Himachal Pradesh Government

CM dedicates major development projects for Bilaspur
Says, Govind Sagar to become hub of Water based adventure activities

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu virtually dedicated eight major developmental projects to the people of district Bilaspur from New Delhi today. These include launching of water sports activities at Kol Dam, the inauguration of 110 KW roof top Solar Power plant in DC office constructed at a cost of 70 lakh making it Himachal's first Green DC Office. The Chief Minister dedicated the City Livelihood Centre constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, four Space Labs constructed at a cost of 40 lakhs and Model Career Centre constructed at a cost of 2.5 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that these projects reflect the commitment of state government towards the development of the district. He said that water based activities being introduced in the Gobind Sagar Lake region would boost water-based adventure tourism in a big way. This initiative will not only help Bilaspur to mark its presence on the tourism map but will also generate new employment opportunities for local youth. Chief Minister said that state government has accorded top priority to the tourism sector because it was the highest revenue generating industry adding that major chunk of GST income also comes from this sector. He said that the vision of the state government was to make Himachal Pradesh as the Tourist Capital of India. The State Government envisions a compact package for tourism promotion which include and will integrate Religious tourism, Eco tourism, Water Tourism, Nature Tourism, Health Tourism etc which can attract all kinds of tourists from the country and as well from abroad.

He said that state government has decided to develop new tourist destinations at cost of Rs. 2400 crores. Under the first phase wellness centres will be set up. He added that investment from private sector was being encouraged for setting up 200 hotels from 3 star to 7 star. These would be equipped with high end health and wellness centres with International standard facilities for providing high value tourist experience. He said that religious and eco tourism would be promoted in a big way and facilities in Shree Naina Devi ji would be upgraded by with an expenditure of Rs. 100 crores. Besides, Rs. 200 crore will be spent on construction of convention centre at Dharamshala. He said that Himachal Pradesh would emerge as a hub of Water Tourism soon. Cruise, Shikara, House boat, jet ski, motor boat and water scooter facilities are being developed in Govind Sagar Lake and other water bodies of the state which will not only boost water sports activities but also generate employment to local youth, he remarked. The government also intends to provide 5 percent interest subvention on loans to himachali youth for construction of hotels and homestays.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani in his address thanked the Chief Minister for his far sighted vision and plan for the development of Bilaspur district. He said that Chief Minister has always given priority to developmental needs of the district. He detailed about the ongoing projects and other local demands. He said that Himachal’s First Green DC Office complex was a major step fulfilling the States commitment to Green energy. A 110-kilowatt rooftop solar power plant has been installed in the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises, which will generate an average of 440 units of electricity per day and about 13,200 units per month. This will result in annual savings of nearly Rs 10 lakh in electricity bills. The plant is not only a step toward environmental sustainability but also sets an inspiring example of making government buildings energy self-sufficient, he remarked.

He further said that Livelihood Centre built in Bilaspur town at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore has been developed under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission. It will connect them with self-employment, skill training, and wage employment opportunities.

Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq said that these three projects being virtually inaugurated by the Chief Minister would become milestones in the fields of tourism, environmental sustainability, and employment generation in the district. Present among others on the occasion were Sunder Singh Thakur, MLA and former CPS, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, Former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bambar Thakur, public representatives, party leaders and officers of State Government.

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Governor felicitates special Olympics silver medalist Harshita Thakur

Harshita Thakur from Shimla, who won a silver medal for India in Snowboarding at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Italy, called on Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan today.

The Governor felicitated Harshita by presenting her with a Himachali cap and shawl as a token of appreciation. Congratulating her on this remarkable achievement, the Governor said that Harshita's hard work, dedication and determination had brought laurels to both the country and the State.

He added that Harshita has emerged as a source of inspiration for others, proving that with clear goals, relentless effort, and perseverance, no dream is impossible to achieve.

“Once a goal is set in life, and there is dedication and hard work to achieve it, no obstacle can stop the path to success. Harshita is a shining example of this spirit,” said the Governor.

During the interaction, Harshita also shared her experience of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after her medal-winning performance, which she described as a memorable and inspiring moment.

The Governor extended his best wishes to Harshita for her future endeavors and expressed hope that she would continue to excel and make the nation proud.

Harshita Thakur’s father Sohan Lal and mother Sarita Thakur were also present on the occasion.

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HAS Officers & Probationers call on Governor

A batch of 22 Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services (HAS) officers and probationers of 2024 batch, currently undergoing professional training at Dr. Manmohan Singh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Fairlawn called on the Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, at Raj Bhavan today.

Interacting with the trainee officers, the Governor congratulated them on joining the prestigious administrative services and urged them to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to public service. He said that the officers should not only function as administrators but also act as guides, collaborators and friends of the common people.

