SHIMLA-1^st November, 2025

222 automatic milk collection units installed in State: Chief Minister

• Presides over review meeting of MilkFED

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited here today, directed to ensure better marketing and high quality of its products.

He said that a milk processing centre would be established in Karcham or Tapri in Kinnaur district to make its products available to the army and local people. He said that the possibility of operating both milk processing plants located at Duttnagar of Shimla district on an outsource basis should be considered to ensure further increase in production.

Directions were given for preparing of a proposal to set up a new milk powder plant in the already existing milk processing plant in Mandi district. He said that the federation has recorded the highest increase in milk procurement during this financial year and 29 new bulk milk coolers have been installed.

Multi-level efforts have been made to increase the number of milk-producing co-operative societies with their number has increased to 716 as of now. The number of farmers selling milk to Milkfed has also increased significantly, now exceeding 40,000.

Federation President Buddhi Singh Thakur, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Secretary Health M. Sudha Devi, Managing Director Vikas Sood, Senior Manager Preeti and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

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CM releases two data driven publications of Statistical department

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today released two key statistical publications, Statistical Abstract of Himachal Pradesh 2024-25: Data Visualization and Statistical Year Book 2024-25, prepared by the Department of Economics and Statistics, Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister commended the department’s continued efforts to strengthen data-driven governance in the State. He said that credible, transparent and timely data forms the foundation of sound development planning and ensures that growth benefits reach every citizen, particularly those in remote and vulnerable regions.

The 2024-25 edition introduces innovative data visualization features like, charts, graphs, maps and color-coded representations, which make the information more accessible, intuitive and user-friendly for policymakers, researchers, officials and the general public. These publications provide valuable insights across key sectors including agriculture, education, health, industry, infrastructure, finance, digital services and public welfare programmes.

Sh. Sukhu further highlighted that in today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, evidence-based policymaking is critical to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, adding that these publications represent an important milestone in Himachal Pradesh’s commitment towards modern and technology-enabled governance.

Secretary (Economics & Statistics) Dr. Abhishek Jain informed that similar datasets were also accessible online through the Digital Himachal Portal, ensuring public availability, transparency and ease of access. He highlighted the government’s vision of leveraging technology to support informed planning and improve service delivery outcomes for citizens.

Economics Adviser Dr. Vinod Rana stated that the enriched format of the Statistical Abstract has been developed to help administrators, planners, scholars and stakeholders to derive meaningful insights quickly. He further expressed gratitude to all data-providing departments, boards, corporations, and public sector undertakings for ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information.

Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Home K.K. Pant, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.

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CM vows to wipe out Chitta from Himachal

·State-level Anti-chitta rally on November 15

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a high-level meeting here today said that the State government would launch a decisive battle against Chitta from November 15 this year to eradicate this menace completely. A comprehensive and multi-level campaign against Chitta will be organized over the next three months.

The campaign will be launched by the Chief Minister on 15^th November 2025 at Shimla with "Anti-Chitta Rally" from the Ridge to Chaura Maidan. MLA's, dignitaries, students and people from all sections of society will participate in this rally. During the three-month campaign, comprehensive strategy to combat Chitta followed by strict actions against Chitta Mafia will be taken till grass root level.

The Chief Minister himself will monitor this campaign at the state level. Chief Minister has directed that all the government representatives, police, various departments, volunteers, students and others will work unitedly at various levels to make this campaign a success. A special focus will be placed on drug prevention awareness.

Anti-Chitta rallies will be held at the district, sub-division and other levels. A special cell will be formed within the police department to eradicate Chitta from the State.

The Chief Minister stated that the police department has identified the panchayats in the state which are most affected by Chitta and special attention would be given to these panchayats. Anti-Chitta volunteers will be trained in colleges. The police department will develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure the success of the campaign.

To prevent the illegal trade and use of narcotics and drugs in the state, drug prevention committees will be formed at the panchayat level. A notification for this has been issued, stated Sh. Sukhu. The committee will consist of seven members including the chairperson and will hold regular monthly meetings, preparing detailed reports on Chitta and related activities in the area and sharing them with law enforcement agencies. These committees will organize various awareness programs in schools and other public places on drug prevention and its adverse effects and submit their reports and coordinate with the respective Deputy Commissioners in the district.

The Chief Minister said that the drug prevention committees would play a pivotal role in drug prevention and curbing the illegal drug trade uptill the Panchayat level.

Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Home K.K. Pant, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Secretary Finance Abhishek Jain and senior officials were present at the meeting. (eom)

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Press Statement issued by Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar on 1st November, 2025

Agriculture Minister Shri Chander Kumar advised Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur to refrain from making baseless and spiteful statements. He said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was making extensive efforts to provide relief to the disaster-affected people.

He informed that the recent natural calamity during monsoons caused a loss of nearly Rs.18000 crore to the State and the Chief Minister has been working tirelessly to compensate for the loss of life and property from the existing resources. The Chief Minister has been regularly meeting Union Ministers to apprise them of the real-time situation and to seek assistance for the affected families. Despite these continuous efforts, the Centre has not extended the expected support largely due to the repeated obstruction by the BJP leaders of the State.

The Minister said that the State Government has released a special relief package of Rs. 4500 crore from its own resources during 2023 similar disaster. The centre government didn’t release a single penny then. The government has significantly increased the compensation being provided to disaster-affected people, including farmers, horticulturists, shopkeepers, displaced families, and rural as well as urban households, managing the affairs from its own. Instead of acknowledging these facts, the statements made by the Leader of Opposition on this matter are ridiculous, he added.

Chander Kumar said that instead of fulfilling his responsibilities and raising genuine public issues, Jai Ram Thakur remains occupied with baseless rhetoric. The Opposition is merely trying to mislead the people, he added.

The Minister stated that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was ensuring the overall development of the State. While during the BJP regime, Himachal ranked 21st in the field of education, under the present government’s policies, the State has now achieved 5th position in terms of quality education.

He said that the previous BJP government opened educational institutions only for political gain, without appointing adequate staff. In contrast, the present government was ensuring availability of teachers and staff in schools. As part of educational reforms, 100 schools were being converted into CBSE-based institutions in the first phase.

Highlighting the agricultural sector, the Minister said that the previous BJP government neglected the interests of farmers, whereas the present government was committed to strengthening the rural economy. In the past two years, the State Government has increased the support price of cow milk to Rs.51 per litre and buffalo milk to Rs.61 per litre. Similarly, wheat produced through natural farming and barley grown in the Pangi area are being procured at Rs.60 per kg, maize at Rs.40 per kg, and raw turmeric at Rs.90 per kg. These initiatives are ensuring fair returns to farmers for their hard work.

Chander Kumar urged the Leader of Opposition to rise above political accusations and acceof the State Government

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Government announces major gift for Class IV employees

The State Government has taken yet another major decision in the interest of its employees. Under the new provision, Class-IV employees who were regularized after 15th May 2003, will now be granted one year of regular service benefit, for every five years of daily wage service, for the purpose of pension calculation. Accordingly, a maximum of two years of regular service benefit will be counted for employees having ten years or more of daily wage service.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a high-level meeting announced this decision. He said that this move would particularly benefit those Class-IV employees who were earlier deprived of pension benefits at the time of their retirement due to having less than ten years of regular service. Now, with this relaxation, one year of regular service will be counted for every five years of daily wage service. The maximum 2 years qualifying service against 10 years daily wage service will be considered for grant of pension under the CCS pension Rule 1972.

The Chief Minister further stated that the Government would also provide these Class-IV employees an opportunity to opt for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) once again. He recalled that immediately after assuming office, the present State Government reinstated the Old Pension Scheme in the State, ensuring social and financial security for its employees.

Sukhu reiterated that the State Government remains fully committed to safeguarding the interests of its employees and continues to extend financial and welfare benefits to them from time to time.

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CM pays glowing tribute at State-level event marking 350th Martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participated in the State-level function organised by Shree Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla, at the Ridge on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

The Chief Minister carried the sacred Saroop of Shree Guru Granth Sahib Ji on his head in a mark of reverence and placed it respectfully on the stage. He said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji would always be remembered as a great warrior, spiritual leader, and protector of the motherland. His ideals, values and supreme sacrifice continue to inspire humanity to uphold righteousness and compassion.

Sh. Sukhu said that the teachings and life philosophy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji serve as a guiding light for the youth to build a bright and strong future.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured Jathedar Shree Akal Takht Sahib Amritsar, Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj.

President of Shree Guru Singh Sabha Shimla Jaswinder Singh presented a Siropa to the Chief Minister.

MLA's Harish Janartha, Hardeep Singh Bawa, Chief Minister’s Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, former Speaker HP Vidhan Sabha Dr. Rajeev Bindal, former Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, OSD to CM Gopal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, SP Sanjeev Gandhi and other dignitaries were also present.