SHIMLA-22 July, 2026

'Khelo Himachal-Chitta Mukt Abhiyan' to be launched to create awareness against Chitta -CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a meeting of 'Khelo Himachal-Chitta Mukt Abhiyan' here on Tuesday evening. It is a flagship initiative aimed at combating drug abuse through sports and youth engagement across the State. He reviewed the strategy and roadmap for the campaign, which seeks to channelize the energy of the youth towards constructive and healthy activities while creating a strong social movement against the menace of 'Chitta'.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the growing challenge of 'Chitta' and other narcotic substances and said that drug addiction was not only destroying the lives of youth but also adversely affecting the families and society as a whole. The state government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to eradicate drug abuse by combining strict enforcement against drug networks with preventive and rehabilitative measures.

Sh. Suhku said that sports could serve as a powerful tool for social transformation by instilling discipline, teamwork, confidence and a spirit of healthy competition among young people. He emphasized that the 'Khelo Himachal-Chitta Mukt Abhiyan' would encourage youth participation in sports activities at the grass-root level and provide a positive alternative to substance abuse.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to create awareness among the youth against 'Chitta' across all 3,758 gram panchayats, eight municipal corporations, 29 municipal councils and 39 Nagar Panchayats of the state, with special focus on the 235 highly affected gram panchayats identified for intensive intervention. Various sports competitions, awareness programmes, community outreach activities and youth engagement initiatives would be organized to create widespread awareness about the harmful effects of drugs.

He said that sports competitions would be organized at sub-divisional, district and state levels and for proper conduct, monitoring and supervision of tournaments at these levels, technical committee would be deployed comprising of referees from sports associations, youth services and sports, education and police departments. He said that Rs. 11.56 crore would be allocated for organizing these competitions and prize money would be given to winner and runner up teams.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government was committed to building a healthy, disciplined and empowered generation capable of leading Himachal towards a brighter future. He said that early intervention, awareness and active community participation were essential to preventing addiction before it takes root among young people.

The Chief Minister said that the vision of a 'Nasha-Mukt Himachal' could be realized only through collective efforts involving government agencies, educational institutions, sports organizations, local bodies, panchayati raj institutions and civil society. He called upon all stakeholders to actively support the campaign and ensure its success at the grassroots level.

Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Priyanka Basu Ingty, Director Shivam Pratap Singh and Special Secretary Naveen Tanwar and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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New courses to be introduced in HPU, students and teachers to undertake exposure visits: CM

• CM announces Rs. 5 crore for launch of B.Tech. AI course
• Extends greetings on 57^th Foundation Day of HPU

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a programme organised on the occasion of the 57^th Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla said that new age courses would be introduced in the University in line with future requirements. He said that the state government would facilitate exposure visits abroad for teachers as well as students and adequate funds would be made available for this purpose.

Extending his greetings on the Foundation Day of the Himachal Pradesh University, the Chief Minister said that this University would be designated as the nodal agency for green hydrogen in the coming times. He said that HPU would have to align itself with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and data storage and added that the state government was making continuous efforts to promote these sectors. He announced a grant of Rs. 5 crore for starting a B. Tech. course in artificial intelligence in the University.

The Chief Minister said that he had spent eight years of his life in Himachal Pradesh University and also begun his political journey from this institute. 'This University has given me the opportunity to learn many things. I have risen to the position of the Chief Minister after studying here, while Professor Mahavir Singh, the Vice-Chancellor, is also associated with the same institution. Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has also been a student of this University. Today, the entire country is taking note of the achievements of Himachal Pradesh University and its alumni are serving at important positions in various fields across the country and the state,' he said.

Sh. Sukhu said that when the Congress government assumed office, the state was facing a serious financial crisis. Despite these challenges, the state government had undertaken comprehensive reforms in the education sector. According to a Central government survey conducted in 2021, Himachal Pradesh ranked 21^st in the field of education, whereas the state had now improved its position to fifth in terms of quality education due to the efforts of the present state government.

