Voice of Himalayan People - HimbuMail

SJVN Ad25

Himachal Day

NewIAS with President

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

State Civil Services Officers Meet President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. LBSNAA's 126th Programme.

Nadda in Bilaspur

Politics

Kuldeep Chauhan Editor-in-chief www.Himbumail.com

Nadda Slams Congress: "I Can Fix Eyes, But I Can’t Give Vision"

JPNadda in Bilaspur on March 6

Bar and Bench

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Govt Withdraws Controversial Advocates Act Amendment

Nerwa Residents Launch War on Drugs

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Nerwa, March 6 2025: Fed up with the rising drug menace,

HGV Samiti Submits Memo to MLA Harish Janartha

Latest

Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti Intensifies Anti-Drug Campaign, Submits Memorandum to MLA...

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Avalanche Hits Kumar Village in Pangi Valley, Essential Supplies Airdropped

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹65.46 Crore in Sikkim Bank Fraud Case

Siddhartha with GenDiwedi in New Delhi

Innovation & Achiever

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

General Upendra Dwivedi Flags Off Satyarup Siddhanta’s North Pole Expedition

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Drug Peddlers Caught, But Will the Real Kingpins Ever Be Brought Down to justice?

IBNegiDGPHPHimbuMail

Obit

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Himachal Pradesh Mourns First DGP Shri I.B. Negi

HP High Court Premises in Shimla

Bar and Bench

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

HP High Court Mourns Former Chief Justice V.K. Gupta

PlasticBankCampaignMeetDehradunOnMarch5,2025

Culture and Ecology

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

Dehradun Hits 300+ Plastic Banks Mark: Scientists, Teachers, and Activists Raise Alarm on Plastic Waste..

Latest

HimbuMailNewsService www.himbumail.com

NewDelhi: In a major breakthrough in a long-running cyber fraud case,

Trending

News

Himachal Day in Pangi: Pangwals Await for Better Connectivity, Asuured Markets and Prices for Their Organic Produce

Shimla / Pangi, April 13 — The remote and rugged Pangi Valley in Chamba district is brimming with anticipation as it prepares to host the first-ever state-level Himachal Day celebrations at Killar, the administrative headquarters of the valley, on April 15, 2025.

This event, led by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is being seen as a landmark in the region’s history, carrying hopes of long-awaited development.

According to official sources, the Chief Minister is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for a slew of developmental projects worth over ₹120 crore, aimed at addressing the chronic infrastructure and service gaps in the valley.

Major Inaugurations & Announcements Expected:

Road Connectivity Boost: CM will inaugurate the newly constructed Killar-Gulabgarh link road, significantly reducing travel time to Jammu & Kashmir and improving inter-state trade routes.

The road project, worth ₹48 crore, is expected to enhance emergency accessibility and boost local tourism.

Telecom Infrastructure: 12 new mobile towers will be commissioned to expand telecom coverage to over 85% of Pangi Valley, a game-changer for locals who have long suffered from communication blackouts.

Healthcare Services:

The CM is likely to inaugurate the upgraded Community Health Centre (CHC) at Killar, with telemedicine facilities and improved maternal care units, catering to around 15,000 residents across scattered hamlets.

Market Linkages for Organic Produce: The state government is expected to announce a special market facilitation scheme for tribal farmers of Pangi, focusing on organic rajma, pulses, and medicinal herbs — ensuring better prices and reduced dependence on middlemen.

Women's Expectations: Rs 1500 Scheme Release

Echoing their counterparts in Spiti, the women of Pangi are hopeful that the CM will release the next installment of the ₹1500 per month Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, a direct support scheme for women in tribal and remote regions. This would directly benefit over 3,200 women beneficiaries in Pangi Valley.

A Historic Visit

"This is the first time in history that a Chief Minister has chosen our valley for state-level celebrations. It feels like a dream," says Satish, Pradhan of Killar-1.

"We hope the CM will listen to our voices and give priority to our needs: better roads, reliable phone networks, healthcare, and guaranteed prices for our crops."

Adding to the optimism, Balbir, Pradhan of Kiryuni Gram Panchayat, remarked, "The Chief Minister's continuous engagement with tribal areas is reassuring. His visit to Pangi sends a strong message of inclusion. We trust he will address our woes."

Cultural Festivities & Community Spirit

The Himachal Day event is set to be a vibrant showcase of local culture, with folk dance performances, exhibitions of handicrafts, and displays of Pangi’s unique organic products.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend, with special transport arrangements being made by the district administration.

Administrative Push

Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Rajat Kumar, confirmed that all arrangements are in full swing. "This is not just an event but a historic opportunity to highlight the developmental aspirations of Pangi. Every department is mobilized," he said.

