CID to investigate forest wood floating in Pandoh Dam after cloudburst

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-Taking strict cognizance of the forest wood and logs that got accumulated in the Pandoh Dam in the recent cloudbursts, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has handed over the investigations to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The log woods in huge quantity was sighted floating in the Pandoh dam recently which got accumulated after it was swept down from the hills last week due to the cloudburst and flash floods.

A spokesperson of the state government said that the government has taken serious cognizance regarding the matter and would bring out in light the possible reasons behind the accumulation of wood in such a large quantity and the government under the directions of the Chief Minister has now decided for the CID inquiry into the matter. The first and foremost reaction to the incidents of cloudbursts and floods was to save the life of people and provide immediate relief to them wherein effective measures were underway to bring back normalcy in the flood hit regions.

The videos and photographs of wood flushing down with the river and found floating in the Pandoh dam went viral on few media platforms, raising public concern and prompting calls for investigation. While the government and the administration was busy helping people, the BJP made hue and cry regarding the forest wood without showing and sensitivity and concern for the ones affected by the cloudburst and flash floods. The BJP leaders were making irresponsible statements at the time of disaster which highlights that the opposition is highly ignorant and selective when it comes to such matters as the issues of illegal felling of trees were never inquired and no accountability was set during their tenure. Rather the "Van Mafia" had clear support of the BJP and its government in the previous tenures of the BJP government in the state.

The spokesperson added that the present state government has set a goal to make Himachal Pradesh a 'Green Energy State' by 31^st March, 2026 and any obstacle or act which stops government from achieving its target would be dealt under the rule of the law.

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Dr. Aarushi Jain calls on CM

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-Public Policy Expert Dr. Aarushi Jain, called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here on Sunday evening and shared her expertise in AI and digital governance and introduced her initiative AI SAVERA (System for Accessible Voice-based E-Governance and Responsive Analytics). She was selected as an Edward S. Mason Fellow and awarded the distinguished title of John F. Kennedy Scholar, a recognition granted to a select group of global change makers.

The Chief Minister commended her for bringing pride to the state and appreciated her for the innovation and the initiative of such a technology-driven platform. The platform also incorporates features such as sentiment analysis, virtual avatars of public leaders, and real-time analytics dashboards for decision-makers, making it a powerful tool for both service delivery and citizen engagement.

Dr. Aarushi Jain has successfully completed the prestigious Mid-Career Master's in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University.

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Himcare cards in to be made throughout the year

Principals and MS given power to do so

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-Over 5.80 lakh people of the state have benefitted from the Himcare Yojana being effectively run by the state government for the patients and the government has spent around Rs. 810 crore on beneficiaries to provide them free of cost quality treatment. Recently, the government took a decision to further strengthen the HIMCARE scheme by streamlining the process of making Himcare cards. According to the new policy, the Himcare cards would be made on a quarterly basis every year, i.e. in the months of March, June, September and December.

However, keeping in view the importance of these cards, especially for the poor and needy families, the government has decided to grant the power to the principals of medical colleges and medical superintendents to allow them to permit making of Himcare cards any time throughout the year in special circumstances which they deem fit based on the financial conditions, severity of disease or any other appropriate reason. Himcare cards could be made any time of the year for the families falling in any such categories. The new decision would come into effect after July, 2025. The portal is open in July month and people could make Himcare cards anytime during this month.

A spokesperson of the state government stated that apart from this the government has also decided to provide free of cost treatment to accident victims in all of the state-run medical institutions. The step would ensure timely, quality and free treatment to the victim instead of waiting for the money, bill clearances or a relative to come. This decision could prove to be a life saving decision for the persons injured in an accident.

The spokesperson stated that these cards would have a validity of one year and the portal for applying for the cards would be opened after every three months. The portal would remain open for a month in March, June, September and December every year for each quarter safely.

The people could also renew the Himcare cards throughout the year. If the beneficiary fails to renew cards on time as per the policy and their card expires, the expired cards could be renewed in March, June, September and December, as per the new policy.

