Page 25 - Himachal Pradesh

Govt office wall in HP's Dharamsala defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti

In a similar incident on September 27, Pro-Khalistan graffiti was found written on the walls at Delhi's Kashmiri Gate flyover, after which Delhi Police registered a case in the matter

Himachal CM distributes Rs 4.6 crore among over 2,000 orphan children

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here on Tuesday distributed Rs 4.68 crore among over 2,000 orphan children for various expenses such as hostel and education fees, an official statement said. The amount was directly transferred to the children's bank accounts during a state-level 'Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray' function here presided over by the chief minister. The 'Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashraya Yojana' aims to provide comprehensive support to orphans, specially-abled children, destitute women, and elderly individuals in the state, the government release said. "In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, my government took a decision to adopt the orphans, the specially-abled children as the 'Children of the State' to work for their upliftment and well-being, giving them all parental care, besides taking care of the destitute women and elderly who have no one to look after," the chief minister was quoted as saying at the event. He added that under the 'Sukh Ashraya Yojana', ...

Long weekend spurs hotel occupancy in Shimla to 70%, recovery begins

The long weekend from September 30 to October 2 recorded over 70 per cent occupancy in hotels here, marking the beginning of the revival of tourism in the state capital. "The situation is improving. The room occupancy went over 70 per cent this weekend. We are hopeful that the tourist rush will increase in the coming days with the Shimla flying festival a paragliding accuracy competition which is going to be held in Junga in the suburbs of Shimla from October 12 to 15," Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association President MK Seth told The PTI on Tuesday. He said the starting of flights between Shimla and Amritsar on November 1 would further boost tourist footfall. Seth said he wants to advertise Shimla as a "treasure" of tourism activities and has plans to set up facilities for water sports in Sunni and adventure sports in Kufri. The opening of roads and resumption of the train service on the UNESCO heritage Kalka-Shimla railway has opened the floodgates for booking ...

Monsoon 2023: Himachal experienced highest number of floods, rain events

That has classified the June to September season as "below-normal"

Himachal Pradesh receives 61% of rainfall in July alone: Met Department

About 61 percent of the total normal rainfall from June 1 to September 30 was recorded in July alone this year, according to the data of the local Met department. The total normal rainfall from June 1 to September 30 is 734.4 mm of which 448.1 mm was recorded in July. Himachal Pradesh received 884.8 mm of rain against normal rainfall of 734.4 mm, an excess of 20 per cent since during the monsoon season in the same period. The state received 448.1 mm rainfall in July against normal rainfall of 256.8 mm, an excess of 75 per cent and 50.63 per cent of the total rainfall of 884.8 mm. During June, the state received 19 per cent excess rain, 75 per cent excess rain in July, four per cent deficit rain in August and 42 per cent deficit rain in September. As many as 45 flash floods including 26 in Kullu district alone occurred during July and seven during August. The 448.9 mm rainfall recorded in July was the highest rainfall witnessed by the state since 1980. Extremely heavy rainfall was

Tourism in Himachal's Shimla booms amid festive season and weekends

Bengali tourists, who typically visit Shimla during the Navratri festival have started arriving in the town

Over 12,500 challans issued against illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh

Intensifying action against illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh, the police issued over 12,500 challans during the past 21 months and collected a fine of Rs 8.19 crore in 10,891 cases, an official statement said on Wednesday. The remaining 1,680 have been sent to the court and 77 criminal cases of illegal mining have been registered, DGP Sanjay Kundu said in the statement. According to the statement, 12,571 challans were issued from January 1, 2022 to September 20, 2023. The police also impounded 1,539 vehicles involved in illegal mining and sent seven cases involving property worth Rs 11 crore to the Enforcement Directorate for necessary action, it said. In 2022, 6,686 challans were issued and 5,998 cases were settled. In 2023, from January 1 till September 20, 5,885 challans were issued and 4,893 challans were settled, the statement said. Similarly, the fine imposed in the compounded cases in 2022 was Rs 3.61 crore and Rs 4.58 crore in 2023, it said. The DGP said the increase in