He said that the present government had taken the decision to close around 500 educational institutions opened by the previous BJP government for political considerations and had instead focused on improving the quality of education. The state government had introduced initiatives such as English-medium from 1^st Class, Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools and exposure tours to the students and teachers. He said that more than 150 new CBSE schools had been opened in the state and positive results were emerging from these initiatives. While students had earlier been shifting from government schools to private schools, the enrolment in government schools had now increased by more than 24,000, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said that reforms were also required in the higher education sector and Universities should introduce new and employment-oriented courses. He added that teachers and students of Himachal Pradesh University would also be sent on exposure visits.

The Chief Minister said that the present state government was working towards improving the health sector along with education. People from Himachal Pradesh spend around Rs 1,000 crore annually on their medical treatment outside the state and to address this situation, old machinery and technology in government health institutions were being replaced and efforts were afoot to provide modern medical facilities at par with AIIMS, Delhi.

He said that robotic surgery facilities had been introduced in four medical colleges, which cost around Rs 1.25 lakh per procedure, and the state government was providing a subsidy of Rs. 80,000. He further said that Rs. 125 crore had been allocated for establishing five automated laboratories in the state, which would be ready by December. These initiatives would help in making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant and modern in the health sector, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said that the construction of Himachal Bhawan in Delhi would be completed in approximately one month. The facility would provide affordable accommodation to the students and other people from the state visiting Delhi.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones of modern digital library in the University to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 10.25 crore and Administrative Block of University Institute of Legal Studies to be built with an outlay of Rs. 6.09 crore. He said that the digital library would provide students access to modern e-resources and research material, while the institute of legal studies would help in promoting quality legal education in the State. He expressed hope that the new facilities would further enhance the academic standards of HPU.

Vice-Chancellor Himachal Pradesh University, Professor Mahavir Singh said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had contributed significantly to the development of the University and had continuously encouraged it to adopt modern technologies. He said that, in line with the Chief Minister’s vision, five new centres were being established in the University and all departments would be linked with these centres. He added that, on the directions of the Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh University had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with prestigious institutions such as IIT Roorkee.

MLA Harish Janartha, Vice-Chairman of HP State Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Chairman Kailash Federation Baldev Thakur, alumni Dr. Vijay Kumar Stokes, Dr. Raj Bahadur, DC Anupam Kashyap and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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BJP Govt.could have made Himachal a debt-free state: Chief Minister

· CM addresses Congress Seva Dal Karykarta Sammelan

· Government committed to strong action against corruption: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has accused the previous BJP government of pushing Himachal Pradesh into a financial crisis while addressing the Congress Seva Dal Karykarta Sammelan at the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, here today.

The Chief Minister said that if the BJP government had wanted, it could have made Himachal a debt-free state. He said that the previous government received nearly Rs. 60,000 crore through GST compensation and Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). If even Rs. 48,000 crore of this amount had been used to repay the state's debt, Himachal could have become debt-free but the BJP government instead used these funds for political gains.

Sh. Sukhu said the present Congress government has received only around Rs. 17,000 crore, nearly three times less than the previous government. Despite this, the state government is continuously working to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state.

He said the former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur made no serious efforts to make Himachal financially self-reliant and the Central Government was also denying the state's statutory rights by stopping the RDG.

Despite financial challenges, the present state government introduced several important reforms in the education and healthcare sectors. He said that during the BJP government, Himachal slipped to 21st position in the country in quality education, but now has moved to 5th position after the reforms taken by the Congress government.

The Chief Minister said the state government is continuously improving medical services. No other government hospital in North India currently offers robotic surgery facilities, while Himachal has already taken lead in this direction.

Sh. Sukhu said that that irregularity took place under the Himcare Scheme, including bills being generated for hysterectomy surgeries in male patients due to corruption during BJP government tenure. This scam involved nearly Rs. 1,000 crore. The present Congress government is committed to take strict action against corruption and no allegations have been made against his government during the last three and a half years.

