SHIMLA-13 November, 2026

No leniency for chitta traffickers,government committed to protecting Youth: Chief Minister

• CM leads anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Mandi
• Properties worth Rs. 92 crore acquired through drug trafficking seized

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today led the anti-chitta awareness walkathon in Mandi and appealed to the people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the youth, to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse and help make the State drug-free.

The walkathon started from Paddal Ground, proceeded towards the Bus Stand and Seri Manch, and returned to Paddal Ground. A large number of students and local residents from across the district participated enthusiastically. On the occasion, the Chief Minister administered the Anti-chitta pledge to the participants and urged them to remain alert and contribute actively to the campaign against drug abuse.

Addressing a public gathering at Paddal Ground, the Chief Minister said that the state government was taking strict and continuous action against the drug trade. He stressed that the problem could not be tackled through government and police action alone and required the active support and cooperation of every section of society. ‘I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in Himachal Pradesh for those who sell chitta and destroy the lives of our youth for money,’ he said. He added that the government had adopted a firm policy against those involved in the illegal drug trade and that strict legal action was being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers.

The Chief Minister said that during the present government's tenure, 22 properties constructed on government land had been vacated and demolished. In addition, assets worth Rs. 92 crore, allegedly acquired through illegal drug activities, had been seized so far. He said that the police were continuously taking action against chitta networks and drug traffickers within the framework of the law. The government had also taken the campaign beyond enforcement measures and was working to turn it into a people's movement.

Seeking collective support, the Chief Minister said that the fight against drugs required the participation of every mother, father, teacher, panchayat, Mahila Mandal, Yuva Mandal and above all the youth of the state. He urged support of every section of society in this fight. Today, ‘I am entrusting this responsibility to the youth of the State,’ he said.

He urged people not to remain silent if they witnessed the sale of chitta or any other drug-related activity. Instead, they should share credible information with the authorities through the emergency toll-free number 112. He said that the state government had made provisions to reward individuals who provide accurate and reliable information about drug traffickers.

Reiterating the Government's commitment to safeguarding the future of the youth, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh would not allow itself to be defeated by the threat of chitta.

Recalling the journey of the anti-chitta campaign, he said it had been launched nearly a year ago with the aim of bringing society together against drug abuse. On 5 November 2025, thousands of people had taken to the streets of Shimla to raise their voices against drugs. The campaign subsequently received strong public support in Dharamshala on 1^st December in Hamirpur on 16^th December and in Una on 16^th September, 2026. On 26^th December last year, thousands of people in Bilaspur had also participated in a walkathon, demonstrating their collective resolve against chitta.

The Chief Minister said that, a year after the launch of the campaign, the same spirit of commitment and unity was clearly visible in Mandi. Appreciating the enthusiasm of the participants, he particularly praised the students who had travelled from remote areas of the district to make the event a success.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the District Library building in Mandi, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.55 crore.

MLAs Anil Sharma, Chander Shekhar and Suresh Kumar, former Ministers Thakur Kaul Singh, Rangila Ram Rao, and Prakash Chaudhary, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur, Chairman of SC/ST Corporation Lal Singh Kaushal, Member Regulatory Commission Vijay Pal,Vice-Chairman of the Jal Prabandhan Board Shashi Sharma, Chairman SC Cell Congress Naresh Chauhan, District Congress President Champa Thakur, PCC Vice-President Jeevan Thakur, General Secretary Pawan Thakur, Dharamvir Dhami, Deepak Sharma Saraj Block Congress Committee President Jagdish Reddy, DGP Ashok Tiwari and Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

=============

SHIMLA-13 November, 2026

H.P. Cabinet Decisions

The State Cabinet, in its meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu decided to launch the ‘Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna’ in the State, under which eligible women in the age group of 18 to 59 years will receive financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 per month. The scheme will also provide 300 units of free electricity to eligible beneficiary families. A total of 3.50 lakh eligible women have been identified under the scheme. The Government had already enhanced the financial assistance from Rs. 1050 to Rs. 1500 per month to women above the age of 59 years.

