21st September, 2025
HPSEBL to recruit over 2,600 youth to strengthen power services
The State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has approved the engagement of over 2,600 youth in Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL), including 1,602 Bijli Upbhogta Mitras and 1,000 T-Mates, to further strengthen electricity services across the State. This is the first time in the recent history of the government owned company that such a large number of job recruitment will take place in HPSEBL.
A Government Spokesperson informed that this decision has been taken to address the shortage of field staff and to ensure efficient and uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers. At present, there are 4,009 sanctioned posts of T-Mates, out of which 3,049 are laying vacant adversely affecting operations and delivery of services. To overcome this situation, the Government has decided to engage 1,602 Bijli Upbhogta Mitras against vacant posts of T-Mates at the circle level, in addition to filling up 1,000 posts of T-Mates.
The Bijli Upbhogta Mitras will be appointed by an authorized Government agency from among eligible candidates who have passed Matriculation and hold an ITI certificate in Electrical/Wireman trade from a recognized institution. The prescribed age limit for applicants is 18 to 30 years.
The Spokesperson added that field staff are the backbone of HPSEBL, ensuring efficient power supply and playing a vital role in repairing damaged infrastructure and restoring electricity during disasters. Electricity being an essential service, strengthening this workforce will greatly benefit consumers. He further stated that this initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring better services for electricity consumers, while simultaneously creating gainful employment opportunities for local youth.
The Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the Government is committed to providing employment opportunities to the youth. In the last two and a half years, 23,191 youth have been employed in the government sector alone. Going forward, new avenues of employment as well as self-employment opportunities will be created to benefit the youth of the State.
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FEATURE-Government enhances pilgrim experience through heritage development
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government has shown remarkable commitment to conserve the State’s cultural heritage while modernizing religious sites and improving facilities for devotees. The government has so far sanctioned over Rs. 550 crore for conservation and development works, exhibiting its strong resolve to safeguard age old traditions and customs vis-à-vis keeping pace with modernity.
Nearly Rs. 50 crore has been approved for the restoration of ancient temples, forts and archaeological sites. In addition, around Rs. 37 crore have been sanctioned for development works in temples. To improve the convenience of pilgrims the innovative SUGAM Darshan system was introduced at Shree Chintpurni temple in August, 2023. Apart from routine crowd management, special facilities for the elderly and specially-abled individuals are also being provided. Online langar booking and online darshan have also been launched and would soon be extended to other temple trusts.
A sum of Rs. 56.26 crore sanctioned for Shree Chintpurni Temple to promote religious tourism, while a Rs. 250 crore grand complex is under construction at the temple. Further, Rs. 100 crore each has been approved for the development of Shree Jwalaji and Shree Naina Devi Temples.
To uphold the sanctity of rituals, priests were being provided special training. Recently, 15 priests from Shree Chintpurni Temple and 10 priests from Shree Naina Devi Temple underwent online training through Banaras Hindu University and more priests will be trained in phased manner.
Financial support has also been extended to cultural and religious institutions. About Rs. 11.16 crore has been sanctioned for maintenance of cultural heritage, while rupees one crore annually is being given under the recurring fund scheme for regular worship and infrastructure. For smaller temples, the annual assistance for incense and lighting has been doubled for 2025-26.
The restoration of the historic Bantony Castle in Shimla has been a landmark achievement. Inaugurated in September 2023, it now houses a light-and-sound show and will soon include a digital museum and around Rs. 25 crore have been sanctioned for the project. The complex also promotes local crafts and cuisine through 'Pahari Aangan' stalls on the lines of Delhi Haat.
Further efforts include the construction of auditoriums in district headquarters, with five already completed and others underway in Chamba and Nahan. Large-scale grants of Rs. 66.50 lakh (2023-24) and Rs. 1.10 crore (2024-25) have supported national and state-level fairs, while cultural activities of voluntary organizations have been provided Rs. 70.40 lakh (2023-24) and Rs. 58.35 lakh (2024-25).
The government has also marked milestones like the 50 years of Himachal State Museum Shimla in January 2024, which now exhibits 1,500 rare objects across 28 galleries and organized celebrated events such as the Shimla Music Festival 2024 and Him Mahotsav Delhi Haat 2025. Training workshops in Sanskrit and Tankari scripts have further deepened cultural engagement.
These measures are not only preserving heritage but also turning temples and cultural sites into vibrant centers of tradition and modernity. By showcasing Himachal’s folk arts, crafts, music and cuisine at National and International levels, the government is instilling pride among the youth and giving a new identity to the state’s legacy.
With such dedicated efforts the state government is setting a model of how culture and modernization can walk hand in hand strengthening unity, enriching traditions and building a cultural pride that will endure for generations.
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Press Statement of Principal Advisor (Media) issued on 21 September, 2025
Chief Minister performing duties with utmost integrity and dedication: Naresh Chauhan
Remarks on CM’s foreign visit for daughter’s admission reflects intellectual and moral decline of opposition
The Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, stated here today that the state BJP has reached such a pitiable condition that it no longer has any serious or publicly acceptable issues left to raise against Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu or the State Government.
Naresh Chauhan said that Sh. Sukhu, as Chief Minister, has been diligently fulfilling his duties and making every possible effort to serve the people beyond expectations. In his entire political career, the Chief Minister has always worked with utmost integrity and dedication. He added that apart from being a Chief Minister, he is also a father and has family to take care of. "It is his responsibility towards his family to accompany his daughter abroad for her admission in higher education. Making irresponsible remarks on the Chief Minister for fulfilling his duties as a father is, therefore, a sad example of the opposition’s intellectual and moral decline," he stated.
The Principal Advisor (Media) added that the opposition was completely devoid of issues, and in this frustration, they appear eager to make objectionable remarks on the Chief Minister’s personal and private life.
Naresh Chauhan further said that under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, the State Government, in its short tenure of just two and a half years, has taken bold decisions and adopted policies with a firm resolve of 'Vyavastha Parivartan'. "These steps have paved the way for equitable development, self-reliance, resource generation, transparency, employment creation and financial strengthening," he said, adding that "these policies are not only scripting a new chapter of progress for Himachal Pradesh and its people but also serving as a guiding model for other states."
He said all citizens of the state were benefiting from these policies and were extending full support to the government in its resolve of 'Vyavastha Parivartan'. The overwhelming public support for the Chief Minister’s policies has flattered the opposition, and in this unease, they have stooped so low as to make inappropriate comments on his personal life.
The Principal Media Advisor said that the BJP completely failed in playing the role of constructive opposition. On the contrary, the opposition has reduced itself to acting like a troll army. He added that hiring paid trolls to make indecent remarks on the Chief Minister’s personal life neither benefits their party nor is acceptable in a civilized society.
He said today the BJP stands divided into five factions, each so entangled in internal conflict that they have lost touch with the common people. "If the opposition goes among the masses, they will realize that the state government’s schemes are bringing prosperity to people’s lives, which is why there is widespread affection and respect for the Chief Minister among the people," remarked the Principal Media Advisor.
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