SHIMLA-26^th October, 2025

CM appreciates PWD for bringing 100 offices on e-Office platform under digital governance drive

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has appreciated the Public Works Department for achieving a major milestone by bringing 100 offices on the e-Office platform, in line with the State Government’s digital governance reforms. He lauded the officers and employees of the department for their dedication and hard work in successfully implementing this digital transition within the stipulated timeline.

The Chief Minister said that file movement from the ENC to the Secretary, to the PWD Minister and up to his office is now entirely processed through e-Office. He said that internal communication throughout the department has also shifted to official emails, replacing physical correspondence which earlier caused delays. This digital transition has ensured faster disposal of work, complete transparency in file handling, real-time visibility of pending files at any level and easier monitoring and retrieval of official records. He said that while digitisation is generally easier at the top and more challenging at the field level, the PWD has successfully implemented e-Office up to the XEN level. It is the cutting-edge operational tier of the department. It marked a significant administrative reform in alignment with the government’s vision of accountable and technology-driven governance.

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that this digital transformation is a historic step towards making the department more transparent, efficient and accountable. He said that it was under the guidance of the Chief Minister that the department achieved the target of digitising the department within the given timeline.

Secretary (PWD) Dr. Abhishek Jain informed that a total of 100 offices have commenced functioning on e-Office. This includes one office at the level of Engineer-in-Chief, five Chief Engineer (Zone) offices, 19 Circle offices headed by Superintending Engineers and 58 Division offices headed by Executive Engineers. Under the Electrical Wing, two Circle offices and five Division offices have been brought on e-Office, while under the Mechanical Wing, two Circle offices and four Division offices are now digital. In addition, the Chief Architect Office at Shimla, the Architect Offices at Mandi and Dharamshala and one Horticulture Division are also operating on e-Office.

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FEATURE-Government drives notable progress in technical and vocational education in state

• Over 12,378 youth employed and 14,421 trained through MOOCs and SWAYAM platforms
• Rs. 5.92 crore invested in ITI infrastructure upgrades and green initiatives

State Government is driving unprecedented and measurable progress in the sphere of technical and vocational education in Himachal Pradesh. During the present tenure, more than 12,378 students have secured employment through job fairs, joint placement drives and campus recruitments, while over 14,421 students and 1,203 faculty members have undergone digital learning through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) platforms in the State so far. Technical and vocational institutions are no longer confined to merely awarding diplomas and degrees; instead, the entire system has been redesigned as a strategic engine for employment generation, industrial collaboration, innovation and future-ready skills under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The reforms introduced by the present government are well structured and future-oriented. The focus has shifted from tradition-based training to technology-integrated learning, strengthening institutional capacity, modernizing curricula, forging industry linkages and aligning training with emerging technologies. These interventions are now translating into measurable improvements in employability, entrepreneurship and the readiness of youth to compete in the global economy.

At present, a robust network of 348 technical education and industrial training institutions is operational across the State, consisting of engineering colleges, pharmacy colleges, polytechnics and ITIs in both government and private sectors. The establishment of the Government Pharmacy College at Sulah and the Government Polytechnic at Jandaur reflects the expansion of quality technical education into underserved regions. More significantly, the government has consciously prioritized futuristic programmes over conventional courses. Disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, M.Tech in Electric Vehicle Technology, Internet of Things, Mechatronics and 19 modern vocational trades in ITIs signify a decisive shift towards skill domains aligned with the digital and industrial economy.

Quality assurance has been ensured through national-level benchmarking. The accreditation of four undergraduate programmes of JLN Government Engineering College, Sundernagar by the National Board of Accreditation highlights the government’s commitment towards academic excellence. A futuristic leap has been taken by starting Drone Service Technician training in 11 government ITIs in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam, with 128 trainees already certified, placing Himachal among the select few States cultivating manpower for the emerging drone economy.

To strengthen industry-institute the department has signed more than 170 Memorandums of Understanding with industrial partners, creating a continuous pipeline for placements, internships and knowledge transfer. Apprenticeships under NATS and NAPS schemes are enabling students to earn while gaining real-time industrial exposure.

Modernization of physical infrastructure has been undertaken on a large scale. Under the ADB-funded Himachal Pradesh Skill Development Project, machinery and equipment of 50 ITIs, one Polytechnic and one Engineering College were upgraded at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 80.98 crore, benefitting nearly 5,880 students. Smart facilities such as video conferencing systems, computers, power-saving inverters, on-grid solar plants and solar street lights are being installed across multiple ITIs, creating a digital-ready and energy-efficient learning environment. Simultaneously, capacity building of teachers and students has been institutionalized through training at national centres and global online platforms.

The government has significantly upgraded infrastructure while promoting sustainability. Under the Central Sector Scheme, 36 ITIs received video conferencing systems at a cost of Rs.1.20 crore, 10 ITIs were equipped with 120 modern computers for IT and COPA labs at 89 lakh, 37 ITIs installed 10 KVA power-saving inverters at Rs. 1.66 crore, 3 ITIs set up 25 kW on-grid solar plants costing Rs. 36.75 lakh and 16 ITIs were fitted with 100 solar street lights (9 W) at Rs. 11.79 lakh, enhancing technical education while creating energy-efficient, green learning environments.

These reforms represent a conscious redesign of the technical education landscape in the state from institutions that merely impart training to institutions that generate skills, enable employment, nurture innovation and power the economy. With futuristic courses, strengthened infrastructure, industrial integration and strong placement outcomes, the present government has laid a strong foundation to make Himachal Pradesh a model State in technical and vocational education, capable of empowering its youth for the decade ahead.

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सोलन- दिनांक 26.10.2025

मुख्यमंत्री 28 अक्तूबर को सोलन ज़िला के प्रवास पर

मुख्यमंत्री सुखविंद्र सिंह सुक्खू 28 अक्तूबर, 2025 को सोलन विधानसभा क्षेत्र के प्रवास पर आ रहे हैं।
सुखविंद्र सिंह सुक्खू 28 अक्तूबर, 2025 को दोपहर 12.15 बजे औद्योगिक प्रशिक्षण संस्थान सायरी के नवनिर्मित भवन का लोकार्पण करेंगे।
मुख्यमंत्री तदोपरांत दोपहर 12.45 बजे मिनी स्टेडियम ममलीग में प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य केन्द्र बशील तथा वन विश्राम गृह सायरी घाट का लोकार्पण करेंगे।
सुखविंद्र सिंह सुक्खू तत्पश्चात मिनी स्टेडियम ममलीग में ही राजीव गांधी डे बोर्डिंग स्कूल ममलीग की आधारशिला रखेंगे।
मुख्यमंत्री तदोपरांत ममलीग के मिनी स्टेडियम में एक जनसभा को सम्बोधित भी करेंगे।

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