Page 9 - Himachal Pradesh

Centre steps in as home secy calls emergency meet on Haryana water crisis

It was further agreed that during the dam-filling period, BBMB will compensate Punjab with an equivalent amount of excess water to address any additional requirements

HPBOSE 12th result 2025: Will HP Board Class 12 results be announced today?

The date and time of the release of Class 12th Result 2025 have not yet been announced by HPBOSE. The Himachal Pradesh Class 12th examination this year was held from March 4 to March 29, 2025

Panchayat poll candidates obligated to disclose info on pending cases: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which said the candidates contesting panchayat elections were obligated to disclose information about the pending cases against them. A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the remarks while affirming the decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court to uphold the dismissal of the 'pradhan' (head) of the Pangna village panchayat in Mandi district. The high court on October 16, 2024, held that the concealment of material facts by the petitioner amounted to "corrupt practice" under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and was another valid ground to declare his election null and void. The top court said, "We fail to find any merit as far as the petitioner's challenge to the impugned order(s) and judgment(s) of the high court are concerned. We say so for the reason that the regulations framed by the State Election Commission have rightly been held by the high court to be

Himachal govt slams Nadda, says claims over medical park funds 'misleading'

The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh lashed out at Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Sunday over his claim about the non-utilisation of Central funds for building a medical device park in the state, terming it an attempt at "misleading" people. Earlier in the day, Nadda, who also the BJP's national president, chastised Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu dispensation in the state as the "most corrupt" and claimed that it had returned to the Centre a sum of Rs 25 crore allocated for the construction of a medical device park. Also, the state government failed to utilise Rs 225 crore released till 2023 out of the Rs 1,000 crore allocated to the state for a bulk drug park, he has alleged. Reacting to the accusations, Himachal Pradesh Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, in a joint press conference, underlined that the Congress government has decided to execute the project independently. The Himachal Pradesh government has not cancelled t

JP Nadda rules out return to Himachal politics amid BJP leadership shift

With the party expected to soon elect his successor, BJP chief J P Nadda on Sunday ruled out a return to Himchal Pradesh politics. "I am in a responsible position and there is no possibility of coming back to the state," Nadda, who was elected BJP's national president in February 2020 and has been on an extension since his three-year term ended, said at a press conference here. The BJP is in the process of picking the chiefs of several state units in the coming days to pave the way for the election of its national president, sources said earlier this week. Once the appointment is made in some of the states, the process for electing Nadda's replacement will begin soon, a party leader had said. The state BJP president would be elected soon, Nadda said while replying to a question on Sunday. He attacked the Himachal Government, alleging that it was the "most corrupt" among the Congress governments in the country. Nadda claimed that the Congress government in the state has given ...

This IAS officer hosted a private Holi party - and billed the state for it

Prabodh Saxena, Himachal Pradesh's top bureaucrat, billed ₹1.22 lakh to the state exchequer for a Holi party attended by officers and families, sparking backlash over misuse of public funds

Rights groups alarmed over Himachal forest official's letter on FRA

Several tribal and forest rights organisations in Himachal Pradesh have written to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, objecting to a letter issued by the state's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests which, they claim, misinterprets the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and could harm the recognition of rightful forest dwellers. The Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognises the rights of tribal and forest-dependent communities over the land they have lived on and protected for generations. However, its implementation has been marked by violations, with a large number of claims wrongly rejected. The groups, which include Himdhara Collective, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, Van Adhikar Manch and others, said the forest department's letter, dated April 11 and addressed to all deputy commissioners and forest officers in the state, goes beyond its authority. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the forest department's letter and called for a trust-building process. Calling the letter "an unnecessary and unwarran

Finalised cases can't be reopened or justice system will face chaos: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said finality of a litigation is a core facet of a sound judicial system and a case that has concluded cannot be reopened, otherwise there will be "chaos in the administration of justice". A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan dismissed a writ petition filed by former employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation Limited, seeking pensionary benefits despite the issue having attained finality in a separate round of litigation in 2016. "It is crystal clear that the present writ petition is thoroughly misconceived and is liable to be dismissed. However, before parting with the record, we would like to emphasize and reiterate the principle of finality of an adjudication process. Finality of a lis is a core facet of a sound judicial system. Litigation which had concluded or had reached finality cannot be reopened," the bench said. It added that a litigant aggrieved by a decision rendered by this court in a

Himachal Day 2025: History, significance and 5 best places to visit

India marks 78th Himachal Day today, commemorating the state's formation as a province post-independence; April 15 is observed as a public holiday in the state

SFJ warns Himachal CM against Ambedkar birth anniversary celebrations

Banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has issued a warning to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, asking him to stop all celebrations related to the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar on April 14 in the state. In a letter shared with the media, SFJ also announced a reward of Rs 11 lakh for anyone who raises the Khalistan flag at the Ambedkar statue located in Chaura Maidan near the state assembly here on April 14. "Cancel all Bhim Jayanti-related events organized by public or educational institutions, and remove Ambedkar's name and image from all state-controlled entities," said the SFJ letter dated April 9, a copy of which is with PTI. The SFJ has asked the state government to take this message "seriously". "Failure to comply will prompt formal complaints to international human rights bodies and legal action against responsible institutions," it warned. According to the letter, Ambedkar, while drafting the Indian Constitution, "inserted Article 25(b),

1st photo of Woolly Flying Squirrel recorded in Himachal's Miyar Valley

The wildlife wing of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) has captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel at Miyar Valley in Lahaul and Spiti district. This rare documentation was made during a camera trapping survey conducted between October 10 and December 4, 2024, a forest department spokesperson said in a statement issued on Saturday. The spokesperson said the Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), endemic to the north-western Himalayas, was long believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 after a gap of nearly 70 years. The confirmation of its presence marks a noteworthy addition to the state's list of mammals and a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts. He said that the camera trapping survey was part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative. The survey followed SPAI protocols and involved the installation of 62 camera traps across strategic locations in Miyar Valley.

Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are like brothers, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab and Himachal have always remained like brothers and maintained cordial relations no matter what dispute emerged, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Friday. Mann who visited Naina Devi temple in Bilapsur district on Friday along with his family members while interacting with the media persons said that he would speak to the officers of both the states to expedite the work on Rajju Marg (ropeway) from Naina Devi to Anandpur Sahib. He said that he has visited various places like Bilapsur, Kullu, Manali and Shimla in Himachal as an artist earlier. Expressing concern over drug abuse in Punjab, he said that earlier the youth of the Punjab used to join armed forces but now the generations are damaged by drugs. However, the Punjab government is taking steps to get rid of the drug menace.

HPU announces revised exam schedules for BA, BSc, and BComs exams 2025

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has revised exam schedules for undergraduate BA, BSc, and BCom programs to avoid exam overlaps. Here's all you need to know

Landslide near Manikaran Gurudwara in Himachal kills 6, several injured

A landslide triggered by a storm in Himachal's Kullu district on Sunday left six people dead and as many injured after a huge tree fell on several vehicles near Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib, officials said. Medical teams, police and revenue officials are present at the spot and coordinating rescue and relief operations, Kullu's Sub Divisional Magistrate Vikas Shukla told reporters at the spot. A tree on a mountain opposite the gurudwara got uprooted following a storm and landslide. It fell on some vehicles and some 'rehri' (wooden carts) on the road, the officials said. Among those killed were Manikaran resident Reena, Varsini from Bangalore and Sameer, a native of Nepal who was working in Kullu, they said. The other three deceased are yet to be identified. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur have expressed deep grief over the incident. Congress MLA from Kullu Sunder Singh Thakur said six people were killed when a hollow tree on the mountain

HP inks MoUs with Telangana for Seli and Miar hydro electric power projects

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana for establishing 400 MW Seli and 120 MW Miar Hydro Electric Power Projects in Lahaul-Spiti district. The MoUs were signed by Secretary Power Rakesh Kanwar on behalf of the HP government and Principal Secretary of Power Sandeep Kumar Sultania on behalf of the Telangana government in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, a statement issued here said. Both the projects are expected to be set up with an estimated cost of Rs 6,200 crore on the bank of Chenab river and are set to generate direct and indirect employment to about 5,000 youth of the state. As per the agreement, the Telangana government has paid Rs 26 crore as upfront premium and after the commissioning of both these projects, HP will receive 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 30 per cent free power for the first 12 years, next 18 years

Himachal's Budget strained by high committed spending: Indi-Ra report

Himachal Pradesh's revenue deficit is expected to be around 30 basis points higher than the budgeted 2.5% of gross state domestic product (GSDP) in FY26

Himachal Pradesh budget FY26 passed: Focus on rural economy, farmers, youth

Addressing government employees, the Chief Minister assured timely payment of Dearness Allowance (DA)

HPPCL director suspended after protests over chief engineer's death

A director (electrical) of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited has been suspended after the relatives of a deceased chief engineer of the corporation sat on a dharna demanding the suspension of senior officers and a CBI inquiry into his death, officials said on Thursday. The body of Vimal Negi, who was missing since March 10, was found in Bilapsur on Tuesday. Negi's wife has claimed that it was "not a suicide but murder", alleging that her husband was pressurised, denied holidays, and harassed even when he was unwell and his blood pressure was fluctuating. The protesters, who sat on dharna outside the HPPCL office in Shimla on Wednesday, refused to perform Negi's last rites till senior officers of the corporation were suspended. They also raised slogans against Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) director (electrical) Desh Raj and its managing director Harikesh Meena. The dharna was lifted late on Wednesday night only after the suspension of Desh Raj and ...

CM Sukhu presents Rs 58,514 cr budget with focus on tourism, green energy

With a focus on tourism, rural development and green energy, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday presented the annual Budget of Rs 58,514 crore for 2025-26. While presenting his third annual Budget for FY26, Sukhu said the year 2025-26 is full of financial challenges as revenue deficit grant has been reduced and GST compensation has been stopped which will impact the state's economy. The Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) has been reduced from Rs 10,949 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 3,257 in 2025-26, while Himachal Pradesh incurred a loss of Rs 9,478 crore till 2023-24, despite Good and service Tax (GST) compensation given by the centre to the state, he said. The government will focus on promoting religious and eco-tourism besides exploring lesser-known tourist destinations, he said, adding that tea estates would be developed as eco-tourism destinations. Operators were selected for seven eco-tourism sites in 2024 and 78 new eco-tourism sites would be allocated in the next phase and .

Avalanche alert issued for high altitude areas in four Himachal districts

The Met office here has issued an avalanche alert for some high altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh for the next 24 hours. It has also predicted a wet spell in the state till Thursday, barring Tuesday. The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment, Chandigarh, issued an orange alert on Saturday, with the possibility of avalanches in high altitude areas of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts in the next 24 hours. Parts of the state witnessed light snow since Friday evening. Gondla received 8 cm of snow, Kukumseri 4.2 cm and Kalpa 2 cm. Snowfall since February 26 has made life tough for tribals of the Pangi valley in Chamba district. With the closure of roads, the villagers have been forced to carry the sick to hospital on palanquins. It was reported that on Friday, Sham Singh, a patient from Punto village, was taken to Civil Hospital in Killar on a palanquin. Earlier, villagers from Hudan panchayat had carried two patients, Sher Singh and Hira Lal, to the hospit