SHIMLA: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) concluded its three-day state conference in Shimla’s Kalibari Hall, forming a 32-member state committee and electing Sanjay Chauhan as the new state secretary.
Despite having no MLA in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, CPIM leaders are promising to spearhead people-centric movements and present themselves as an alternative to Congress and BJP in the state.
The conference saw participation from top leaders, including Subhashini Ali, Tapan Sen, and A. Vijay Raghavan, who underscored the party’s commitment to tackling pressing issues faced by workers, farmers, students, women, and marginalized communities.
But the larger question remains—can CPIM carve out a space in a state where the political battlefield is dominated by Congress and BJP?
Leadership Amid Challenges
The new committee, including Dr. Onkar Shad, Rakesh Singha, Dr. Kashmir Thakur, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, and Kushal Bhardwaj, has pledged to focus on grassroots issues.
The party has also set up a three-member Control Commission chaired by Jagmohan Thakur.
Addressing the gathering, CPIM new general secrteary Sanjay Chauhan, who has been a former Shimla Mayor criticized both BJP at the Centre and Congress in the state, accusing them of implementing anti-people neoliberal policies.
SanjayChauhan
“Under Modi’s leadership, India has become a tale of two countries—one where the rich thrive and another where the poor suffer,” he said.
Promises of a People’s Movement
Chauhan announced CPIM’s plans to launch mass movements on public issues, ranging from unemployment and inflation to labor rights and communal harmony.
He targeted the BJP government’s labor reforms, which replaced 44 labour laws with four labor codes, calling them “anti-worker.”
He further criticized the Himachal Congress government for burdening the public with economic policies like installing smart meters.
“These policies are no different from the BJP’s. Both parties are pushing people into deeper financial distress,” Chauhan said.
Constitutional Attacks and Communal Politics
Chauhan accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to dismantle the constitutional framework over the past decade.
“The Modi government’s policies have deepened the divide between the rich and poor. While billionaires grow in number, hunger and poverty have escalated. India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index and Human Development Index has nosedived,” he said.
He also blamed RSS-backed organizations for disturbing communal harmony in Shimla, alleging tacit support from Congress leaders. “This exposes both parties, leaving CPIM as the only genuine alternative for the people,” he claimed.
Reality Check: Can CPIM Be an Alternative?
While the CPIM’s rhetoric against the establishment is sharp, its practical influence in Himachal remains negligible.
Without representation in the Assembly, the party’s ability to impact policy or mobilize large-scale support will be a Himalayan task.
Moreover, in a state where politics revolves around the BJP and Congress, CPIM faces an uphill battle in convincing voters of its relevance.
The Road Ahead
Despite its challenges, the CPIM is banking on public disenchantment with the two dominant parties.
Whether the party’s new leadership can translate its promises into actionable change remains uncertain, but the narrative they are pushing—of being a pro-people alternative—appear as of now too difficult to resonate with the people.
The coming months will test CPIM’s ability to move beyond conference halls and connect with the ground realities of Himachal’s electorate.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill Passed at Midnight: The End of a Parallel System or a Political Flashpoint?
New Delhi/Shimla | April 3 – In a dramatic midnight session, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, setting the stage for a new political and legal battle over the control of religious endowment properties.
The next test this Bill face, will be in Rajya Sabha where the number is also with the NDA.
The bill, which expands government oversight over waqf lands and allows non-Muslim members on waqf boards, has divided political and public opinion, with BJP leaders celebrating it as a historic reform and opposition parties decrying it as an attack on minority rights.
What is Waqf? Understanding the History and Purpose
The concept of waqf dates back centuries and refers to a religious endowment made by Muslims for charitable, educational, or religious purposes.
Once a property is declared as waqf, it cannot be sold, transferred, or inherited and is meant to serve public welfare indefinitely.
But which legal authority and how and when declared waqf properties, nobody has an answer.
For that matter if one goes by Owaisi's line, waqf properties are that of Allah, then which legal authority gives or allot these properties to Waqf in the name of Allah?
It is generally believed that Mosques, madrasas, idgah, kabristan or cemeteries, and properties generating rental income for community projects fall under waqf administration.
But not all of them and not everywhere, this is case.
After independence, the Waqf Act of 1954 (later amended in 1995 and 2013) formalized the waqf system in India, creating state waqf boards under the control of the Central Waqf Council.
Over time, these boards amassed over 6 lakh acres of land across the country, making them one of the largest landowners in India. No GST, No tax and nothing to state or Central exchequer?
