Forest department to file review petition for regularization of roads under FRA provisions: CM

SHIMLA, 22.04.25-The Forest department will file a review petition in the Court before 10^th May, 2025, seeking regularization of roads constructed in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Forest department, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed the importance of pursuing legal recourse to regularize these roads in view of the larger public interest. He directed the department to take appropriate steps in this regard.

A total of 2,183 such roads have been identified across the state, including 613 in the Shimla zone, 821 in Mandi zone, 254 in Hamirpur zone, and 495 in Kangra zone. These roads were built prior to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 in Himachal Pradesh, which came into effect in the state in 2016. This Act aims to recognize and vest the forest rights in the forest dwelling communities, who have been residing in and dependent on forest land for at-least three generations.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary Law Sharad Kumar Lagwal, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Sanjay Sood and other senior officers attended the meeting.

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PRIs representatives express gratitude for honorarium hike

• CM urges people to provide support in curbing drug menace

SHIMLA, 22.04.25- A delegation of representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions of the State called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today and expressed their gratitude for enhancing their honorarium two times during the last two years. They said that for the first time in the history of the State, the representatives of PRIs have received such significant hike in their honorarium. They also presented their various demands to the Chief Minister and he assured them to consider their demands sympathetically.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that PRIs play a vital role in the development of rural areas. Former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi ensured 33 percent reservation to women in the PRIs through the historic 73^rd and 74^th amendment in the Constitution. This landmark move has empowered women and significantly contributed to their active participation in the development of the State.

Shri Sukhu said that the present State Government is prioritizing the upliftment of the people living in the rural areas and numerous steps have been taken in this regard. The State Government was offering Rs. 90 per kg MSP to Haldi, Rs. 60 per kg and Rs. 40 per kg for the naturally grown wheat and maize respectively. He said that the State Government has enhanced MNREGA daily wages by Rs. 80 in the last two years. He said that these measures will go a long way in strengthening the rural economy.

The Chief Minister also exhorted PRIs representatives to actively support the State Government's efforts in curbing the drug menace in their areas and said that the State Government is taking stern action against the drug peddlers. He said that PRIs representatives should share information regarding drug peddlers to the authorities and save the youth from falling prey to drug abuse.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Vivek Sharma and other prominent persons were also present on the occasion.

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Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot addressing a press conference at the State Congress Party Office

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and HPCC President Pratibha Singh presiding over a Congress party meeting at Rajeev Bhawan Shimla on 22nd April, 2025.

SHIMLA, 22.05.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and HPCC President Pratibha Singh presiding over a Congress party meeting at Rajeev Bhawan Shimla on 22nd April, 2025. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Co-Incharge of HP Congress Party Affairs Chetan Chauhan, Ministers, MLAs, Congress Party contesting candidates of Assembly elections- 2022, Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of various Boards and Corporations, as well as representatives from the Party’s frontal organisations.