Page 26 - Himachal Pradesh

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 ...

Himachal to provide LPG kits, ration to people affected by heavy rain

People affected by heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh will get free LPG kits and ration, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu announced on Saturday. The provision of free ration will be extended till March 31, 2024, to ensure that families have access to basic food necessities, a statement issued here said. Gas connection kits with LPG cylinders and ration would be provided free of cost to the affected families hit by rain-related incidents in the state, Sukhu said. The government is committed to ensuring that disaster-affected families have access to essential cooking facilities without any financial burden, he said. The kits include an LPG cylinder, pressure regulator, and a hot plate among others, according to the statement. The chief minister said the government has also initiated efforts to relocate affected families from relief camps to more suitable rented accommodations and provide financial assistance of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for rural and urban areas.

Himachal govt to provide collateral-free loan to small-scale enterprises

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday announced the launch of a scheme to offer collateral-free loans to small-scale enterprises and skill-based workers such as cobblers, tailors, barbers and vegetable vendors. The state government has earmarked Rs 40 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Laghu Dukandar Kalyan Yojna (MMLDKY) and said that it will target the inclusion of 75,000 individuals falling in the 18-55 age bracket in its initial phase, a statement issued here on Saturday said. The government has devised a comprehensive scheme to offer collateral-free loans, aiming to financially fortify small scale enterprises and would provide accessible loans of up to Rs 50,000 with a substantial 50 per cent interest subsidy, the statement added. "The scheme aims to empower small entrepreneurs and uplift the state's economy", Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. He added that the government envisions providing vital support to those who often face hurdles in accessing financial resource

Grateful to Priyanka for writing to PM for calamity-hit Himachal: CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said he was grateful to Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for strongly advocating for the calamity-hit state in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He thanked her for her appeal to the prime minister to declare the destruction caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh a "national disaster", just like the Kedarnath tragedy of 2013. Close on the heel of her two-day visit to flood and landslide-hit areas of Mandi, Kullu and Shimla districts, Gandhi sent a letter to the prime minister on Friday, detailing the destruction suffered by the hill state during the ongoing monsoon. The Congress leader, in her letter, also sought financial assistance for providing relief to the victims and their families as well as for rebuilding the state. "I was pained to see the plight of affected people during my visit to rain-affected areas," Gandhi said in her letter," she wrote to Modi. She added that the state is .

Himachal CM Sukhu donates all his savings to state disaster relief fund

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday donated all his savings worth Rs 51 lakh to the state disaster relief fund to extend a helping hand to the people affected by natural calamities, according to a statement. The chief minister and his wife Kamlesh Thakur presented a cheque of Rs 51 lakh to Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena at their official residence here, the statement issued here said. "I could well understand the pain of the people and their plight during the recent monsoon fury in which more than 260 precious lives were lost and many rendered homeless, besides suffering huge losses," he said. Every section of society had voluntarily contributed towards the relief fund. Even children broke their piggy banks to help those in distress, the elders parted with their pension and the state government employees contributed generously from their salary to contribute towards the Aapda Raahat Kosh (disaster relief fund), he said. Earlier, the governments of Bihar

MeT sounds yellow alert in Himachal, cautions of floods in Sirmaur

Six districts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to receive heavy rains on Friday, the meteorological office here said while issuing a yellow alert and cautioned of flash floods in Sirmaur district. The MeT warned of heavy rains at isolated places in Mandi, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts on Friday. A fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of September 15, it added. Predicting a wet spell in the region till September 21, the weather department has forecast light to moderate rains in the low and mid hills of the state and moderate rain or snowfall in the higher reaches. It also cautioned of damage to standing crops, fruit plants, and young plants and advised farmers to reschedule the spraying of insecticides. Monsoon remained normal in the state on Thursday and light to moderate rains lashed some parts. During the ongoing monsoon season, Himachal Pradesh received 840.6 mm of rain from June 1 to September 15 against a normal .