If one goes by this diktate, the purpose seemed to be clear—to use these properties for the upliftment of the Muslim community, particularly in education and welfare.
However, the lack of government oversight turned many waqf boards into closed-door institutions where corruption, mismanagement, and land scams became common.
The Controversy: What the New Bill Changes
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill brings major changes to the system, addressing longstanding concerns about opaque dealings in waqf properties and the unchecked power of waqf boards. Key changes include:
Government can now review and regulate waqf properties, ensuring that they are used for the public good rather than personal or political gains.
Non-Muslim members can now be appointed to waqf boards, breaking the monopoly of self-styled religious leaders.
State intervention in waqf land disputes is strengthened, preventing unauthorized land transfers or illegal leasing of properties.
Political Firestorm: BJP vs INDIA Alliance
As expected, the bill has triggered strong political reactions, with the INDIA bloc unanimously opposing it while the BJP and its allies have defended it as a long-overdue reform.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the bill as a “historic moment for independent India”, asserting that it will end decades of corruption within waqf boards and ensure that waqf properties serve their true purpose rather than becoming tools of political appeasement.
Home Minister Amit Shah went further, calling waqf boards “a parallel system of land control that operated outside Indian law”, adding that “no religious institution can be above national governance.”
Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party strongly opposed the bill, claiming that it is another BJP ploy to suppress Muslim representation and that this move will strip minority communities of their autonomy over religious affairs.
However, critics argue that Congress has never questioned the accountability of waqf boards despite numerous reports of financial mismanagement.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the bill a direct attack on Islam, stating that “waqf properties belong to Allah, and no government can interfere with them”, adding that Muslims are being systematically targeted under the guise of reforms.
What
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav echoed these sentiments, alleging that the BJP is playing divisive politics to polarize voters before elections, while TMC chief Mamata Banerjee called the bill an assault on secularism.
CPM and DMK also opposed the bill, warning that it would set a dangerous precedent for government intervention in religious affairs and weaken the constitutional promise of religious freedom.
On the other hand, Anurag Thakur and other BJP leaders dismissed these claims, stating that “waqf boards have long operated without scrutiny, and it is time they are made accountable like any other institution in India.”
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and other NDA allies supported the bill, arguing that “appeasement politics has kept real issues hidden for too long.”
Implications for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
With the bill now in force, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—two BJP-ruled states where waqf properties have been controversial—will likely see immediate action.
In Himachal, several disputes over waqf-controlled land in Shimla, Solan, and Kangra have led to allegations that public land was wrongfully taken over by waqf boards.
Local BJP leaders have long called for an investigation, arguing that valuable properties in prime locations have been leased out under dubious terms.
The new bill could trigger fresh legal battles over ownership and rightful use of these lands.
In Uttarakhand, the issue is even more sensitive. Haridwar, Dehradun, and Udham Singh Nagar have seen multiple waqf-related disputes, particularly in religiously significant areas where land ownership is contested.
Last year, the state government launched a survey of waqf lands, leading to clashes between authorities and waqf board members.
With this bill now law, the BJP is likely to push for stricter waqf regulations in the state, framing it as a move to “liberate” land from illegal encroachments.
Beyond Politics: What’s Next for Waqf Properties?
While waqf institutions were originally created for community welfare, the reality today is far more complex.
There are glaring issues of corruption, lack of transparency, and political influence that have diverted waqf’s intended role.
Many waqf-funded madrasas and schools lack proper infrastructure, and funds meant for educating underprivileged Muslims are often unaccounted for.
The new bill could bring much-needed reforms, but it also raises critical questions—how will state intervention affect waqf autonomy?
Will this bill actually improve the condition of poor Muslims, or is it just another political tool?
If BJP’s real intention is to reform waqf governance, then it must ensure that waqf properties are utilized for real educational and welfare programs, rather than merely being controlled by new political appointees.
While the opposition claims this is an assault on religious freedom, they have failed to offer any alternative solutions to the deep-rooted problems within waqf boards.
Similarly, while the BJP portrays this as a clean-up operation, its leaders must answer how this law will ensure genuine welfare for underprivileged Muslims rather than becoming just another land battle.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is more than just a legal reform—it is a statement on how India balances religion, governance, and accountability.
With legal challenges likely and political tensions rising, one thing is certain—the way waqf properties are managed in India will never be the same again.
