SHIMLA-13^th July, 2026

Shongtong-Karchham hydroelectric project to be commissioned by March-April 2027: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today directed to expedite the construction of the 450 MW Shongtong-Karchham hydroelectric project on the Satluj river in Kinnaur district to ensure its commissioning by March-April 2027.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Energy department here today, the Chief Minister said that nearly 80 percent construction work of the of the powerhouse had been completed. The construction of the barrage would continue during the current monsoon season, as the flow of the Satluj river would be diverted through bays 4 and 5, while work on diversion bays 1, 2 and 3 would also progress simultaneously.

He reiterated that the present state government was committed to strengthen Himachal’s clean energy infrastructure and promoting sustainable development. He said the project would significantly enhance the state’s power generation capacity, improve energy self-reliance and contribute to environmentally sustainable growth.

Sh. Sukhu said that despite several technical and geographical challenges, the state government has ensured proactive intervention through continuous monitoring and improved project planning. The site-specific technical measures were being implemented on a regular basis to maintain construction momentum, enabling the project to achieve more than 80 percent overall completion.

Upon completion, the project is expected to generate approximately 1,579 million units of electricity annually, substantially strengthening the state’s energy portfolio and enhancing grid stability. It is also projected to contribute nearly Rs. 900 crore annually to the state economy.

Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazeem, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Managing Director of HP Power Corporation Limited Abid Hussain Sadiq and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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NEET paper leak shatters dreams of millions of youth: Chief Minister

• Himachal to become number one state in country in education: CM
• Youth Congress launches 'Chhatron kee Goonj' campaign against NEET paper leak

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that the recent NEET paper leak during the tenure of the Central Government has shattered the dreams of millions of students across the country. He said that playing with the future of young people is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Launching the Youth Congress campaign, 'Chhatron kee Goonj,' from State Congress headquarters in Shimla today, he said this campaign would organise protests and public outreach programmes across the state to raise issues concerning the students.

The Chief Minister said that the Agniveer Yojna started by the Central Government has been unfair to the youth of Himachal Pradesh. He said that earlier, a large number of young people from the state used to join the Army, but the four-year service model has reduced their interest in military recruitment.

He said that the state government is creating regular employment opportunities through transparent recruitment in the Police and other departments. During the previous BJP government, question papers of the Police recruitment examination and the Subordinate Services Selection Commission were leaked and sold for huge sums of money. To ensure transparency in recruitment, the present government has established the Rajya Chayan Aayog. Referring to the NEET paper leak, he said it has destroyed the aspirations of millions of students across the country.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is bringing major reforms in the education sector. Himachal had slipped to 21^st rank in quality education in 2021, but due to consistent efforts of the present government, the state has now reached the fifth position. Himachal Pradesh is poised to become the number one state in the country in the field of education very soon. He said that modern CBSE schools are being established across the state along-with recruitment of teachers to provide quality education.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government is strengthening medical services across state. He said that people from the state spend nearly Rs. 1,000 crore every year on treatment outside Himachal due to the lack of advanced healthcare facilities. To address this issue, the government is equipping hospitals with modern medical equipment on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi. Moreover, 3-Tesla MRI machines are being installed in all medical colleges and robotic surgery facilities have already been introduced, ensuring better treatment for all sections of society, especially economically weaker families.

The Chief Minister said that the government is promoting natural farming to strengthen the rural economy and the crops being grown through natural farming are being given Minimum Support Price (MSP). He added that the state government is purchasing cow milk at Rs. 61 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 71 per litre to support the farmers.

Highlighting the government's welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that social security remains one of its highest priorities. He said that students are being provided education loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh at an interest rate of only one per cent. He said that around 6,000 orphaned children have been adopted as 'Children of the State', with the government taking responsibility for their overall development. He urged the party workers to ensure that the welfare schemes of the congress government reach up to grass root level so that all the beneficiaries could be benefited.

He said the revenue deficit grant of the state has been discontinued by the union government and the BJP leaders have repeatedly said that they are against restoring the old pension scheme to the state government employees. He questioned why people should vote for the BJP under such circumstances and expressed confidence that history would change in 2027 with repeat of the Congress government.

The Chief Minister said that his political journey began through student politics and that the Congress Party gave him the opportunity to serve the people of the state as Chief Minister. The Congress ideology played a key role in India's freedom struggle and laid the foundation for the country's development through initiatives such as the five-year plans and the establishment of premier institutions like IITs and AIIMS.

Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has risen from the student politics to lead the state as Chief Minister. He said that several papers were leaked during the BJP-led Central Government, whereas the present state government has taken strict action against those involved in paper leak cases and ensured transparency in recruitment.

National In-charge of Youth Congress Jyotish H.M. said that under the 'Chhatron Kee Goonj' campaign, protests would be organised in every Assembly constituency of Himachal Pradesh to raise awareness among students and the public about issues such as the NEET paper leak.

President, HP Youth Congress Chhattar Singh said that the present state government is providing employment opportunities to young people purely on the basis of merit.

A two-minute silence was observed on this occasion in memory of the 21 children who lost their lives due to the circumstances arising from the NEET paper leak and prayed for the peace of their souls.

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NEET paper leak shatters dreams of millions of youth: Chief Minister

• Himachal to become number one state in country in education: CM
• Youth Congress launches 'Chhatron kee Goonj' campaign against NEET paper leak

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that the recent NEET paper leak during the tenure of the Central Government has shattered the dreams of millions of students across the country. He said that playing with the future of young people is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Launching the Youth Congress campaign, 'Chhatron kee Goonj,' from State Congress headquarters in Shimla today, he said this campaign would organise protests and public outreach programmes across the state to raise issues concerning the students.

