State government to engage over 1000 volunteers to combat drugs menace

The Himachal Pradesh Government is set to launch the Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme (ACVS) as part of its ongoing campaign against substance abuse. Acting upon the announcement made by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the Independence Day function at Sarkaghat in District Mandi, the Police Headquarters has forwarded a detailed proposal to the Government for its implementation.

Under this scheme, more than 1,000 Anti-Chitta Volunteers will be engaged across the State to foster a structured partnership between the police, public and other stakeholders, thereby creating a strong community-based framework to supplement police efforts in tackling the drug menace. The volunteers will play an active role in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of Chitta and other narcotics, reporting suspicious activities, hotspots and offenders to the police through confidential channels, and participating in awareness activities in schools, colleges and communities. They will also support anti-drug campaigns such as rallies, street plays, awareness drives and social media messaging, while linking affected individuals and families with counseling and rehabilitation centres. In lieu of their services, the volunteers registered under this scheme will be paid with the honorarium.

An official spokesperson said, “The State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has prioritized the fight against drug abuse over the last two and a half years. Several initiatives have already been implemented, and the new scheme is expected to further strengthen efforts by enhancing ground-level intelligence for effective police operations, raising awareness among youth and communities, improving rehabilitation linkages for affected persons, and fostering stronger public-police partnerships—all aimed at achieving the vision of a drug-free Himachal Pradesh.”

For their safety, the volunteers will not be engaged in field identification, and the police will ensure strict confidentiality of their identity, besides providing protection in sensitive cases. To prepare them for their responsibilities, a two-day structured training programme will be conducted, covering the basics of the NDPS Act, police procedures and methods of community engagement.

The Chief Minister said, “Since assuming office, we have declared a war against substance abuse and implemented numerous initiatives. Unlike the previous BJP government, we have enforced the PIT-NDPS Act, seized drug mafia properties worth over Rs. 42 crore, and made drug testing for chitta mandatory in police recruitment. Our government is committed to protecting the youth from the menace of chitta and has taken concrete steps over the last two and a half years to achieve this goal.”

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SHIMLA -25 September, 2025

Kewal Singh Pathania calls on NHPC Chairman at New Delhi

Deputy Chief Whip and MLA Kewal Singh Pathania called on Chairman, NHPC Bhupender Gupta at New Delhi today.

He congratulated Bhupender Gupta on assuming the charge of Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NHPC and SJVNL. He said that it was a matter of pride for the state that a person from Himachal Pradesh is heading these two prestigious organisations at the national level.

Kewal Singh Pathania apprised that the state incurred heavy losses during the monsoons which impacted the state and its people severely. He said that state government was making best efforts to restore normalcy.

He urged the Chairman to support the state government in relief and restoration operations in the areas where projects are being executed by NHPC and SJVNL in the state.

Sh. Gupta assured of all the possible support to the State Government.

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All PWD rest and circuit houses to have monthly quality certifications

Following the approval of the state government a check list has been prepared for maintenance certification of the government circuit houses and the PWD Rest houses all over the State.
In the first of its kind initiative with an objective of numerical ranking, the State government has taken a decision to meticulously monitor and inspect the upkeep and maintenance activities of PWD rest and circuit houses 12 times in a year i.e. once in a month, stated Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. "We are committed to provide best of the services to all alike and has decided to throw open the rest houses to the officers/officials, common masses and tourists as well" he remarked.
Nowhere in any other State such an initiative has been taken where the rest and circuit houses will be monitored annually month wise. This will also be extended to other departments rest houses in a phased manner, said the Chief Minister.
Stating this here today, Secretary, PWD Abhishek Jain said that the department under the guidance of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh has prepared a detailed check list of all rest houses and their maintenance to provide better guest experiences and facilities in the PWD rest houses.
This encompasses the inspection of floors, electrical systems, elevators, maintenance of gardens, parking areas to check any unauthorized parking, lightening system and much more. Any system that has the potential to wear down or need replacing over time should ideally be included in regular maintenance responsibilities.
An officer of the rank of Junior Engineer and SDO (PWD) will monthly conduct inspections of the rest houses and the circuit houses to check the structural items which include roofs, walls, ceilings, leakages/seepages and conditions of fire extinguishers etc. At present there are 275 PWD rest houses having 1335 rooms and 21 circuit houses of PWD with 222 rooms in the State.
Besides, they will also do grading from very good to poor of the quality and condition of electrical appliances, availability of water, sewerage system and water purifiers etc. The report will be scrutinized by the Executive Engineer of the concerned section and load it online for further analysis by the higher authorities.
Apart from all this, the quality of furniture, the quality and quantity and quality of facilities as cleanliness and hygiene in kitchen, wash rooms and other essential items in wash rooms, beds, quilts, pillows etc will be inspected monthly.
As many as 50 agendas have been incorporated in format prepared for the inspection which will be available with all inspecting officer and also available on the website of the Public works department viz: http://hppwd.hp.gov.in
"It becomes the responsibility of the department to cater all the facilities to the visitors when the boarding and lodging rates have been enhanced equally for all category of visitors whether official or non-official", said the Secretary.
As the online reservation system is already been in practice, the rest houses and the circuit houses will be open to all type of visitors and for this signage's have been ordered to erected at every rest and circuit houses besides mentioning the distance and directions of different places, he stated.
These measures will not only ensure increased footfall, but will also the build credibility, he remarked further adding that the rest or circuit house having best grading of cleanliness and maintenance will be awarded on quarterly basis which also includes the behaviour of the Staff.

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Rs 1500 crore relief yet to reach Himachal: Jagat Singh Negi

Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi while addressing the media person here today said that though the Centre has announced a relief package of Rs.1500 crore for Himachal Pradesh, the State Government has not received even a single rupee so far. Taking a jibe, he asked whether the amount was being sent by 'road, train, or bullock cart'.

Negi said the State suffered losses of over Rs.5000 crore during this monsoon season, including damage to roads, agriculture and horticulture land and public and private property as well. Between June 20 and September 19 a total of 427 lives were lost, 651 pucca houses and 1012 kutcha houses were completely damaged, while thousands of other structures including shops, cowsheds and water mills were affected.

He said that Himachal provides the highest compensation in the country for disaster-hit families making amendments in relief manual. The present government is providing Rs.7 lakh for reconstruction of a fully damaged house as compared to just Rs.1.30 lakh by the Centre. Apart from this, assistance is being given for partial damage houses, shops, cowsheds, livestock, crops, orchards and household goods. So far, more than Rs.270 crore has been disbursed from SDRF, NDRF and the CM Relief Fund.

The Minister said that under MIS, 67,000 MT of apples have been procured and over 2.25 crore apple boxes have already reached the market this season. He reaffirmed that the State Government introduced the Universal Carton system in the interest of apple growers, and urged farmers not to fall prey to the BJP’s misleading propaganda.

Negi accused BJP leaders of indulging in politics even during disasters. Despite financial constraints, the State Government is committed to extend maximum help to the affected families, Negi added.