The decision to hold the state-level Himachal Day celebrations in Pangi is more than symbolic — it signals a new chapter for the valley

With the Chief Minister’s announcements, Pangwals hope this historic day will mark the beginning of long-overdue progress and prosperity for their land.

News

Wild Vyastha Parivartan: The Sukhu Sarkar Turns Forest Corporation Into a Liquor Vendor in Himachal

Shimla/Dharamshala, April 13: In a move that has sparked outrage across Himachal Pradesh, the Sukhu-led state government has brazenly directed the Himachal Forest Corporation (HFC) to operate retail liquor vends in rural areas of Kangra district — a blatant violation of the Corporation’s legal mandate.

As per the Memorandum of Articles, the Forest Corporation is strictly confined to forestry-related activities such as afforestation, plantations, and regulated forest produce handling.

However, the recent government notification, issued under the authority of the Commissioner of State Taxes and Excise, has shockingly handed over the operation of unsold liquor vends for the financial year 2025-26 to HFC.

"This is a specimen of the Sukhu government’s wild raj," slammed critics, accusing the state of recklessly pushing non-forestry commercial activities onto the forest department.

"Without applying its mind, the government is dragging a corporation meant for environmental stewardship into the liquor trade."

The timeline of events reveals the extent of bureaucratic complicity:

06-04-2025: Government decision issued.

07-04-2025: Principal Secretary (ST&E) chaired a meeting to decide on the fate of unsold liquor vends.

Following the auction-cum-tender process, the Excise Commissioner was directed to allocate the leftover vends — shockingly, not to private bidders or authorised vendors, but to the Forest Corporation.

Legal experts warn that this move could invite judicial scrutiny, as it directly contravenes the Forest Corporation’s founding principles and the broader mandate of environmental governance.

Concerned Citizens as well experts are furious, calling it an "assault" on their sentiments.

"Instead of promoting sustainable rural development, the government is flooding our villages with liquor shops under the guise of revenue generation, right inside forests" said one resident.

The incident raises uncomfortable questions: Is the government prioritising excise revenue over its constitutional duty towards forest conservation and rural welfare?

Has the desperate bid to meet liquor sale targets crossed all ethical lines?

Either way, the public sentiment is clear — this is a policy blunder of reckless proportions.

#ForestNotForLiquor #SukhuGovtExposed #WildRajInHP #KangraLiquorScandal #SaveOurForests #GovernanceGoneWrong #HimachalNews #ForestCorporationMisuse

Divinity and Spirituality

Devthis, Temples Reverberate In Baisakhi amid Blooming Apple Orchards and Devotion in Himachal

Spring in the Hills: Himachal Celebrates Baisakhi Amidst Blooming Orchards and Devotion

Shimla, April 13 — As spring breathes life into the valleys and slopes of Himachal Pradesh, the hills come alive with the colours of celebration.

Amidst the lush apple orchards, fields of golden mustard, and the brilliant red rhododendrons cloaking the mountains in a divine camouflage, the people of Himachal are welcoming the Spring Harvest Festival with joy and fervour.

The sweet scent of blooming apple orchards fills the air, mingling with the cool mountain breeze, while a steady stream of tourist traffic makes a beeline for the hills, eager to witness the region’s natural splendour and festive spirit.

From the early hours of the morning, long lines of devotees thronged the ancient Devthis, temples, and revered Shaktipeeths scattered across the region. Bells chimed harmoniously with devotional hymns as prayers filled the crisp mountain air.

Farmers, their faces bright with hope, offered thanks and sought blessings for a bountiful harvest season.

Baisakhi marks not just the harvest festival but also the traditional New Year according to the Indian calendar, celebrated under various names across the country — Bihu in Assam, Poila Boishakh in West Bengal, Vishu in Kerala, and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.

The spirit of renewal and gratitude echoed from the North-East hills to the Southern shores, uniting diverse communities in celebration.

For the devout, this date carries profound significance. April 13 commemorates the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a historic moment of spiritual awakening and courage.

Yet, it also remains a solemn reminder of the horrors of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which unfolded on this day in 1919.

Looking ahead, April 14 is marked by tributes to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, whose vision continues to inspire the nation.

As prayers and festivities intertwine with the beauty of spring, the mood across Himachal’s hills is one of gratitude, hope, and shared joy, as people pray for a generous harvest and a prosperous year ahead.

#SpringInHimachal #HarvestFestival #BloomingOrchards #BaisakhiCelebrations #HillsAreCalling

News

Tribals Raise RedFlag over Cut in Tribal Budget in Himachal

Outcry Over Budget Cuts for Tribal Areas in Himachal Pradesh: Former Leaders and Locals Raise Voice Against the State Government and MLA Anuradha Rana...