Cipla to deliver essential medicines through drones in Himachal Pradesh

Company aims to scale drone operations in Uttarakhand and NE India

99% tourism resumes in HP as it recovers from nature's fury: Official

Bouncing back from being on the receiving end of nature's fury, Himachal Pradesh now plans to hold tourism festivals in all its 12 districts as 99 per cent of tourism activities have resumed in the state, an official said Tuesday. Raghubir Singh Bali, the vice chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board, also said district Tourism Officers would prepare the theme of festivals in their districts and school and college students and local representatives would be involved in various activities at the festival. Excessive rains and flash floods, triggering massive landslides had thrown normal life out of gear but the government actively carried out restoration operations and as on day roads are open, services have been restored and the state is fully prepared to receive tourists, Bali said in a statement issued here. Bali, who is also the chairman of HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), said Shimla Flying Festival would be organised at Junga near the state capital .

Cipla introduces drone-powered critical medicine delivery in Himachal

Drug major Cipla on Tuesday said it has introduced drone-powered deliveries of critical medicines for hospitals and pharmacies in Himachal Pradesh in partnership with Sky Air Mobility. The Mumbai-based firm aims to deliver medicines for cardiac, respiratory and other essential chronic therapies as part of the initiative. The use of drones will support on-time deliveries of the company's medicines to chemists and clinics in remote areas while minimising risks such as delays, temperature excursions affecting cold chain products, and roadside accidents, Cipla said in a statement. "As we accelerate our digital agenda across all functions, implementing drone-powered distribution enhances our supply chain resilience, strengthens connects with channel partners, helps us stay future ready and maintain reliable, prompt delivery of our trusted high-quality drugs to stockists and patients in the region," Cipla Global Supply Chain Head Swapn Malpani said. The drug firm said it also aims to sca

24 roads in 5 districts blocked due to rain-related incidents in Himachal

According to the data by the State Disaster Management Authority, "16 roads remain blocked in Lahaul-Spiti district, 4 in Shimla, 2 in Kullu and 1 each in Kangra and Kinnaur districts.

Universal cartons soon to be mandatory for selling apples in Himachal

Use of Universal Cartons will be mandatory for sale of apples in terms of weight in Himachal Pradesh from next year, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi announced in the state assembly on Saturday. Taking part in a discussion initiated by Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Negi said that the government has already decided that only universal cartons (universal standard of grading) of 24 kg weight would be allowed for sale of apples from the next year and telescopic cartons in which the weight could be increased would be banned. The government did not ban telescopic cartons this year as the growers had unused cartons and relaxation was given so that they did not suffer any loss, he said, adding that the decision to sell apples by weight was implemented strictly by the government and growers benefitted as one box fetched up to Rs 4,000. The middlemen (Aartis) were opposing it as it was causing loss to them but the government did not relent and a fine of up to Rs 22 lakh was impose

Aamir Khan extends aid to families affected by calamity in Himachal Pradesh

He has donated Rs 25 lakh to the Aapda Rahat Kosh-2023 as a charitable gesture to help the families devastated by the current disaster

Himachal Assembly discusses anonymous letter accusing govt officer of graft

An anonymous letter levelling corruption allegations against a Himachal Pradesh government officer that was widely circulated on social media was discussed in the assembly on Friday. The BJP's Bharmour MLA Janak Raj raised the issue to offer a personal clarification and said his name was being unnecessarily dragged into the matter. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the matter is under investigation and stringent action will be taken against those involved. Sukhu said tarnishing the image of any officer through anonymous letters is wrong. If one has evidence of corruption against any officer, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta, supported by an affidavit, the chief minister said. Raj said one person was arrested from his constituency in the matter and argued that he would have raised the issue in the assembly if he had the information mentioned in the letter. He also demanded an investigation into the allegations.

