Page 20 - Himachal Pradesh

Six Congress MLAs disqualified by Himachal Pradesh's Assembly speaker

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Thursday disqualified six Congress MLAs who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls for the lone seat in the state. They had also abstained from voting on the Budget in the assembly, defying a party whip to vote in favour of the government on the Finance Bill, which led to their disqualification. The disqualified MLAs are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma. Addressing reporters here, Pathania, who had reserved his verdict on the disqualification of the MLAs on Wednesday, said the legislators attracted the anti-defection law by defying the Congress whip as they were elected on the party's tickets. "These six MLAs are disqualified and cease to be members of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly with immediate effect," the Speaker said. These MLAs had cross-voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday. La

Clamour for CM Sukhu's resignation gains momentum post defeat in RS polls

According to sources, at least half of the Congress' 40 legislators conveyed their unhappiness with Sukhu for not heeding their concerns

Himachal Speaker reserves order on Cong's plea to disqualify 6 rebel MLAs

Himachal Pradesh Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday reserved his order on a Congress petition seeking disqualification of six party MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election. The six MLAs also face the possibility of disqualification on another count. Speaking in the assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said a whip was issued to the party MLAs to be present in the House during voting Wednesday on budget. But these MLAs defied it by staying away, he added. The minister asked the Speaker to take note of it. The Speaker said the matter is in his knowledge and he will take cognisance of it. The MLAs had cross-voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday, leading to the defeat of their party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The Congress has accused the six MLAs of defying the earlier whip on the Rajya Sabha polls. Senior advocate Satya Pal Jain, who represented the six MLAs before the Speaker on Wednesday, h

Himachal CM Sukhu won't accept 'younger brother' Vikramaditya's resignation

Vikramaditya Singh resigned from the cabinet, alleging that CM Sukhu had "humiliated" the MLAs and disrespected his father. His resignation followed after the BJP won the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh crisis highlights: Will keep fighting, says CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh highlights: Catch all the news highlights on the crisis surrounding Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's government here

Himachal Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die after passing budget for 2024-25

Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha was on Wednesday adjourned sine die after the passing of budget for 2024-25 and related Appropriation Bill authorising the government to spend Rs 6,24,21.73 crore from the consolidated fund. The Budget was passed in the absence of BJP members as 15 of them were suspended and the remaining ten staged a walk out in protest. The Vidhan Sabha was adjourned a day ahead of schedule as political scenario changed dramatically after defeat of Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and announcement of resignation by Public works minister Vikramaditya Singh from Sukhu cabinet. The budget was presented on February 17, 2024 by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio. Discussions on the budget were held for four days from February 19 to 22.

Every state, UT saw extreme weather event on at least 1 day in 2023: Report

India recorded extreme weather events on 318 of the 365 days in the year 2023, with all states and Union territories experiencing such events on at least one day, according to a new report released on Wednesday. These extreme weather events resulted in 3,287 human deaths, 1.24 lakh animal deaths, and damage to 2.21 million hectares of crop area, a report by independent think tank the Centre for Science and Environment's "State of Environment 2024" said. Himachal Pradesh recorded the highest number of days with extreme weather at 149, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 141, and Kerala and Uttar Pradesh with 119 each. Eight states recorded more than 100 days of extreme weather, the report said. Heavy rains, floods and landslides were recorded on 208 days in 2023. Lightning and storms occurred on 202 days, heatwaves on 49 days, cold waves on 29 days and cloudbursts on nine days. India experienced extreme weather events for 123 consecutive days between June and September 2023, the repor

'I'm warrior, haven't resigned': Himachal CM puts brave face amid crisis

The Congress government in Himachal is facing a risk of collapse. The crisis emerged after BJP Rajya Sabha candidate Harsh Mahajan won the poll on Tuesday, with the help of 6 Congress MLAs

Cong's Vikramaditya Singh quits as Himachal minister, says MLAs humiliated

Vikramaditya Singh, son of Pratibha Singh and former CM Virbhadra Singh, said the govt was formed with everyone's contribution but the MLAs were overlooked and attempts were made to stifle their voice

Himachal Pradesh BJP approaches governor amid threat of members' suspension

The Himachal Pradesh BJP on Wednesday sought intervention of Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla amid apprehensions that the Assembly Speaker might suspend its MLAs or disqualify the Congress legislators who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said that the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday made it clear that the Congress government was in minority and demanded Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu resign. "We are apprehensive that Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania might suspend the BJP MLAs so that the budget could be passed in the Vidhan Sabha," Thakur told reporters here. "As per our information, notices have been issued to Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate, asking them to explain why action should not be taken against them under the anti-defection law," he said. A delegation of the BJP legislative party led by Thakur apprised Governor Shukla on the Tuesday happenings during the election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state and urg

BJP to demand floor test in Himachal Pradesh amidst Rajya Sabha win

Congress faces setback in Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka due to cross-voting within the party

BJP secures Himachal's lone Rajya Sabha seat with cross-voting edge

Congress candidate Abhishek Singhvi lost to the BJP's Harsh Mahajan

Polling ends for lone RS seat from Himachal with last vote from MLA Babloo

Polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh, which began at 9 am on Tuesday, ended with Congress MLA from Chintpurni Sudershan Babloo casting the last vote. The polling was brisk and all 68 members have voted. Independent MLA from Hamipur Ashish was the first to cast his vote. Congress MLA Babloo was brought to the Assembly in a helicopter as he was unwell. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after casting his vote said the MLAs have voted as per the ideology of the party. "We have 40 MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha and unless MLAs are bought off, we will get all the votes," he said. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had earlier said that it was the democratic right of the MLAs to vote and it was not necessary that the candidate be elected unopposed. "We have fielded the candidate gauging the situation and hope that all MLAs would exercise their conscious vote," he added. The BJP has fielded Harsh Mahajan against Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Mahaja