Declare Himachal calamity 'national disaster': Priyanka Gandhi to PM Modi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to declare the destruction caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh a "national disaster", just like the Kedarnath tragedy of 2013. In a letter to Modi, Gandhi also sought financial assistance for providing relief to the victims and their families as well as for rebuilding the state. Flash floods and landslides triggered by the rains wreaked havoc in Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh on July 14 and 15. Gandhi, who visited the affected areas earlier this week, said apart from being the land of gods, Himachal Pradesh is also a state of true, simple and hardworking people. "The women, farmers, employees, businesspersons and youth of Himachal are very hardworking and self-respecting. Today, the same people are facing an unprecedented crisis. Floods and landslides have caused massive destruction in the state," the Congress general secretary said in her letter to the prime ...

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Cong to raise issue of special relief package for Himachal: Priyanka Gandhi

A special session of the parliament will be held from September 18 to 22

CM Sukhu urges Centre to declare calamity in Himachal as national disaster

He said that there has been huge devastation in the state due to heavy rain and flood. He said that the government is making changes in the manual to provide relief to the disaster affected

Demand for declaring HP crisis as disaster to be raised in Parl: Priyanka

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said that party MP from Mandi, Pratibha Singh, would raise in the special session of Parliament the demand for declaring the recent calamity in Himachal Pradesh a "national disaster". However, Gandhi said she was not sure if the party MP would be allowed to raise the demand during the session. A special session of Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22. We do not know what the session is about and whether she (Pratibha Singh) would be allowed to raise the issue or not but even if this does not happen, we should make a strong representation to the Centre on it and the Congress would fully support it, she told reporters during her visit to the Shiv temple site in Summer Hill here. Gandhi also met the families affected by the landslide. Twenty people were killed in the landslide at the Shiv temple on August 14. Three landslides had claimed 27 lives in Shimla city with Fagli and Krishnanagar slides claiming five and two ...

Experts to be roped in for in-depth study of landslides in Himachal

Experts from the Geological Survey of India, IIT Ropar and Wadia Institute of Seismology will be roped in for an in-depth study of landslides in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Tuesday. In the ongoing monsoon season, 111 people died in 165 landslides between June 24 and September 11, according to state emergency operation centre data. There are 17,120 landslide-prone sites in the state and 675 of these are near critical infrastructure and habitations, the data showed. Expressing concern over the landslides, the officials said the study would examine the reason behind land subsidence at nearly 200 places where there is no construction. Experts from the Geological Survey of India, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar and Wadia Institute of Seismology will be roped in for an in-depth study of landslides in the state, Principal Secretary (revenue) Onkar Chand Sharma told PTI. Meanwhile, a committee constituted last month to study the causes of landslides in Shimla city said in it

HP landslide: Apples, peas from Kinnaur being transported through ropeway

Apples and peas are being transported by a ropeway in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnnaur after a major landslide blocked the national highway connecting the district to state capital Shimla. After the successful trial of the ropeway (span) on Monday, apples, peas and other crops would be transported through the ropeway at Negulsari free of cost so that the produce reaches the markets and no loss is caused to farmers, Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said on Tuesday. Negi, who is also the sitting Congress MLA from Kinnaur, said over 20 apple-laden trucks have been diverted from Kaza-Kunzum road. The ropeway has been set up at Krampa in Negulsari to Dhumti on Chaura-Rupi link road. Machinery has been deployed on both sides of the landslide-hit road and majority of the stretch has been cleared but the rocky 70-metre path is creating hindrance as the slide is continuing, he told PTI. The minister also directed officials to arrange for transportation of all essential items s

Priyanka to visit flood-hit areas in Mandi, Kullu to oversee relief work

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will visit the flood-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday and oversee relief and restoration works. She would also interact with the flood victims at the Aloo ground in Manali. Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains had wreaked havoc in Kullu and Mandi districts on July 14 and 15. Gandhi, who arrived at the Bhuntar airport in Kullu this morning, stopped to receive flowers from local women at the airport and also spoke with Congress workers and local growers about apple production, transportation and rates of boxes. The Congress leader had recently alleged that apple boxes in Himachal Pradesh are being sold at one third rates after the Adani Group released the procurement price, and asked why the prime minister is not doing anything for them. Gandhi was accompanied by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh. The Congress leader would also v