Delhi CM approves Rs 10-crore contribution to Himachal disaster relief fund

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved a Rs 10-crore contribution to the Himachal Pradesh government's disaster relief fund to aid its rehabilitation and relief efforts following the devastation caused recent heavy rains in the hill state, officials said on Friday. The file in this regard will now be sent to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena for his approval. The donation of Rs 10 crore is from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. "The Delhi government, under the direction of Chief Minister Kejriwal, will contribute a substantial sum of Rs 10 crore to the Himachal Pradesh Government's Aapda Rahat Kosh 2023. This contribution is aimed at aiding the state in its efforts to recover from the devastating recent floods that have left a trail of destruction in their wake," a government official said. This contribution is in response to a letter written by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to his Delhi counterpart. In his letter, Sukhu said that incessant ra

No incentives for industrial units that do not have 80% locals: Himachal

Industrial units not abiding by the government's directive to have 80 per cent locals in their workforce will not get any incentive, Himachal Pradesh industry minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said on Friday. About 81 per cent of Himachalis are working in the 27,719 industrial units functional in the state. At present a total of 2,28,977 workers have been employed in these units, out of which 1,86,289 workers are from Himachal, Chauhan informed the state assembly while replying to a question of K L Thakur (MLA from Nalagarh) and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (MAL from Barsar). He said that 80 per cent bonafide Himachalis would be engaged in the industrial enterprises as per the criteria of Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy-2019. The percentage of Himachalis is 72.60 per cent in Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh industrial area where 94,560 workers are working in 2,714 industrial units, he added. Hoshyar Singh, independent MLA from Dehra, said that the locals are not given employment in the

Himachal CM Sukhu introduces bill seeking to repeal 13 obsolete laws

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday introduced a bill seeking to repeal 13 laws that have outlived their utility. The enactments which have "lost their significance or have become obsolete and redundant" or whose retention as "separate, independent and distinct act" is unnecessary are proposed to be repealed, Sukhu said. The new legislation is called the Himachal Pradesh Repealing Bill-2023. The acts proposed to be repealed include the Presidency Small Cause Courts Act, 1882; Agriculturists Loans Act, 1884; Provincial Small Cause Courts Act, 1887; Mandi Minor Forest Produce Exploitation and Export Act, 1997 and 1941. The Chamba Minor Forest Produce Exploitation and Export Act, 2003 and Punjab Tobacco Vend Fees (Repealing) Act, 1953 are also proposed to be repealed. The Himachal Pradesh Private Forest Act, 1954; the Punjab Labor Welfare Fund Act, 1965; Punjab Professions, Trades, Callings and Employment Taxation (Himachal Pradesh Repealing) Act, 1968

HP govt to demand Centre to declare state situation as national disaster

The Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu moved the resolution Under rule 102 on the first day of the monsoon session of the Assembly for discussion

CWC passes condolence resolutions on loss of lives in Manipur, Himachal

The Congress Working Committee on Saturday passed condolence resolutions over the loss of lives in the ethnic violence in Manipur and the natural disaster in Himachal Pradesh. The Congress' top decision-making body, holding its first meeting since its reconstitution, also passed a resolution condoling the demise of veteran leader and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy. In the resolution on Manipur, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) expressed its profound sense of loss and anguish at the ongoing situation of ethnic violence in the state. "The people of Manipur have witnessed extreme devastation and are facing innumerable hardships. More than 200 lives have been lost, over 500 injured and more than 5,000 houses gutted in arson-related incidents. A staggering number of over 60,000 people are displaced and continue to live in dire conditions in relief camps across the state," the resolution stated. Schools and colleges were closed for nearly three months, adversely affecting

IMD forecasts heavy rainfall, lightning at isolated places in Himachal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall and lightning at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh for today.It also said that light to moderate rainfall occurred at many places over the state during the last 24 hours, adding that the Monsoon was vigorous over there. "Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms & lightning are likely at isolated places on 16.09.2023 over plains, low and mid hills of the state. Damage may occur to standing crops, fruit plants, new plantings and poor visibility. Traffic congestion and disruption in electric supply," Meteorological Centre, Shimla said. The meteorological centre said that heavy rain occured at isolated places in Kangra district."Monsoon was vigorous over the state. Light to moderate Rainfall occurred at many places over the state during the last 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Kangra district. No large change in Minimum temperatures and appreciable fall Maximum temperatures during ...