The spokesperson said that the decision has been taken to ensure selection of eligible beneficiaries and ensure that people renew their cards on time to avail seamless, free of cost as well as quality health care facilities.

The Himcare card is made free of cost for various sections, including BPL, MGNREGA, street vendors, orphans and prison inmates. A nominal fee of Rs. 365 is charged for these cards from single women, contract and outsource employees, persons with 40 percent and above disability, mid day meal workers, part time workers and daily wagers. A fee of Rs. 1,000 is charged from the remaining eligible sections.

There are 5.26 lakh Himcare card holder families in the state and the card covers upto maximum of five members of a family under one card. A total of 3,227 diseases are covered for free treatment under the HIMCARE scheme. The State government's 136 health institutions in the state, along with PGI Chandigarh. Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (Tata Memorial Center), New Chandigarh are providing free of cost treatment to the Himcare beneficiaries. Apart from this, dialysis services are being given free of cost under the Himcare scheme in all the private institutions functioning in the state.

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CM stresses on urgent need to study rising incidents of cloud bursts

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here today that disasters pose the biggest challenges for the future and combating the adverse effects of climate change was a pressing concern for humanity. While presiding over the 9^th meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, the Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the rising incidents of cloud bursts in the State and said that the matter was also raised with the Union Home Minister.

The Chief Minister said that over the past few days Mandi district recorded 123 percent excess rains, causing a widespread devastation in the district whereas Shimla district, got 105 percent excess rainfall. He said that recently 19 cloud bursts have occurred causing significant losses to human lives and properties. The present State Government was making all-out efforts to rehabilitate and provide relief to the affected families. He said that unscientific muck dumping was leading to damages and stressed on a scientific mechanism for its disposal to prevent further damages.

Sh. Sukhu directed the SDMA to issue regular weather updates to the public and to counter misinformation circulating in social media. He said that SDMA was the sole authority to issue alerts and urged the people to rely only on the official information. He said that safe construction activities should be promoted and people must construct their houses at least 100 meters away from the rivers and rivulets.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was strengthening the SDRF and a new campus was being set up at Palampur in Kangra district. The State Institute of Disaster Management would be established at Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Institute of Public Administration, Shimla while Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla would carry out research and development work. He also directed to conduct a study on high risk glacial lakes and rope in the local community to raise awareness. He said that disasters have now become frequent phenomena and in 2023 Himachal Pradesh suffered significant losses during the monsoon season, affecting thousands of people. He said that Rs. 1260 crore were disbursed to the district administrations and various departments for carrying out relief and rehabilitation operations. Additional Rs. 138 crore were also provided under the mitigation fund.

The Chief Minister directed the government departments to set up their projects at least 100 meters away from the water streams to minimize the losses. He said that Rs. 891 crore disaster risk reduction project was being implemented under which strengthening of the HPSDMA and the DDMAs would be done along-with fortifying disaster preparedness through effective early warning system and supporting mitigation measures, which would be completed in March, 2030.

Principal Advisor (Media) to Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretaries M. Sudha Devi and Dr. Abhishek Jain, ADGPs Satwant Atwal and Abhishek Trivedi, Special Secretary D.C. Rana and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

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Astro tourism is a new beginning for Himachal Pradesh :CM

· CM launches star gazing facility at Kaza

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-In a landmark initiative to promote Astro-tourism for community empowerment in the high-altitude cold desert of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today formally launched the stargazing facility at Kaza for local tribal community entrepreneurship as part of a programme under Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE) of Environment, Science Technology & Climate Change of Himachal Pradesh.

Sh. Sukhu distributed high-end computerized telescopes (Sky-Watcher BKDOB 8” Collapsible GOTO) to two local beneficiaries, while other beneficiaries joined the programme virtually. These telescopes would be used to conduct night sky observations for tourists, thereby establishing Spiti as a unique destination for Astro-tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that it would also go a long way in integrating science with culture. He said that efforts were on to rope in local home-stays and hotel owners to take benefit of this project and it was a matter of happiness that people of Kaza, Langza and Rangrik areas were coming forward to avail this facility who would be provided telescopie and training.

