SHIMLA -6^th December, 2025

CM pays tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, at Chaura Maidan, Shimla on his death anniversary.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Dr. Ambedkar was a visionary statesman and a pioneering social reformer who dedicated his life to upholding equality, justice, and the rights of marginalized communities. He added that while drafting the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar ensured equal rights for all citizens and made an invaluable contribution to strengthening democratic values in the country.

The Chief Minister stated that Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy continues to inspire and guide the nation in building a progressive and inclusive India.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, PCC President Vinay Kumar, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Advocate General Anoop Rattan, former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir, Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Gandhi, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Chief Minister chairs 63rd Raising Day of Home Guards and Civil Defence

• State to induct women in fire services
• · To commence recruitment of home guards soon

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today presided over the State-level function marking the 63rd Raising Day of Himachal Pradesh Home Guards and Civil Defence, held at Sarogheen, Shimla.

Extending his greetings to the personnel of Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire Services and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Chief Minister said that these departments have made exceptional contributions to the safety, security and development of the State. He informed that Home Guards and Fire Services successfully carried out 708 search and rescue operations during the year, saving 448 lives. Their professional efficiency also helped protect property worth Rs.2,000 crore from damage. In addition, the department restored 1,035 water sources and water bodies, a commendable achievement, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said that the State Government is giving special priority to women empowerment as part of its broader vision of Vyavastha Parivartan. He announced that women would now be inducted into the Fire Services, and necessary amendments to recruitment rules would be made soon. Recruitment to the Home Guards would also commence shortly.

He stated that the Government is taking continuous steps to strengthen the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department. During the present tenure, four new fire stations have been established at Deha, Ubadesh, Nerwa and Indora. This year, 27 new fire tenders have been procured and 150 posts sanctioned to operate these units. The Government has allocated Rs.55 crore under the Fire Services Modernization Scheme, while advanced equipment worth Rs.6 crore has been provided to the SDRF to enhance its operational capacity. This includes drones for aerial surveys, search operations and monitoring disaster-prone areas, significantly boosting preparedness and response capabilities.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the State Government has extended maternity leave benefits to women Home Guards, ensuring essential support and job security during maternity.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the ‘Miracle of Mind’ mobile application, developed in collaboration with the Isha Foundation, aimed at strengthening efforts against drug abuse.

He also honoured various units and personnel of the department for their outstanding performance. The Home Guards and Civil Defence Department presented a ‘Safe Himachal’ demonstration featuring fire-fighting and search-and-rescue mock drills.

Earlier, Additional Director General Satwant Atwal Trivedi welcomed the Chief Minister and presented a detailed account of the department’s activities. She informed that Home Guards and Fire Services conducted nearly 11,000 mock drills and 3,000 awareness camps, training around two lakh citizens.

Deputy Commandant General Arvind Parashar proposed the vote of thanks.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Bhagat Negi, Additional Director General of Police Abhishek Trivedi, Special Secretary Sudesh Mokhta and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Himachal excels in Tech reforms with bold governance overhaul

HP gets ‘People First Integration Award’

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has placed strong emphasis on digital transformation across governance and education, aiming to position Himachal Pradesh as an emerging “IT Hub.” Under the Vyavastha Parivartan initiative, the State Government has introduced a series of technology-driven reforms.

The Chief Minister said that automation of departmental processes and services is significantly improving efficiency, transparency and citizen convenience. The rollout of e-Office marked a major shift toward paperless administration by enabling digital file movement, workflow automation and document management. As of today, 98 directorates, 59 Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices, 88 Block Development Offices, all DC and SP offices, and 254 other field offices besides 108 branches of HP Secretariat are operating on the e-Office system.

Key citizen services such as Bonafide Himachali, Legal Heir, Land Holding, EWS, Income and BPL certificates, utility bill payments, and benefits under schemes like Beti Hai Anmol Yojna are now available digitally. New modules like My Deed and a simplified Jamabandi format have digitized property registration and Patwar circles activities, enabling registration without visiting government offices.

To improve access in rural areas, 1,226 new Lok Mitra Kendras have been established, providing HimachalSeva portal services at the doorstep.

The HimSeva e-District Portal now delivers 449 services through a single-window platform. In the last three years alone, 233 services have been added, with DigiLocker integration enabling citizens to securely access digital documents. The Department of Digital Technology and Governance (DDT&G) has also integrated 51 HimSeva services along with Him Parivar and Him Access Cards on the DigiLocker platform, an achievement that earned the State the ‘People First Integration Award’ from the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Himachal was also recognized as the best performing State for Aadhaar enrolment of children aged 0-5 years. Additionally, the Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline won national awards for Innovation in Public Systems and Digital Transformation.

The Government is also moving ahead with major IT infrastructure projects, including a planned Cyber City at Waknaghat and IT Parks in Kangra and Shimla to attract data storage, AI and tech enterprises, thereby generating employment for youth.

Digital innovations such as face authentication for PDS beneficiaries have enhanced transparency. The State is also promoting the use of drones in agriculture, disaster management and healthcare, alongside plans for commercial drone taxi services and dedicated drone stations.

Himachal’s first digital library equipped with RFID and touchscreen systems has been inaugurated in Bilaspur. A Chief Minister-led Council for Digital Governance has been set up with experts from IITs, ISB and industry, supported by an Innovation Fund of Rs. 2 crore to encourage young innovators.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the achievements of the last three years reflect the Government’s committed and practical approach towards progress, development and prosperity of the State under Vyavastha Parivartan and a leap forward introducing digital technologies.

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