The Chief Minister further said that during the previous government, around 5,000 bighas of land was reportedly allotted to industrialists in the Baddi area for just rupees one crore, without charging any registration fee.

Referring to the Agniveer Scheme, Sh. Sukhu said the Central Government has ignored the interests of young people, while the Himachal Government was making continuous efforts to provide employment opportunities. He said recruitment had been completed for 1,000 posts of constables in the Police department and 800 more posts would be filled in the near future.

On the NEET examination issue, the Chief Minister said the paper leak was a betrayal of students and youth trust. The Central Government should ensure accountability and those responsible must resign. He also alleged that students protesting at Jantar Mantar were lathi-charged and that Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was forcibly detained by the police. He also condemned the alleged mistreatment of Priyanka Gandhi.

Sh. Sukhu appealed to Congress workers to take the state government's policies and welfare programmes to every household so that more people can benefit from them.

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar said that the Congress Seva Dal has a proud history of 103 years. The state government is giving due respect to party leaders and workers, sending a positive message across the organization. He said that continuous efforts are being made to further strengthen the Congress Seva Dal.

Vinay Kumar also condemned the mistreatment of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and announced that the Congress would organise protests across the state on the issue. He said party workers must remain united to strengthen the Congress government in the state.

MLA Sudarshan Babloo, HPSIDC Chairman and Congress Seva Dal Chief Anurag Sharma, Congress General Secretary Vinod Jinta, Congress Seva Dal Himachal Pradesh In-charge Jyoti Khanna and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

CM congratulates HPSCB on successful migration to 'Finacle 10.2.25' software platform

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has congratulated the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (HPSCB), Devinder Shyam, the Board of Directors, the bank's management, officers and staff on the successful migration of the bank's entire core banking system to the world-class 'Finacle 10.2.25' software platform.

He said that this achievement would help the bank provide faster, more transparent and customer-friendly banking services to people.

The Chief Minister said that the HPSCB was one of the state's leading financial institutions and plays an important role in delivering the benefits of government welfare schemes to the people. He said that with this modern and advanced banking platform, the bank would be able to provide faster, more transparent and secure financial services through its network of 262 branches across the six districts where it operates.

He said that the new system would also enable the bank's officers and employees to work with greater efficiency, dedication and commitment.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government was committed to providing better, high-quality and transparent public services. He said that the bank's adoption of the Finacle 10.2.25 platform was a significant step towards strengthening good governance and ensuring that the benefits of government initiatives reach people more effectively.

He said that the new software platform would offer customers faster transactions, stronger cyber security and a simpler, more convenient digital banking experience.

The Chief Minister said that the HPSCB was the people's own bank and enjoys a strong emotional connection with the residents of the state. He appealed to people to make greater use of the bank's modern and reliable banking services and contribute to strengthening the cooperative movement and the state's economic growth, particularly by supporting the rural economy.

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CM takes feedback from DC Kangra and affected families on cloudburst

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu spoke telephonically from Shimla today with Deputy Commissioner Kangra Hemraj Bairwa and the affected families of cloudburst to take feedback regarding the cloudburst incident that occurred in the Boh valley of Kangra district following heavy rainfall. The Deputy Commissioner had reached the incident site and was supervising the rescue and rehabilitation operations.

The Chief Minister sought information about the extent of damage caused by the cloudburst, the safety of local residents, restoration of essential services and the measures being undertaken by the district administration to tackle the situation. He also reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations and directed the district administration to ensure prompt assistance to all affected families.

Sh. Sukhu said that he would soon visit the cloudburst site to personally assess the damages. He said that the state government would provide all possible assistance to those whose houses were damaged in the cloudburst. He asked affected families to remain vigilant keeping in view the forecast of heavy rainfall in coming days.

The Deputy Commissioner informed the Chief Minister about the prevailing situation in the affected area and apprised him of the steps being taken by the administration to assist the families.