Sh. Sukhu said that this programme was a first-of-its-kind effort in the region to harness Spiti’s pristine night skies, minimal light pollution and high-altitude clarity for Astro-tourism and stargazing activities. He said, "It is a new beginning in the history of the State and will strengthen the local economy by attracting more tourists in the area."

The Chief Minister emphasized that a collective effort by local tribal communities especially youths, scientific institutions and government agencies was essential to ensure the long-term success of this initiative. He lauded the proactive role of local tribal youth and homestay owners in embracing astronomy as a new opportunity for livelihood and also learning.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said that the strategic move behind integrating science and tourism through community-led models in remote regions like Spiti was envisaged by the Chief Minister in August, 2023

The programme is being coordinated by HIMCOSTE with active support from the office of ADC Spiti at Kaza. A tripartite MoU has been signed between HIMCOSTE, the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) recently and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) for scientific/technical guidance and long-term sustainability.

MLA Anuradha Rana, Principal Advisor (Media) to Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, ADGPs Satwant Atwal and Abhishek Trivedi, Special Secretary D.C. Rana and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

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Powers of Financial Commissioner (Appeals) delegated to Divisional Commissioners

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-In order to simplify and expedite the disposal of revenue revision cases under Section 17 of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act, 1954, the State Government has decided to delegate the powers of the Financial Commissioner (Appeals) to the Divisional Commissioners Shimla, Kangra, and Mandi Divisions. This delegation of powers would apply in cases where the Divisional Commissioners have not exercised appellate jurisdiction under Section 14 of the Act.

A spokesperson of the State Government informed here today that earlier, following the amendment of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act, 1954 through the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue (Amendment) Act, 2002, the powers of revision under Section 17 were confined solely to the Financial Commissioner (Appeals). Prior to this amendment, such powers were exercised by the Collectors and Divisional Commissioners, though final orders had to be passed by the Financial Commissioner (Appeals). This system resulted in duplication of proceedings and caused undue delays in resolving revenue cases.

It has been observed that after the 2002 amendment, there has been a sharp rise in the number of cases being filed before the Financial Commissioner (Appeals). As a result, people from remote and far-flung areas have been compelled to travel to Shimla repeatedly to pursue their cases, leading to significant inconvenience and increased litigation costs, said the spokesperson.

He further said that in light of these issues, the decision to empower Divisional Commissioners with visionary authority was aimed at decentralizing the process and enhancing public convenience. The citizens would now be able to seek redressal of their grievances at the divisional level, thereby saving time and money.

He said that this move would improve access to justice, reduce the burden on the Financial Commissioner (Appeals) and streamline the functioning of the revenue administration in the state.

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Explore possibility of setting up bamboo processing factory: CM

SHIMLA, 07.07.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired 215^th Board of Directors meeting of Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (HPSFDC) here on Monday and directed to incorporate modern technology in its functioning.

He instructed to equip all the timber go-downs of the HPSFDC with CCTV facilities to ensure better monitoring. He also directed to explore the possibility of setting up bamboo processing factory in Gagret area of Una district to provide remunerative prices to the farmers of Una, Kangra, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts. He asked to integrate National Transit Passes in the Corporation to facilitate the people.

The Chief Minister said that the HPSFDC had recorded a sale of Rs. 289.91 crore from timber, rosin and turpentine oil in the financial year 2024-25, earning net profit of Rs. 14.93 crore. The sale of HPSFDC was Rs. 267 crore in the financial year 2023-24 and it earned Rs. 7.88 crore net profit during the year. In addition to this, it also received royalty amounting to Rs. 41.30 crore from the silviculture felling.

Vice Chairman, H.P. State Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, Official and Non-official Members of the Board, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Secretary, Finance Devesh Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOFF) Samir Rastogi, Managing Director of HPSFDC Sanjay Sood and other senior officers also attended the meeting.