SHIMLA - 29 July, 2025

CM expresses grief over deaths in cloudbursts in Mandi town

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over loss of three lives in cloudbursts occurred in Mandi town in the wee hours today. He said that district officers reached the site immediately and supervised the relief and rescue operations.

He said that the district administration has been directed to provide all possible assistance to the affected families and wished speedy recovery to the injured. He assured the affected families that the state government was standing in solidarity with them in this hour of distress and would make all possible efforts to provide them timely relief.

The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.

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SHIMLA, 29.07.25-

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Government to take up concerns of 'Seb Utpadak Sangh'with the Centre: CM

A delegation from the 'Seb Utpadak Sangh', led by former MLA Rakesh Singha, called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today to apprise him of their various demands. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that their demands would be considered sympathetically. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to standing with farmers and apple growers, stating “The government has already approached the Supreme Court seeking relief for them.”

He assured that no tree felling would be allowed following the Apex Court’s stay order, and directed the forest department to conduct an inquiry into the reports of tree felling in Karsog and Kullu valleys after the court’s directive. The Chief Minister also said that he would raise the issue with the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and the state government would formulate a policy in consultation with all stakeholders to address the concerns of the apple growers.

Sh. Sukhu said the State has urged the Union Government to allow the allocation of one to five bighas of land for the rehabilitation of disaster-affected families, who have been rendered landless. With 68 percent of the State under forest cover, he emphasized the need to relax forest norms to facilitate rehabilitation. He said that all the BJP MPs from the State have been requested to pursue this matter with the Union Government.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi assured full support to the growers and said that the State Government would leave no stone unturned in helping them and the Chief Minister was positive in this regard. He said that relief could also be considered under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, as has been done in the case of Pong Dam oustees.

Former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan and CPM leader Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar were also present during the meeting.

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Government adopting zero-tolerance towards drug abuse-CM

In a Cabinet meeting held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Police, Social Justice and Empowerment and Health Departments made detailed presentations on the steps being taken to combat drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh. He stated, “The State Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the drug menace and is fully committed to protect the youth from falling victim to drug abuse.” He emphasized the urgent need of coordinated actions to dismantle drug networks to protect the youth of the State from addiction.

The Cabinet decided to introduce mandatory dope testing for ‘Chitta’ during police recruitment. In addition, all new government employees will be required to submit an undertaking confirming they do not consume ‘Chitta’. The Chief Minister made it clear that strict action would be taken against any government employees found involved in drug-related activities.

During the meeting, it was informed that the drug abuse situation in Himachal Pradesh remains under control, with NDPS cases accounting for nine percent of total cases, significantly lower than Punjab’s 20 percent. It was also highlighted that under the tenure of the present State Government, 45 cases were registered, and properties worth Rs 42.22 crore belonging to individuals involved in drug-related activities were attached. This marks a more than two-fold increase in the number of cases and a three-fold increase in the value of properties seized as compared to previous periods. Additionally, under the provisions of the PIT-NDPS Act, 44 detention orders were issued and successfully executed.

The Health Department was directed to intensify its efforts in capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counseling, follow-up, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction. Integrated Rehabilitation Centres have already been established in Kullu, Hamirpur, Nurpur, and Una to facilitate recovery and re-integration into society. It was also informed during the meeting that a project with an outlay of Rs 14.95 crore will be launched to set up similar centres at all district headquarters, under the State Action Plan of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Chief Minister further instructed that Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Panchayati Raj Institutions, civil society organizations and the Education Department, to actively involve themselves in raising awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach, the Chief Minister exhorted all departments to work jointly in waging a comprehensive war against substance abuse. He also stressed the importance of regular interstate border monitoring to prevent drug trafficking.

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Deputy CM presides over HRTC and Bus Stand Management Authority Board Meeting

· Launches four digital systems to modernize HRTC operations

· Launches ‘Him Bus Plus’ and announces upto 20 percent discount for card holders

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today here presided over the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and the Bus Stand Management and Development Authority (BSMDA), during which several significant decisions were taken to enhance operational efficiency, passenger convenience, safety measures and non-operational revenue generation.

