Himachal Pradesh Desk

The Himachal Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest around ₹3,000 crore in the tourism sector, aiming to boost infrastructure, attract private investment, and position the hill state as a premier destination for both domestic and international travellers. Speaking at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made a strong pitch to industrialists, assuring them of a business-friendly environment a

A suspected kidnapping attempt targeting the son of an aide to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has triggered concern in the hill state, with police registering a case against unidentified individuals and launching an investigation. According to initial reports, the incident took place late on Friday evening (March 20) in the outskirts of Shimla. The alleged target, Aryan Chauhan, who serves as the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress, was travelling fr

In a significant administrative move, the government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to withdraw the ‘Cabinet rank’ status granted to several political appointees and functionaries. The decision comes as part of broader efforts to improve financial discipline and reduce expenditure. Move Aimed at Fiscal Prudence The step has been taken by the Indian National Congress-led state government, which has been grappling with a financial crunch. Officials said the withdrawal of Cabin

A major case of examination malpractice has surfaced in Kangra, where a teacher was caught allegedly dictating answers to students during an ongoing school examination. The incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the examination process in the region. Teacher Accused of Aiding Cheating According to officials, a preliminary inquiry revealed that the teacher, present inside the examination hall, was verbally dictating answers to multiple-choice questions to

Shimla : In a move aimed at cutting expenditure and improving fiscal discipline, the government of Himachal Pradesh has withdrawn the ‘Cabinet rank’ status granted to several political appointees and other पदाधिकारी. The decision comes as the Congress-led state government grapples with a financial crunch and looks to streamline spending by reducing perks and privileges associated with such positions. 💼 What the Decision Means Officials said that the withdrawal of Cabinet ran

Shimla : In a remarkable display of courage and community spirit, women in several villages across Himachal Pradesh have stepped forward to tackle the growing threat of drug abuse and trafficking by initiating night patrols in their areas. Braving the biting cold and difficult terrain, groups of women are venturing out after dusk, keeping a vigilant watch on suspicious activities and movements in their villages. Moving in small teams, Night patrol streets, lanes, and isolated

A serious case of exam malpractice has come to light from Kangra, where a teacher was caught allegedly helping students cheat during an examination. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the integrity of the education system. 🚨 Teacher Caught Red-Handed According to officials, a preliminary inquiry revealed that the teacher inside the examination hall was verbally dictating answers to multiple-choice questions. Several students were reportedly benefiting from the answ

Authorities in Kashmir Valley are turning to the region’s famous spring blossoms to revive tourism following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The picturesque valley, known for its natural beauty and vibrant flower gardens, is hoping that the annual bloom of almond and tulip flowers will attract visitors back to the region. To mark the beginning of the spring tourism season, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, is set to inaugurate a spring festival later t

Shimla : Ministers in the Himachal Pradesh government have stated that polyandry, a practice where a woman marries more than one man, is part of an ancient tribal tradition in certain regions of the state. The remarks came after reports surfaced about a woman marrying two men, sparking public debate. According to officials, the custom is locally known as “Jodidara”, a traditional practice followed in some tribal communities of Himachal Pradesh for generations. Ministers expla

Shimla : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta was sworn in as the new Governor of Himachal Pradesh at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Shimla. The oath of office was administered in the presence of senior state officials, political leaders, and dignitaries. Gupta, a prominent leader from Jammu and Kashmir, had earlier served as the Lieutenant-Governor of Ladakh before assuming the new constitutional role. After taking the oath, Kavinder Gupta said that the

The Supreme Court of India has directed the government of Himachal Pradesh and the State Election Commission to ensure that pending local body elections in the hill state are conducted and completed by May 31. A Bench of the apex court issued the directive while hearing a matter related to delays in holding elections for local bodies in the state. The court emphasized that the democratic process at the grassroots level should not be unnecessarily delayed and instructed author

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta has been appointed as the new Governor of Himachal Pradesh, marking another milestone in his long political and public life that began with grassroots activism. Gupta, a seasoned politician, started his public journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and later became associated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad. His early years were shaped by active participation in social and ideological movements, which eventually paved t

In a significant political development just days before upcoming elections, the central government has appointed new Governors for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The decision has triggered strong reactions from political leaders, especially in West Bengal. According to official sources, R. N. Ravi has been appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal following the resignation of C. V. Ananda Bose. The sudden change comes at a politically sensitive time as preparations for electi

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta has been appointed as the new Governor of Himachal Pradesh, marking another milestone in his long political career that began in grassroots organisations linked to the nationalist movement. Gupta’s political journey reflects decades of involvement in ideological and organisational work, starting with associations connected to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Over the years, he rose s

The Supreme Court of India  has directed the Himachal Pradesh  government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to complete the local body election process by May 31 , citing the approaching monsoon season and the logistical challenges faced by the hill State. ⚖️ Court’s Observations A Bench of the apex court observed that delaying the polls further would not be appropriate and emphasised the constitutional mandate of conducting timely elections to local bodies. However, wh

A Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Himachal Pradesh has reportedly been cautioned by the state administration after concerns were raised about her promoting commercial products on social media platforms. The officer, Oshin Sharma, allegedly used her personal social media accounts to promote nutritional supplements and jewellery brands, prompting scrutiny from higher authorities. The matter has sparked a debate over the conduct rules applicable to civil servants and the boun

The Himachal Pradesh government will invest ₹1,000 crore to transform the Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital (RKGMCH) into a state-of-the-art multi-speciality institution, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Friday. The announcement came after the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing construction and expansion works at the medical college in Hamirpur district. Vision to Build the State’s Best Medical College Addressing officials and media

Tourism stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh have urged the state government to include women-run hotels and homestays on the official tourism department portal to promote gender-inclusive growth and boost rural livelihoods. Representatives from hotel associations, homestay operators, and women’s self-help groups submitted their recommendations to the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and the state government, calling for a dedicated section highlighting accommodat

A violent altercation between a senior resident doctor and attendants of a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, has led to the termination of the doctor’s services, even as an internal inquiry report held both parties responsible for the incident. What Happened According to hospital authorities, the confrontation broke out in one of the clinical departments following a dispute over the patient’s treatment and alleged delay in medical attention

Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have strongly opposed the reported reduction in import duty on apples from New Zealand, warning that the move could severely impact the livelihoods of thousands of orchardists in the hill State. Memorandum Submitted to Governor Representatives of apple growers’ associations submitted a memorandum to the Governor, urging immediate intervention to safeguard the interests of local farmers. They argued that lowering import duties on foreign apple