SHIMLA -8 January, 2026

CM directs inclusion of online facilities in health services

· Committee to be constituted under chairmanship of Health Minister

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a review meeting with senior officers of the Health Department, National Health Mission and the Directorate of Medical Education.

The Chief Minister said that maximum online facilities would be integrated into health services to facilitate the people adding that to bring this into effect, a committee would be constituted under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil. The committee would submit its report within ten days.

The Chief Minister said that such online facilities would not only save time and resources, but will provide quality to services. He also directed the development of an online system for patient registration in various health institutions and hospitals.

The Chief Minister emphasized that under the Himcare Scheme, mapping should be ensured up to the panchayat level and that data related to patients’ treatment should also be included. He further directed the integration of the ABHA card with the Him Parivar Portal. The digital beginning will enhance transparency and accountability and make monitoring of services, maintaining online records and the grievance redressal mechanism will become more effective, he said

Sh. Sukhu said that of online health services would help in better planning and more effective administration besides promoting innovation and help achieve the goal of healthy citizens and a strong state.

He added that with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), health infrastructure in the state was being strengthened to improve the health services.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister (Innovation, Digital Technology and Governance) Gokul Butail, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Health Priyanka Basu Ingty and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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Chief Minister launches website of State allied and health care council

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the official website www.sahchp.in, of the State Allied and Health Care Council, Himachal Pradesh.
Lauding the initiative Chief Minister said that this was an important step towards promoting digital governance, transparency and efficiency in the allied and health care sector of the state which would serve as a reliable and user-friendly platform for health professionals, educational institutions, students and the general public, ensuring easy access to various services.
He said that Himachal Pradesh has been among the leading states in the country in implementing the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, (NCAHP) Act. With its implementation, the concept of “One Nation, One Curriculum, One Registration” would be strengthened. This would help ensure improved quality and uniform standards in allied and health care courses.
Chairman of the Council, Vinod Chauhan briefed the Chief Minister about the features of the website and about various activities being undertaken by the Council.
MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Secretary State Allied and Health Care Council Rajesh Kaushik and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
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Deputy CM raises key issues at National Transport meet

Requests to increase validity of Taxi permits to 15 years

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also holds the portfolio of Transport Minister, participated in the National level meeting of Transport Ministers and 43rd meeting of the Transport Development Council and held in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari.
During the meeting, Shri Agnihotri raised several important issues concerning the transport sector in Himachal Pradesh. He urged the Union Government to increase the validity of taxi permits to at least 15 years or up to the period the vehicle remains roadworthy, instead of the existing 12-year limit as prescribed by the Central Government.
Taking into account the state’s difficult topographical and geographical conditions and limited land availability, Sh. Agnihotri urged for the segregation of Driving Training Schools and Automated Testing Stations under the Centres cluster scheme. He emphasized that such segregation would enable the people of Himachal Pradesh to fully benefit from this centrally sponsored scheme. Additionally, he urged that the carrying capacity of goods vehicles, particularly Tippers, should be determined on the basis of the actual goods carried.
Agreeing with the concerns raised, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari assured that appropriate guidelines would be framed in this regard and that the Government of India would carefully consider the issues highlighted by hilly states like Himachal Pradesh, including the validity of permits, vehicle scrapping and infrastructure development.