The Governor underlined the importance of commitment, integrity and a balanced temperament in administration. He advised the probationers to stay connected with the grassroots and understand the genuine concerns of the people they serve.

“Knowledge of laws and rules is essential, but what makes them a true officer is their sensitivity towards people’s issues and their dedication to solving them,” said the Governor. He said that these officers are expected to work with sincerity and contribute to the overall development of Himachal Pradesh and to taking the state to new heights.

Wishing them success in their future careers, the Governor said that the right attitude, commitment and a positive approach is a key for professional growth and for building a strong and prosperous nation.

Earlier Additional Director, HIPA, Prashant Sirkek briefed the Governor about the training programmes and courses being conducted during the probationers’ training. He thanked the Governor for his valuable guidance and encouragement to the young officers.

During the interaction, the HAS officers and probationers also shared their training experiences and engaged in a meaningful discussion with the Governor.

Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, Director Dr. MSHIPA Rupali Thakur and Course Director Sandeep Sharma were also present on the occasion.

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CM launches registration form for procurement of Turmeric
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the registration form for the farmers to sell raw turmeric grown through natural farming practices at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 90 per kilogram. This initiative, announced in the 2025–26 Budget, aims to strengthen the rural economy by providing a guaranteed price for turmeric and encouraging Natural Farming across Himachal Pradesh. The registration will be carried out by the Department of Agriculture, which will also provide training to farmers on Natural Farming techniques.

The raw turmeric procured from registered farmers will be processed at the upcoming Spice Park in Hamirpur. The processed turmeric will be branded and marketed as “Himachal Haldi,” offering both quality assurance and a unique identity in the market. “For the first time, government agencies will directly procure raw turmeric from farmers, which will be a game-changer for their livelihoods and ensure immediate cash flow, in the rural sector” said the Chief Minister.

He said that the state government is also procuring naturally grown wheat at Rs. 60 per kg and maize at Rs. 40 per kg. Additionally, over the last two years, the state has increased the milk procurement price by Rs. 21 per litre. Cow milk is now procured at Rs. 51 per litre, and buffalo milk at Rs. 61 per litre.

Currently, turmeric is cultivated across approximately 2,042.5 hectares in the state, yielding around 24,995 metric tonnes annually. The major turmeric-producing districts include Hamirpur, Kangra, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Solan. Turmeric has emerged as a promising livelihood option due to its high medicinal value, especially post-COVID-19, and growing demand in both domestic and International markets. Given its natural resistance to wild and stray animals, especially monkeys, and its lower labor requirements and longer post-harvest shelf life, turmeric cultivation aligns well with the challenges faced by Himachali farmers.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri, Vice Chairman of H.P. Forest Development Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, and Secretary (Agriculture) C. Paulrasu were also present on the occasion.

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HPSEBL to be strengthened: Chief Minister

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a review meeting of the Energy Department here today, reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and assured all possible support to ensure improved services for the people of the state.

The Chief Minister said that large-scale recruitment of field staff would be done to ensure seamless ground-level operations. He appreciated the vital role played by the HPSEBL officers and employees in maintaining consistent electricity supply across the state.

Sh. Sukhu stated that several HPSEBL officers were currently serving on deputation in the Directorate of Energy, Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Power Corporation. He directed that these officers be given the option to be permanently absorbed in their respective organization by April 30. The remaining vacant posts would be filled by the state government on priority to ensure efficient functioning of the organization.

He further said that the 100 MW Uhl Phase-III hydro power project would soon be formally inaugurated. The project, which had suffered damages due to a penstock burst on 17^th May, 2020 was expedited by the present state government with a provision of financial assistance of Rs. 185 crore. As a result, 2.97 crore units of electricity have already been generated since its commissioning. Initiated in 2003, the project has been completed after a span of 22 years, owing to the focused efforts of the present state government. Once fully operational, Uhl Phase-III is expected to generate 392 million units of electricity annually, contributing approximately Rs. 200 crore in revenue to the state each year.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Minister's Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Director Energy Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, Managing Director HPSEBL Sandeep Kumar, along with other senior officials of the department also attended the meeting.

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Vehicles flagged of under 'Care on wheels' initiative

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil today flagged off three vehicles under the 'Care on Wheels' initiative to provide health facilities to the people residing in Mandi, Kangra and Solan districts.

Around 25 types of test facilities will be provided to the patients through these vehicles, including TB tests through X-ray, complete blood count, albumin, HDL, uric acid and cholesterol tests. These vehicles will have facilities of palliative care, hand-held X-ray, X-ray machines and modern health equipment. Doctors and paramedical staff will provide quality treatment facilities in these vehicles.

These vehicles have been provided by Apollo Hospitals and HDFC under Corporate Social Responsibility. On this occasion, NHM Mission Director Priyanka Verma, NHM Deputy Mission Director Dr. Gopal Beri and other dignitaries were present.

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