Himachal Pradesh Desk

Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh has severely disrupted normal life, forcing the closure of 565 roads and affecting power supply in several districts, officials said on Friday. Lahaul and Spiti Worst Affected According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti has emerged as the worst-hit region, with 292 roads blocked due to thick accumulation of snow. Among the key routes affected are National Highway-03 (Leh–Manali) and N

A confrontation between personnel of the Delhi Police and Himachal Pradesh Police has triggered a major political controversy in Himachal Pradesh, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu  accusing the national capital’s force of overstepping its jurisdiction. What Triggered the Stand-off? According to officials, the dispute arose when a team from Delhi Police  reportedly entered Himachal Pradesh in connection with an investigation. Local authorities alleged that proper pro

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu  has strongly cautioned against any move to discontinue Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG), stating that such a decision would severely impact hill states like Himachal Pradesh that rely heavily on central assistance to maintain fiscal stability. Concern Over Fiscal Stress Addressing the issue, the Chief Minister highlighted that Himachal Pradesh already faces structural financial constraints due to its difficult terrain, limit

In a dramatic development linked to the recent “shirtless” protest controversy, three Congress workers — Saurabh, Siddharth, and Arbaz — were apprehended from a hotel in Shimla district by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, officials confirmed. Arrest in Shimla According to sources, the trio was picked up during a coordinated operation carried out by the Special Cell in connection with a case registered in Delhi. The workers were reportedly staying at a hotel in Shimla whe

A dramatic standoff unfolded between the Delhi and Shimla police after the arrest of three Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers triggered allegations of “kidnapping” and procedural violations, escalating into an unusual inter-state legal confrontation. The Arrest in Delhi The controversy began when Delhi Police detained three Youth Congress members in connection with an ongoing investigation. According to officials, the arrests were made following due inquiry, and the accused

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Monday termed the recent Union Budget of India as “inequitable” and alleged that it has overlooked the concerns and developmental priorities of hill states like Himachal Pradesh. Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the Budget failed to provide adequate financial support for states facing geographical and infrastructural challenges. He argued that special category states such as Himachal Pradesh require t

In a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing transparency and boosting revenue, the Himachal Pradesh government has launched its first-ever e-auction of retail liquor outlets for the excise year 2026–27. The digital bidding process was initiated on the very first day for three districts — Kinnaur, Hamirpur, and Chamba. State Taxes and Excise Commissioner Yunus said the move marks a major reform in the excise policy of the state. He stated that the online auction system ha

The Himachal Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to increase the State’s forest cover to 31% by the year 2030, up from the current 29.5%. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Forest Department to prepare a comprehensive and time-bound roadmap to achieve the goal through sustainable planning and scientific management. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu:Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Forest Department, the Chief Minister em

Shimla:  The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly  on Tuesday passed a Resolution on Regularisation of Daily Wagers (RDG) amid noisy scenes and sharp exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition. The resolution was adopted despite strong protests from members of the Bharatiya Janata Party  (BJP), who questioned the government’s financial preparedness and implementation strategy. The session witnessed repeated sloganeering and disruptions as Opposition legislator

Shimla:  The Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh  chaired a high-level बैठक to review preparedness for the first phase of Census of India 2027 , directing officials to ensure meticulous planning and coordination at all levels for the smooth conduct of the nationwide exercise. 🏛 Focus on Grassroots Implementation During the conference, detailed discussions were held on the action plan for the first phase of Census 2027, including timelines, manpower deployment, training modul

Shimla:  Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered multiple landslides and a cloudburst in several parts of Himachal Pradesh , causing widespread disruption, road blockages, and damage to property. Authorities have ordered the closure of educational institutions, while postgraduate and B.Ed examinations have been cancelled as a precautionary measure. 🌧 Cloudburst and Landslides Officials said a cloudburst incident was reported in a hilly area amid relentless rainfall , leading

Shimla:  In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department  has seized 85 leopard claws and five canine teeth, arresting six individuals — including a woman — in connection with the illegal possession and trade of wildlife body parts. 🐆 Major Wildlife Haul Forest officials said the accused were intercepted during a planned operation based on specific intelligence inputs about illegal wildlife trade activities in the region. During the searc

Shimla:  The second day of the Budget Session in Himachal Pradesh  witnessed sharp exchanges between the ruling dispensation and the Opposition over the withdrawal of RDG (Revenue Deficit Grant). Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri  took on Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur , questioning why the Opposition was not expressing outrage over the discontinuation of RDG support to the hill state. 🏛 Heated Debate in Assembly During the discussion, the Deputy CM argued that

Shimla:  A major environmental concern has surfaced over the Himachal Pradesh government’s proposed township project after the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board  informed the National Green Tribunal  (NGT) that nearly 37 hectares of land earmarked for ecological restoration fall within the area approved for development. According to submissions made before the tribunal, the land identified for ecological restoration overlaps with the site where the state Cabinet

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has earned ₹171.48 crore from the auction of 11 toll barriers across the state in just 11 months of the current financial year, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The figures were shared by the Department of State Taxes and Excise in response to an RTI query. The department clarified that the revenue was generated through the auctioning of toll collection rights to private contractors, who bid f

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a statewide ban on the use of mobile phones by students in schools , effective from March 1, 2026 . The decision will apply to both government and private schools  across the State, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu  said on Thursday. Announcing the move, the Chief Minister said the ban has been introduced to improve discipline, enhance academic focus, and reduce distractions  among students. He expressed concern over

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh is experiencing active western disturbances , bringing widespread rain and snowfall  across several regions, including Kullu, Kangra, and Mandi . The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts as temperatures have plummeted sharply , creating cold wave-like conditions  in popular tourist areas such as Manali and Mandi. Senior IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma  reported that Kothi in Kullu district recorded the heaviest