During the meeting, four new IT-based systems developed by HRTC in collaboration with the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDTG) were launched. These include an online travel pass system, enabling school and college students, government employees and traders to apply online for concessional passes, pay fees digitally and receive RFID-based smart cards. A digital bus inspection scheduling system was also introduced to improve monitoring of staff performance and ensure timely checks, with schedules now being transmitted via SMS.

A GPS-based bus tracking system has been initiated for 82 buses in Shimla, which would later be extended to the entire fleet of HRTC buses and would ensure better real-time monitoring. Apart from this, a new platform called 'Him Access HRTC system' has been launched which allows over 9,000 employees to access their personal and salary details online.

Shri Agnihotri said that to strengthen infrastructure it was decided that seven crore rupees would be spent on repair and maintenance of various bus stands across the state, along with installation of CCTV cameras at all bus terminals for public safety. A modern bus stand facility would also be constructed at Mandi Bharari (Bilaspur) to cater to increasing commuter traffic. He said that directions were also issued to speed up the process of setting up e-charging stations at workshops and bus stands to support the arrival of electric buses in the state fleet.

The Board also approved the launch of a new scheme named 'Him Bus Plus', which integrates identity management with cashless payments. Under this scheme, commuters would receive a five percent discount on fares for all HRTC buses, including Volvo services. Apart from this a loyalty programme would provide cash back benefits based on monthly travel. As a further step to attract more passengers, the fare of Super Luxury Buses would be reduced by 15 percent, allowing cardholders to avail up to 20 percent discount along with loyalty rewards.

Deputy CM said that to attract more tourists and increase revenue, Tourist Day Circuits would be introduced connecting major religious and tourist spots around Shimla. The Board also approved new revenue measures such as implementing an advertisement policy on HRTC tickets, website and app and piloting the operation of retail fuel outlets at 2-3 locations using HRTC’s own fuel pumps. A Dhaba policy would also be put in place to empanel eateries along bus routes with a focus on hygiene and commuter convenience.

Mukesh Agnihotri said that on the staff welfare front, the Board approved changing the uniform colour of HRTC staff from grey to khaki, as per demands from employee unions. Due to delays in the tendering process, it was decided to provide a cash allowance in place of one uniform set and to complete the procurement process within a month. It was further decided to establish Automated Testing Stations under PPP mode to ensure thorough checking of HRTC buses and to generate additional income for the Corporation.

Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) R.D. Nazeem, Vice-Chairman HRTC Ajay Verma, Director Transport D.C. Negi, Special Secretary (Finance) Vijaywardhan, Special Secretary (Tourism) Vijay Kumar, Joint Secretary (PWD) Surjeet Rathore, Managing Director HRTC Dr. Nipun Jindal, non-official Board members and senior officers from HRTC and BSMDA were also present in the meeting.

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Industries Minister addresses queries of bidder companies of Bulk Drug Park

While presiding over the over the 9th meeting of High Powered Committee (HPC) of Himachal Pradesh Bulk Drug Park Infrastructure Limited (HPBDPIL) here today, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan reviewed the actions taken on key decisions in the previous meeting of the Committee.

Pre-bid queries related to designing, construction, supplying, erection, testing and commissioning of common effluent treatment plant with zero liquid discharge facility and designing, construction, supplying, erection, testing and commissioning of hazardous waste collection facility and environment clearance were raised by various bidder companies who attended the meeting virtually, which were addressed by the Committee.

Industries Minister said that the state government was committed to resolve all the challenges faced by investors to ensure the project's smooth implementation. With the pre-bid queries resolved, the bidding process is expected to move forward swiftly. The industries department will continue to monitor progress to meet project deadlines effectively.

The minister emphasized the need for speedy progress and instructed all stakeholder departments to accelerate the tender allotment process to avoid delays in the project.

Advisor (Infrastructure) to Chief Minister Anil Kapil, Additional Chief Secretary Industries R.D Nazeem, MD HPSIDC Rajeshwar Goel, Additional CEO Industries Tilak Raj Sharma and other senior officers of various stakeholder departments were also present in the meeting.