Page 11 - Himachal Pradesh Government

Govt offices in Himachal to go paperless, CM Sukhu instructs IT dept

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Monday directed the IT department officials to complete all the formalities for e-office implementation in the government offices in the state in a timely manner. "The state government's vision is to create a digitally advanced state with secure, accessible, digital infrastructure for effective governance," he said. The chief minister added that plans were underway to incorporate technology in various sectors and the IT department should take a lead in building a robust digital infrastructure across the state. All the branches of the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, Directorates, Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices, Superintendent of Police (SP) offices and field offices are expected to go paperless from July 1, according to an official statement. The state has 109 branches of the secretariat, 70 directorates, 12 deputy commissioner offices and 14 SP offices, all of which will become paperless under the e-office system, it said. The

Himachal govt hosts civic reception in honour of President Murmu

The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday hosted a civic reception and dinner at the Raj Bhavan here in honour of President Droupadi Murmu who is on a four-day visit to the state. The President planted a sapling of rhododendron in the Raj Bhavan premises. In his welcome address, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the President's life has been inspirational and her efforts in social welfare and education sectors are exceptional, especially in promoting innovation. He said Himachal Pradesh's journey since 1948 has been a great example of inclusive development and social upliftment. Every region of the state has a tale to tell, the tale of its valour, its culture and traditions and its mesmerising natural beauty, Shukla added. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu greeted the Murmu on her maiden visit to the state. He said she was an inspiration for all as she has been consistently working for the upliftment of the backward and weaker sections of society. Sukhu thanked the President

Three years into pandemic, Himachal sees 14% decline in suicide cases

The spurt in number of suicides witnessed in the immediate wake of the COVID pandemic due to job loss, poor health, and uncertainty about future, has relented a little, declining by 14 per cent from 889 in 2021 to 758 in 2022. A total of 2,502 persons committed suicide in the past three years between 2020 and 2022 with a majority of them men at 1,710 and the rest 792 women. As per the data procured from the police department, 709 persons committed suicide in 2019 with the number rising to 855 and 889 in 2020 and 2021 respectively during the peak COVID 19 pandemic. According to police, the maximum number of people who committed suicide were labourers (28 per cent) followed by housewives (24 per cent), students (11 per cent), private employees (10 per cent), businessmen and government employees (4 per cent each), farmers (three per cent), and others (16 per cent). The suicide cases were attributed to marriage related issue, financial issues, drug addiction, sickness, unemployment, ..

Himachal Pradesh launches project Sanjeevani to empower dairy farmers

Himachal Pradesh's economy is largely banking on agriculture and animal husbandry. With a livestock population of about 4.41 million, their care is an essential part of every rural household

Politics and governance in Himachal Pradesh

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is on a roll, but complacency could lead to trouble because governance alone is not the key to a successful tenure - politics is, as well

Himachal govt proposes to impose Rs 10 milk cess on liquor bottles

The Himachal Pradesh government in the budget for 2023-24 has proposed to impose a Rs 10 milk cess on liquor bottles sold in the state, which is expected to fetch Rs 100 crore every year to the state exchequer. Recently, the state government has decided to purchase cow and buffalo milk to increase the income of milk producers. Announcing the imposition of Rs 10 per cess on liquor bottles in the budget for 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the income generated would be used to increase the income of milk producers through higher milk production. The chief minister also announced the launch of the "Him-Ganga" scheme to develop a milk-based economy in the state. Under the scheme, cattle rearers will be provided true cost-based milk prices and qualitative improvement will be brought into the system of milk procurement, processing and marketing. The state government will ensure that milk producers, especially the poorer sections, are protected from ...

Women have played important role in nation building: HP Dy CM Agnihotri

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Wednesday said women have always played a significant role in society and nation building. He said the International Women's Day is an opportunity to go beyond empowering women and honour the talent hidden in them. He said Himachal Pradesh is the land of God and our society has a tradition of giving respect to women. He said there has been a significant contribution of women in society and nation building. He was presiding over a district level programme organized at Lata Mangeshkar Kala Kendra here on the occasion of International Women's Day. He said lift, cameras, ropeway and escalator will be installed in all the temple premises across the state.

Attention must be paid to road conditions in border areas with China: HP CM

The road conditions in the border areas with China are not in good condition, and attention should be paid to it, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said after his meeting with Rajnath Singh

Determined to provide an investment-friendly environment in HP: CM Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said that the industries play an important contribution in building an advanced Himachal Pradesh

World-class cancer hospital to be constructed in Hamirpur: Himachal CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said a world-class cancer hospital will be set up at Jol Sapper village here, close to the Hamirpur Medical College which is under construction. The chief minister said facilities like robotic surgery will be introduced in the medical college to facilitate the patients. Jol Sapper falls under the Nadaun assembly seat which is represented by Sukhu in the state assembly. Sukhu said that eighteen Rajiv Gandhi day-boarding schools will also be constructed in the state in the next financial year for which land has already been identified, according to an official release. He said the state government has planned to build these schools in each assembly constituency in a phased manner. The schools will be built on more than 100 kanal of land and will provide modern facilities and quality education to the students, he said. Sukhu on Sunday announced that a 100-bed hospital will be built in Sujanpur and said that two denotified institutions

