr. Angela Lusigi commended the efforts of the Chief Minister for green budgeting, climate sensitive programmes besides initiatives towards sustainable development and decentralized and participatory governance for building resilience.
The meeting was attended by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvendra Goma, Chairman of the 7th State Finance Commission Nand Lal, MLA's Suresh Kumar, Malendra Rajan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar and other senior officials.
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Government to provide safe overseas employment opportunities to youth: Deputy Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has stated that the state government would provide safe employment opportunities to the youth overseas. He said that at a time when global competition for employment was rapidly increasing, the state government has taken a decisive step to ensure that the State's youth get employment abroad through safe, legal and reliable channels.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the state-level programme under the Himachal Government’s 'Overseas Recruitment Drive' series, held at Palakwah today, as the Chief Guest.
The programme was organized under the joint aegis of the Department of Labour, Employment and Overseas Placement, and the HP State Electronics Development Corporation Limited. This was the second event in the series - the first drive started in Hamirpur on 9th October.
Sh. Agnihotri said that there was a time when people were cheated in the name of providing overseas employment. Parents would spend their entire savings to send their children abroad but there has been many instances that they were duped by illegal brokers. Now the state government has decided to send youth through affordable, legal and safe means. This step is the outcome of the state government’s commitment 'Skill to every Youth, Opportunity to every Skill'.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the state government was fully committed to the bright future of the youth and this initiative was a concrete step in that direction. Under the initiative the youth will be selected according to the demand of various trades available in foreign countries, ensuring proper alignment between skill and opportunity.
At Palakwah, 457 youth from across the state participated for 100 positions of trailer drivers. The selected candidates will be appointed at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. They will receive a monthly salary of 2,250 UAE Dirham (approximately Rs. 52,000), along with accommodation, overtime and other benefits.
He also symbolically handed over provisional offer letters to four selected candidates.
He said that this is the safest, most legal and transparent method of getting employment abroad as per individual's skill. There is a demand for skilled manpower abroad and the youth of Himachal Pradesh will immensely benefit from it. This initiative will bring innovation in the functioning of employment exchanges and all possible assistance will be provided to the youth.
State Labour Commissioner Dr. Virender Sharma said that this was the first time, the state government has framed a formal policy to send youth abroad. They will be sent as per the fee norms prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs. In the first camp held in Hamirpur, 29 candidates were selected and their visa process has been completed. They will soon be sent abroad. He said that HPSEDC was also developing a software through which youth will be able to directly share their complaints and issues.
The Labour Commissioner said that this campaign will continue and will be organized in different parts of the state. Information on 30 major trades in demand abroad is available on the department’s portal. Interested youth could register there and will also be informed by phone at the time of camps.
District Labour and Employment Officer Akshay Sharma welcomed everyone on the occasion. SDM Haroli Vishal Sharma, along with other officers, a large number of candidates from across the state and local youth were present at the event.