It also decided to adopt a uniform state policy for determining and periodically revising the rates for the sale of surplus raw water to neighbouring States, government agencies and industries. Under the policy, an initial benchmark rate of Rs. 100 per 1,000 cubic feet will be applicable to all existing and future projects of the State, including inter-State water projects. The rates will be revised periodically in accordance with the prescribed mechanism linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

The Cabinet also decided to launch the ‘Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026’ across all 12 districts of the State. The initiative aims to engage youth in sports activities and strengthen efforts towards drug prevention by promoting a healthy lifestyle, discipline and positive community participation.

It approved amendments to the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021, providing for free power royalty at the rate of 50 percent for the first ten years after completion of 40 years of operation of commissioned projects of Central Public Sector Undertakings. The projects will be transferred to the State Government free of cost upon completion of 50 years from the date of their commissioning.

It approved the cancellation the allotment of 222 Solar Power Projects in view of prolonged non implementation of projects.

It also gave its nod to cancel the allotment of 13 hydro electric projects above 25 MW for non compliance of provisions of the policy and to re-bid 20 projects.

The Cabinet also approved an increase in the subsidy for the purchase of diesel buses from 30 percent to 40 percent under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojna, 2023, for operating passenger buses on identified intra-sub-division routes.

It further decided to provide a 50 percent subsidy on the purchase of electric buses and a 40 percent subsidy on diesel buses with a seating capacity of more than 10 passengers for operating on the Hamirpur Bus Stand–Dr. Radhakrishnan Medical College, Jolsapper, and New OPD, IGMC Shimla–Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality, Chamiyana routes.

The Cabinet gave its nod to enhance minimum support price of naturally grown ginger from Rs.30 to Rs. 40 per kg.

It gave its nod to engage 1000 Rogi Mitras in the Health Department to provide affordable and quality health services to citizens of the State.

It gave its approval to create and fill up 561 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) in various government medical colleges and dental colleges and Directorate of Medical Education in the State to effectively implement hospital management information system.

It also decided to engage Data Entry Operators in the Health Department for implementing hospital management information system.

It decided to increase the emoluments of outsourced Perfusionist in the Government Medical Colleges from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 45000 per month.

It decided to create Department Geriatric Medicine alongwith creation and filling up of posts and Senior Resident posts at lndira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda and Shri Lal Bahadur Shashtri Government Medical College Nerchowk, Mandi.

It decided create and fill up requisite posts of various categories for the Mother and Child Hospital Wing at Civil Hospital Nurpur in Kangra district for its smooth functioning.

It decided to create and fill up eight posts of Assistant Professor and one post of Associate Professor of various departments in Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.

The Cabinet decided to grant one time relaxation in Rule -11 of Himachal Pradesh Police Department (Recruitment of Constables) Rules, 2024 for conducting written examination in offline mode instead of online for the posts of constable.

It also decided to fill up 20 posts of JOA (lT) in Rural Development Department.

It decided to create and fill up 15 posts of Stenographer, Grade-III in various Courts of the State.

The Cabinet decided to upgrade Police Post Baroh in Kangra district to Police Station along with creation and filling up of requisite posts.

It gave its nod to open Police Post for Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur.

It decided to create and fill up four posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) and one post of Multi Task Worker in Treasuries, Accounts and Lotteries Department.

It decided to fill up three posts of different categories from Persons with Disabilities under 4 percent quota in Youth Services and Sports Department.

It gave its approval to enhance the procurement of C-grade apple from Rs. 12 per kg to Rs. 13 per kg under Market Intervention Scheme.

It also decided to fill up requisite posts in newly upgraded Civil Hospital Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district and PHC to Civil Hospital Kotkhai in Shimla District.

The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Registration Sewa Kendra Project to modernise existing Sub-Registrar Offices on the lines of Passport Seva Kendras. The project will be launched in the first phase in Solan, Shimla, Kangra and Sirmaur districts.

It decided to lease 2.26 hectares of land for the Central School at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district.

It also approved upgrading the District-level Phul Yatra Mela, Pangi, in Chamba district to the status of a State-level fair.

It decided to create the office of Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) at Dadasiba in Kangra district along with creation and filing up of various posts of different categories.