HP Cabinet Approves Purchase of 297 Electric Buses for HRTC - HimbuMail

Shimla, March 28 – The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved several major decisions on Friday:

Education Reforms: The Directorate of Elementary Education has been upgraded to the Directorate of School Education, overseeing pre-nursery to Class 12.

The government also amended RTE rules to introduce board exams for Class 5 and Class 8, with a re-exam provision for failed students.

Public Transport: The Cabinet approved the purchase of 297 electric buses and 24 air-conditioned luxury buses for HRTC.

Technical Education Awards: A new State Award for Teachers in Technical Education will be introduced, covering 10 awards across six categories.

Bonafide Status for Orphaned Children: Children abandoned or surrendered and living in Child Care Institutions for 15+ years will now be eligible for Bonafide Himachali certificates.

Vehicles will be purchased to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining.

The government approved a ₹1,000 crore guarantee for the HPPCL to raise funds for the controversial Shongtong-Karchham Hydropower Project.

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Tragedy at Manikaran Gurudwara Site: Six Killed in Tree-Landslide

Tragedy in Manikaran: Six Dead after huge deodar tree caved in a Landslide, But Who is Accountable?

Kullu: The pilgrim town of Manikaran, known for its spiritual significance, turned into a scene of devastation as a tree- landslide near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib claimed six lives.

The news has come at a time when the summer tourist season is picking up. The negative publicity can hit tourist footfalls in the Manikaran Valley of Kullu.

DC Kullu Ashwini Kumar and rescue team rushed to the spot but the damage was dine. Three tourists, and three locals were killed in the tree felling and landslide incident while many were injured.

The people didn't find time to escape the tree which caved in along with the landslide burying them alive.

While the Chief Minister mourns the loss and directs administrative assistance, the real question remains—why did disaster management and the Gurdwara committee fail to track the looming danger?

Now Warning Signs

The Himalayan terrain is no stranger to landslides, and Manikaran has witnessed nature’s fury time and again.

Yet, despite erratic monsoons and vulnerable slopes, there seems to have been no preventive measures in place mainly in fragile spots. There is only talk talk and talk here.

Disaster Mapping, drills or survey of blackspots on the highways remained buried in file of Disaster Management Authority.

Locals claim there were visible signs of soil erosion, weakened trees, and minor rockfalls in the preceding days. "We had noticed cracks and shifting rocks, but no one took it seriously. The authorities should have cordoned off the area," said a shopkeeper near the Gurdwara.

Gurdwara Committee’s Responsibility

The Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib attracts thousands of pilgrims daily. Ensuring their safety is a shared responsibility of both religious bodies and administrative authorities. There is no coordination.

However, questions are being raised about why no evacuation plan or early warnings were issued.

An eyewitness shared, "When the tree fell and the landslide began, there was absolute chaos.

There were no sirens, no alerts—nothing to indicate that disaster management had a plan in place."

Disaster Management: A Mere Formality?

Every monsoon, the administration issues vague warnings about landslides, but what about concrete action?

Was the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) consulted beforehand? Was there a structural audit of the vulnerable slopes?

Survivors recount a grim scene where victims were buried under debris, and rescue teams arrived only after locals began digging with bare hands.

"Had there been a proper monitoring system, these deaths could have been avoided," lamented a resident.

Time for Accountability, Not Just Condolences

While the Chief Minister's condolences may provide momentary solace, grieving families deserve more than words.

The state government needs to ensure that proper surveillance, early warning systems, and safety protocols are implemented, especially in high-risk zones like Manikaran.

Six lives have been lost. The question remains—will this be just another disaster brushed under the carpet, or will authorities finally wake up before the fragile and overcrowded places in mountains claim more innocent lives?

Hydro Power

Lahaul-Spiti Tribals Open Front against Seli and Miyar Power Projects in the Fragile Valley

Tribals of Lahaul-Spiti Rise in Revolt Against Telangana MoU for Hydropower Projects

Shimla/Keylong March 30 – The people of Lahaul-Spiti have sounded the bugle of resistance against the Himachal Pradesh government's signing of an MoU with Telangana for the construction of two mega hydroelectric projects—Miyar (120 MW) and Seli (400 MW).

The Seli is located on the Chandra Bhaga River while the Miyar is located on the Miyar tributary of Chandra Bhaga River located in the fragile Miyar Valley in Udaipur Sub division of the tribal district.

Save Lahaul-Spiti Society, a prominent voice for tribal rights and environmental protection, has condemned the agreement, calling it a blatant disregard for the fragile ecosystem of the region.

"The entire Lahaul valley is in seismic zones 4 and 5, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides.

This region has already witnessed devastating floods, and yet the government seems adamant about pushing projects that will only worsen the crisis," said B.S. Rana, president of Save Lahaul-Spiti Society.

The opposition to these projects is not new. The Seli power project was previously awarded to Moserbaer, a company that faced stiff resistance from locals and environmental groups.

The government’s latest move to hand over these projects to Telangana has only reignited anger among the people.

"These projects are nothing but a death knell for our fragile mountains and glaciers. We cannot allow outsiders to exploit our resources while ignoring the voices of the native tribals," Rana asserted.

The local communities have long advocated for sustainable development through eco-tourism and traditional practices rather than large-scale projects that threaten their way of life.

"We have seen how unchecked hydropower development has led to disasters in other parts of the Himalayas. Lahaul-Spiti will not be the next victim of reckless policymaking," said a local activist.

The government, however, has remained tight-lipped on the mounting opposition.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who facilitated the MoU signing in Shimla on March 29, has yet to respond to the outcry from Lahaul-Spiti.

With the tribal communities and environmental groups gearing up for protests, the coming days are likely to witness a fierce battle between the people and the government over the fate of Lahaul-Spiti’s pristine environment.

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Bar and Bench

HP High Court Quashes Merger Order of Two Government Schools in Himachal

Himachal HC Quashes Govt Order on Primary School Merger, Cites Hardships for Young Students

Shimla – Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed the state government’s order merging Government Primary School (GPS) Ropa Kot with GPS Karaha, citing the difficulties young children would face in commuting.

A division bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sushil Kukreja passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the School Management Committee of GPS Ropa Kot.

The court ruled that forcing children to travel a distance of around 4 km daily—2 km each way—was unreasonable for primary school students.

The case revolved around a government notification dated August 17, 2024, ordering the merger of the two schools.

The petitioners argued that the merger violated Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law, equal opportunity, and the right to life and dignity.

The court took note of a certificate issued by the Executive Engineer, which confirmed that the road distance between the two schools was nearly 3 km. Even the government admitted that the shortest route was no less than 2 km.

Given the circumstances, the bench found merit in the petitioner’s concerns, stating, “This court cannot expect young children in primary classes to walk such distances daily.”

Consequently, the court set aside the state’s merger order but left room for future modifications if circumstances changed. The ruling ensures that GPS Ropa Kot will continue functioning as before, at least for the upcoming academic session.

This verdict is likely to have broader implications on similar school merger policies in the state, where concerns over accessibility and student well-being have been repeatedly raised.

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