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

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

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

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

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

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

Mandi | January 17, 2026 At least seven people were injured  after a Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus  en route to Sarkaghat  veered off the road in Mandi district  on Saturday morning, police officials said. The accident occurred in the early hours when the bus reportedly lost control while navigating a stretch of the hilly road. Due to the impact, several passengers sustained injuries, while others escaped unhurt. Rescue and Medical Aid Launched After