Shimla/Keylong: Former Minister and Lahaul-Spiti MLA Dr. Ram Lal Markande, along with Ravi Thakur, former MLA and now a turncoat critic of the government, have raised serious allegations against the state administration, accusing it of drastically slashing the budget allocated under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for the tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh.

This decision has sparked widespread anger and discontent among the local population.

They have not given figures on the cut on budget, but they have targeted Rana and are going from village to village in their bid to rope in locals to rally behind them.

They have sought answer from the sitting Congress MLA Anuradha Rana, who so far has not reacted to the criticism from her opponents and locals, who had High hopes on her.

Historical Context:

During the 1974-79 Five-Year Plan, it was mandated that at least 9% of the total state budget must be allocated for Scheduled Tribe (ST) areas.

Distribution of funds among tribal areas was laid out as:

Kinnaur: 30%

Lahaul: 16%

Spiti: 18%

Pangi: 16%

Bharmour: 19%

The funding structure includes contributions from both the state and central governments, Special Central Assistance (SCA) under Article 275 of the Constitution, and schemes from the Ministry of Social Justice.

As per budget estimates of 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh earmarked approximately ₹798 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan, which was already a marginal decrease from the previous year.

In the revised estimates, however, allocations were reduced by over ₹100 crore, raising concerns that development works like road connectivity, healthcare facilities, education, and livelihood schemes would suffer.

Local leaders argue that while tunnels and improved roads have made access easier, the harsh geographical realities and inadequate health and public services continue to impact the lives of tribal residents severely.

Ground Voices:

Local resident Himal Singh Thakur from Sashin village remarked:

"Tunnels have eased travel, but they can’t change the geography or the hardships we endure every winter. Policymakers should experience life here in places like Chhika Rari, Koskar, Telling, Yangla, Tino, Myad, Khungser — only then will they understand our daily struggles.

#TribalRights #HimachalPradesh #BudgetCuts #InclusiveDevelopment #VoicesFromTheMountains

News

HP CM Sukhu Pushes for BRO Takeover of Four Roads in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur

Himachal's Road to Nowhere? CM’s Proposal for BRO Takeover Sparks Debate on Delays, Corruption, and Accountability

Shimla, April 12:

Even as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu proposes fresh takeovers of key mountain roads by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) — including the vital Leo-Chango and Shiv Mandir–Gue stretches — concerns are growing over the state’s inconsistent approach to road development and the BRO's checkered record in Himachal Pradesh.

CM took the matter here today with DG BRO Raghu Srinivasan.

The state government has often oscillated between assigning critical road projects to the Public Works Department (HPPWD) and then shifting them to BRO, a practice that has led to prolonged delays and confusion on the ground.

Notably, stretches like Tandi–Udaipur–Killar and Gramphu–Kunjam –Kaza, once left languishing under state management, were eventually handed over to BRO.

Construction is going on since decades, but a little progress, lamented the tribals and tourists who face road blockades and landslides on these roads every year.

These routes are only now seeing upgradation after years of stagnation.

However, BRO’s own track record is under scrutiny.

Accusations of corruption have dogged the agency for years, particularly in high-altitude road projects where costs escalate and oversight is weak.

Tribal communities in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti allege that despite crores of rupees being spent annually, BRO has repeatedly failed to stabilise chronic landslide zones, rendering routes hazardous and cutting off entire valleys during monsoons and winter.

"Every year, we see funds being pumped in, but the results remain dangerously inadequate," says a local activist from Spiti.

"The unstable slopes and crumbling roads put lives at risk, and yet no one is held accountable."

While the Chief Minister lauded BRO’s efforts in inhospitable terrains, the ground reality paints a bleaker picture.

Critics argue that without clear accountability and scientific interventions in fragile zones, merely shifting road projects between departments will continue to waste public funds and delay reliable connectivity for Himachal’s remote communities.

The latest proposals, including the Wangtu–Attargoo–Mudh–Bhawa Pass road connecting Kinnaur with Lahaul, once again place BRO at the center of Himachal’s infrastructure ambitions.

Whether this results in durable roads or yet another round of missed deadlines and financial drain remains to be seen.

Top News

Motive

The mainstream media houses dominated by the city- centric editors have been indifferent to the problems and issues faced by the Himalayan people down the centuries. HimbuMail is born to fill this gap and seeks to become their real voice.

News Coverage

City Explore

💰 Donate TO Us !

Why Donate ?

HimbuMail is new web newsepaper and is being run on no-profit basis by professionals, who need financial support for sustainable operation of the web news portal.

your support is Supreme!

Subscribe to HimbuMail

Himbumail
Install App on Your Device