HPMC Under Fire: Apple Growers Slam the Sukhu government mainky horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi for Leasing CA Stores to Private Players.. HOMC remains in the red over years and Negi has no plan to bring professionalism to the organization.
Shimla, April 2: Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are up in arms against the Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi and the Himachal Pradesh Marketing Corporation (HPMC) for leasing out its Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores to private players.
The move, they say, not only betrays the interests of the farmers but also exposes the larger failure of HPMC in fulfilling its original mandate.
HPMC was initially established to break the monopoly of commission agents in Delhi and provide direct market access to apple growers.
It successfully transported and sold Himachal apples in various markets, liberating farmers from exploitative middlemen.
However, over the years, the organization has deteriorated into little more than a seller of pesticides, agricultural tools, and packaging materials, all while failing to establish itself as a serious market player.
HPMC’s Failure to Reform
Under the leadership of Minister Jagat Singh Negi, HPMC has failed to revamp itself.
Losses are mounting, corruption is high.
Despite receiving significant financial support from the World Bank-funded Apple Rejuvenation Project, the corporation has chosen to lease its upgraded cold storage facilities to private players instead of directly benefiting the growers.
Apple farmers argue that this will lead to monopolistic control by private entities, leaving them at the mercy of non-transparent pricing mechanisms.
"Instead of working for the welfare of growers, HPMC has washed its hands off the matter.
It has betrayed farmers by handing over crucial infrastructure to private businesses that will dictate storage rates and conditions," said Lokinder Bisht, President, PGA.
Corruption and Mismanagement
HPMC has also come under fire for procuring substandard tools and machines—including sprayers, cutters, fertilizers, spray oils, cartons, and trays—and selling them to farmers at inflated prices, chargeed growers.
Farmers allege rampant corruption in the procurement process, further burdening them financially.
Moreover, HPMC lacks professional market managers and is instead run by politicians and bureaucrats who have little to no expertise in horticultural trade and industry.
This has left the organization in perpetual financial distress, failing to provide apple growers with a reliable alternative to private traders.
Broken Promises and Absence from Market Yards
In 2023, the horticulture minister had announced with much fanfare that HPMC would enter Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yards as a commission agent to provide growers better rates.
However, in 2024, HPMC was conspicuously absent from these yards, failing to deliver on its promise.
Now, by leasing out its CA stores to private players, it has completely stepped away from its role in ensuring fair prices for farmers.
The only silver lining, farmers say, is HPMC’s decision to procure apples under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in crates instead of bags and the introduction of the universal carton last year.
However, these steps are far from enough to restore faith in the organization.
Demand for Accountability
Farmers’ associations, including the Progressive Growers Association (PGA), are now demanding accountability from the horticulture minister.
"The incompetence of the horticulture minister needs to be called out. If HPMC continues down this path, it will completely lose its relevance, said the farmers.
"We need an immediate rollback of this decision and a clear roadmap for HPMC to function as a pro-farmer organization," said Bisht.
The big question remains: Does the World Bank’s funding regulations even allow for the leasing out of these facilities to private players?
If not, this could be yet another scandal in the making.
With the apple season fast approaching, growers are now gearing up for protests, demanding that HPMC either fulfill its mandate or be restructured entirely.
The ball is now in the court of the government—will it act in the interest of the farmers or bow down to private interests?
SJVN Adds Green Energy to Its Kitty with 241.77 MW Solar Power in Bikaner
Shimla, April 2, 2025: In a major boost to India’s renewable energy sector, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a subsidiary of SJVN, has successfully commissioned 241.77 MW capacity in Phase-I of the ambitious 1000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project.
The project, located in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, is part of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme – Phase II, Tranche III, under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
It is being implemented under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) mode, reinforcing the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by promoting indigenous solar manufacturing.
SJVN plans to fully commission the project by September 30, 2025. Once operational at full capacity, the solar power generated will be supplied to Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, strengthening their green energy portfolio.
The 1000 MW project is a significant step toward India’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. It also aligns with SJVN’s long-term goal of becoming a 25,000 MW company by the same year.
SJVN’s latest achievement underscores its commitment to clean energy and sustainability, making substantial contributions to India’s renewable energy roadmap.
With each milestone, the company is cementing its role as a key player in the nation’s transition to a greener future.
Shimla: In a stunning turn of events, Desraj, Director, electrical HPPCL and the prime accused in the mysterious death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi, has moved the Supreme Court seeking bail through a Special Leave Petition.
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