The Chief Minister said that the Agniveer Yojna started by the Central Government has been unfair to the youth of Himachal Pradesh. He said that earlier, a large number of young people from the state used to join the Army, but the four-year service model has reduced their interest in military recruitment.

He said that the state government is creating regular employment opportunities through transparent recruitment in the Police and other departments. During the previous BJP government, question papers of the Police recruitment examination and the Subordinate Services Selection Commission were leaked and sold for huge sums of money. To ensure transparency in recruitment, the present government has established the Rajya Chayan Aayog. Referring to the NEET paper leak, he said it has destroyed the aspirations of millions of students across the country.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is bringing major reforms in the education sector. Himachal had slipped to 21^st rank in quality education in 2021, but due to consistence efforts of the present government, the state has now reached the fifth position. Himachal Pradesh is poised to become the number one state in the country in the field of education very soon. He said that modern CBSE schools are being established across the state along-with recruitment of teachers to provide quality education.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government is strengthening medical services across state. He said that people from the state spend nearly Rs. 1,000 crore every year on treatment outside Himachal due to the lack of advanced healthcare facilities. To address this issue, the government is equipping hospitals with modern medical equipment on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi. Moreover, 3-Tesla MRI machines are being installed in all medical colleges and robotic surgery facilities have already been introduced, ensuring better treatment for all sections of society, especially economically weaker families.

The Chief Minister said that the government is promoting natural farming to strengthen the rural economy and the crops being grown through natural farming are being given Minimum Support Price (MSP). He added that the state government is purchasing cow milk at Rs. 61 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 71 per litre to support the farmers.

Highlighting the government's welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that social security remains one of its highest priorities. He said that students are being provided education loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh at an interest rate of only one per cent. He said that around 6,000 orphaned children have been adopted as 'Children of the State', with the government taking responsibility for their overall development. He urged the party workers to ensure that the welfare schemes of the congress government reach up to grass root level so that all the beneficiaries could be benefited.

He said the revenue deficit grant of the state has been discontinued by the union government and the BJP leaders have repeatedly said that they are against restoring the old pension scheme to the state government employees. He questioned why people should vote for the BJP under such circumstances and expressed confidence that history would change in 2027 with repeat of the Congress government.

The Chief Minister said that his political journey began through student politics and that the Congress Party gave him the opportunity to serve the people of the state as Chief Minister. The Congress ideology played a key role in India's freedom struggle and laid the foundation for the country's development through initiatives such as the five-year plans and the establishment of premier institutions like IITs and AIIMS.

Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has risen from the student politics to lead the state as Chief Minister. He said that several papers were leaked during the BJP-led Central Government, whereas the present state government has taken strict action against those involved in paper leak cases and ensured transparency in recruitment.

National In-charge of Youth Congress Jyotish H.M. said that under the 'Chhatron Kee Goonj' campaign, protests would be organised in every Assembly constituency of Himachal Pradesh to raise awareness among students and the public about issues such as the NEET paper leak.

President, HP Youth Congress Chhattar Singh said that the present state government is providing employment opportunities to young people purely on the basis of merit.

A two-minute silence was observed on this occasion in memory of the 21 children who lost their lives due to the circumstances arising from the NEET paper leak and prayed for the peace of their souls.

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Government steps up efforts to secure BBMB arrears after Kishau victory: CM

· CM discusses issue with Union Power Minister, seeks Centre's support to protect Himachal's rightful claims

After securing a major victory for Himachal Pradesh in the Kishau dam project, the state government has intensified its efforts to recover the state's long-pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a detailed telephonic discussion with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding the recovery of Himachal Pradesh's pending financial dues and statutory rights from BBMB. He sought the Centre's active support, stating that the state had been waiting for its legitimate rights for many years and the government was committed to securing them.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that Himachal Pradesh would move forward with the Kishau multipurpose project only after the Haryana government gives its clear consent regarding its share of the BBMB arrears and files an affidavit to this effect before the Supreme Court. He said it would not be appropriate to expect Himachal Pradesh to cooperate on new projects while its own rightful claims continue to be ignored.

He said that despite repeated requests, Punjab and Haryana have failed to ensure that Himachal Pradesh receives its lawful share.

Union Power Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister's of Haryana and Punjab and take the necessary steps to safeguard Himachal Pradesh's statutory rights and help resolve the issue.

The Chief Minister said that nearly 15 years ago, the Supreme Court had clearly recognized Himachal Pradesh's entitlement to 7.19 percent share in BBMB projects and the benefits arising from them. Despite this, the state had been deprived of its share of 13,066 million units of electricity and the associated financial benefits for more than a decade.

He said that following the Supreme Court's decision, the state government was taking all necessary legal and administrative steps to recover approximately Rs. 4,200 crore pending dues from the BBMB. He emphasized that this amount rightfully belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh and the government was determined to recover it.

Sh. Sukhu also recalled that in 2023, he rejected the earlier agreement on the 422 MW Kishau multipurpose project, under which Himachal Pradesh would have had to bear a significant share of the power generation cost. Owing to the state government's firm stand, Himachal Pradesh would now receive around Rs. 600 crore as annual revenue without making any financial investment, marking a significant victory in protecting the state's interests.