Cong alleges BJP planning for horse trading in HP as polls for RS underway

On Monday, the BJP nominee complained to the Chief Election Commissioner saying that the Congress has issued a three-line whip to its MLAs for the polls, which he said was unethical

Himachal govt earned Rs 91 cr from milk cess on liquor: Industries minister

Himachal Pradesh government earned Rs 90.78 crore from milk cess of Rs 10 per bottle on liquor and the figure is likely to touch Rs 100 crore, Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said on Monday. The state government earned Rs 90.78 crore from milk cess on liquor till January 31, 2024, Chauhan said during the Question Hour in Vidhan Sabha. Replying to a question of Randhir Sharma (BJP) and Kewal Singh Pathania (Congress), on behalf of the chief minister, the minister said that the money would be used for increasing the income of milk producers and strengthening the milk sector infrastructure. He said that the liquor vends in 2023-24 were allotted through Auction-cum-Tenders and the reserve price was kept at Rs 1,446 crore but the actual auction amount was Rs 1,815 crore which was 40 per cent more as compared to the previous year (2022-23). The income from excise from the new policy increased by Rs 515 crore and against a target of Rs 2,350.81 crore from Excise policy, revenue o

HP records 6% increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 despite disruptions

Tourist arrivals in Himachal Pradesh increased from 1.51 crore in 2022 to 1.60 crore last year, despite the disruptions caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides in mid-2023. In the first half of 2023, more than one crore tourists -- 99,78,504 domestic and 28,239 foreign -- had visited the state till June. But tourist inflow completely stopped during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides, and disruption caused by these, an official said. Himachal Pradesh suffered losses to the tune of Rs 9,905.77 crore due to the July and August rains, and more than 200 people were killed in rain-related incidents and accidents. Several people were also displaced. In one instance, 75,000 stranded tourists had to be evacuated from the state on July 9 and 10 after roads were blocked in the hill state, according to government data. Following the monsoon mayhem, relief and restoration works were undertake on war-footing. The large flow of tourist during the Kullu ...

Parts of HP to receive heavy rain, snow on Feb 18-19; orange warning issued

Parts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to witness heavy rain, snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail and gusty winds on Sunday and Monday, according to the weather office. On Saturday, the weather remained dry and day temperatures rose marginally with Una recording a high of 27 degrees Celsius. The MeT office issued a yellow warning of heavy to very heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied with hail, gusty winds and lighting at isolated places on February 18 and 19. It predicted heavy rain/snow and thunderstorm accompanied by gusty wind and lighting at isolated places on February 20 and 21, and heavy rains at most places in lower hills and rains and snow in mid and higher hills as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from Saturday night. The maximum temperature stayed four to 10 degrees above normal in most places, and Kalpa and Keylong in tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts recorded a high of 16 degrees and 4 degrees, 10 and

Himachal Budget: Losses of public sector firms hit Rs 5,143 cr in FY23

Cumulative losses of public sector enterprises in Himachal Pradesh stood at Rs 5,143.46 crore as on March 31, 2023 and 14 out of 23 such units were in the red, according to a state government report. The report on public sector units was tabled in the state assembly on Saturday during the presentation of the annual budget for the next financial year. Himachal Road Transport Corporation topped the list with a loss of Rs 1,966.13 crore, followed by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board which lost Rs 1,823.97 crore. While HP Power Corporation registered a loss of Rs 6,89.24 crore, HP Power Transmission Corporation lost Rs 372.59 crore. Loss of HP Himachal Financial Corporation stood at Rs 184.83 crore, HP Tourism Development Corporation recorded a loss of Rs 12,663 crore, State Forest Corporation Rs 98.21 crore and Himachal Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) Rs 91.20 crore. On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation was amon

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announces hike in MSP for milk

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday presented the annual Budget of Rs 58,444 crore for 2024-25 with focus on the agriculture sector, and announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk. Presenting his second state Budget, Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, hiked the MSP of cow milk from Rs 38 to Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk from Rs 38 to Rs 55 per litre. Himachal is the first state to give MSP on milk, he said. He said liabilities of all milk cooperative societies will be waived off and Rs 150 crore will be spent on strengthening infrastructure for milk procurement and its processing. The CM announced Rajiv Gandhi Prakriyat Kheti Yojna, under which 36,000 farmers -- 10 farmers from every panchayat -- will be trained in natural farming techniques. Sukhu further said universal cartons will be introduced for apple packaging and horticulture tourism will be encouraged. He reiterated the state government's resolve to make

SKM bandh call: Farmers, labourers block Shimla-Kinnaur road in HP

Demanding an adequate compensation for the land acquired for hydro power projects and employment for youths, farmers and labourers of 16 affected panchayats here on Friday blocked the Shimla-Kinnaur road for about two-and-a-half hours. Protestors took out a rally in Nirath Bazaar and later blocked the road, about 110 km from the state capital Shimla. Former CPI(M) MLA Rakesh Singha said that besides addressing the locals' issues, the protest was held to express solidarity with the farmers "facing injustice" at the national level. Now, farmers and labourers are going to organise protests and move forward to fight for their rights until their demands are fulfilled. The main objective was to protest against the project builder allegedly not fulfilling the demands, including adequate compensation and jobs to locals in projects in the area, the protestors said. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the road blocked by the protestors. People from 16 panchayats have reached h