Industries minister inaugurates Himachal Pavilion at Pharma Live Expo

The state government participated in the country's largest pharma expo to showcase the pharma ecosystem and invite potential medical devices players for investments

Himachal to collaborate with ISB for policy inputs in bio-energy sector: CM

The Himachal Govt is all set to partner with the Indian School of Business (ISB) to provide policy inputs and research support for the emerging bio-energy sector, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said

Himachal to start bio-energy production from pine needles, bamboo: CM

Himachal Pradesh will start a pilot project for bio-energy production from pine needles and bamboo as the state is blessed with an enormous wealth of coniferous forest and has a high potential for bamboo production, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. The project would involve the local community and increase their income. The state government is all set to partner with the Indian School of Business (ISB) to provide policy inputs and research support for the emerging bio-energy sector, he said in a statement issued here on Saturday. "Many sectors like thermal power, cement and steel were exploring fossil fuel substitutes to reduce emissions. The scope can be expanded to include fuel briquettes made from pine needles as potential substitutes, which has the advantage of much higher calorific value and this would also pave the way for strengthening the rural economy," said Sukhu. ISB would provide the business model and technology to make this project a success and would also .

Bus carrying DU students overturns in Himachal, one dead, 40 injured

A private bus carrying a group of Delhi University students on a trip to Manali overturned here on Friday, leaving a young woman dead and 40 others injured, officials said. There were 44 people in the bus, including 35 women students from Kamala Nehru College and six coordinators for the group, SDM Bilaspur, Abhishek Kumar Garg said. The accident took place on Chandigarh-Manali road. One student, hailing from Jaipur, was crushed to death while four others suffered fractures and rest minor injuries, the officials said. Passersby pulled out the injured from the bus and rushed them to the Bilaspur Regional Hospital. One passenger was referred to PGI Chandigarh and two to AIIMS Bilaspur. Police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of the bus. The driver and the conductor fled the spot after the accident, Garg added.

Himachal CM launches UPI e-services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and 'Swadhan-e-pension-Gov' services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank. He said that the introduction of these services would benefit thousands of account holders of the bank. The introduction of UPI service would make the bank transactions easier and quicker, especially for the elderly and those living in the remote areas. Sukhu lauded the efforts of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank for the initiative and assured them of all possible help from the State Government. The Chief Minister also released the annual calendar of the Bank on the occasion.

Himachal Cabinet brings HPPSC under law preventing exam malpractices

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday decided to bring the state's public service commission within the ambit of a law enacted to prevent malpractices at university, board and other examinations, according to a release. The decision to bring the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission under the Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board or Other Specified Examinations Act, 1984, aims to ensure fair and transparent selection of candidates. On February 21, the government dissolved the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission after the paper for the Junior Office Assistant (IT) was leaked and transferred all ongoing recruitment to the public service commission. It was decided at the meet to fill nine posts of the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services on a regular basis through the public service commission. The Cabinet also approved the creation of 45 posts of different categories for Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres in all 11 civil and sessions

Himachal Pradesh approves 34 industrial projects of Rs 1,754 cr investment

Himachal Pradesh's Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority approved 34 projects for setting up new industrial enterprises and the expansion of existing units in its 26th meeting held on February 28, an official release said on Wednesday. These projects involve a total proposed investment of Rs 1,754.44 crores (approximately) with employment avenues for about 3,635 persons. The meeting, held late on Tuesday, was chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the release said. The new proposals have been approved for manufacturing frozen snacks, bathroom fittings and accessories, LPG cylinder refilling, Bulletproof Ballistic Helmets and Jacket, bottles, containers and other items. The projects approved in the pharma sector included projects for manufacturing of dry syrups, tablet, capsule, ointment, dry and liquid injections, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye and ear drops and pre-filled syringes.

Plantation on degraded land to be taken up on large scale: Himachal CM

The Himachal Pradesh government has started an initiative to restore degraded forest landscapes for which the forest department has identified more than 256 hectares of barren forest land in all 12 districts, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday. He was presiding over the first meeting of the governing body of the Himachal Pradesh State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (HP CAMPA). "Instead of raising plantations in a sporadic manner, it should be done in a planned manner on the barren hills and other large open patches in a phased manner in the entire state," he said in the meeting. Sukhu said the plantation should be done keeping in mind the suitable climatic conditions. The forest department has identified such areas in all the 12 districts of the state covering more than 256 hectares of barren forest land along with a five-year maintenance period with a proposed outlay of around Rs. 8.83 crores, he said. A dedicated staff would

Former Union minister Shiv Pratap Shukla takes oath as Himachal Governor

Former Union Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday took oath as the 29th Governor of Himachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan here. Shukla was administered the oath of office and secrecy by acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice Sabina. He took oath in Sanskrit. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was also present at the swearing-in ceremony. Himachal Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena read out the warrant of appointment. Before taking oath, Shukla performed 'yajana' along with family members. Later, interacting with the media, the governor said that it was a high constitutional post and he would work in coordination with the state government. Expressing gratitude to the President of India for his appointment, the governor said that he would work in accordance with the Constitution and complete the work started by previous governors. He also said Himachal Pradesh is a leading state in field of education and now he would contribute towards quality .

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approves scheme for orphans, destitute women

The orphan children, referred to as 'Children of the State', will be adopted by the government