Himachal Pradesh Government

Dental College Shimla to be renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Dental College: CM
- Rs. 300 crore dental health research centre to be established in Hamirpur
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the 4th Annual Conference of the Himachal Pradesh State Chapter of the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI) here today announced to rename Dental College Shimla as Rajiv Gandhi Dental College, Shimla.

He also announced that a Dental Health Research Centre would be established in Hamirpur at a cost of Rs. 300 crore. He said the new research centre would create employment opportunities and provide people with better and more advanced dental treatment facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that oral and maxillofacial surgeons play a vital role not only in treating patients but also in restoring their confidence and improving their quality of life. He said that the conference would prove to be an important step towards improving healthcare services for the people.

Shri Sukhu said the state government was bringing major improvements to the healthcare sector and these efforts were already showing positive results. He said that only a few years ago it would have been difficult to imagine government hospitals in Himachal offering advanced facilities such as robotic surgery and 3-Tesla MRI technology. The government was now working to introduce modern medical technology and advanced healthcare facilities in all medical colleges as well as district hospitals, so that people could receive high-quality and affordable treatment closer to their homes without having to travel to other states.

He said the government had held detailed discussions with doctors across the state and had taken several important steps to strengthen the healthcare sector. A similar programme would also be organised with dental doctors to further improve dental colleges and ensure that people had access to modern, high-quality dental care.

The Chief Minister said that doctors who studied in Shimla were making the state proud by serving with distinction across India and abroad. He said that doctors from the state were highly talented and capable and making an important contribution to improving healthcare services through the use of modern technology.

MLA Suresh Kumar, Congress leader Pawan Thakur, Kailash Federation Chairman Baldev Thakur, Principal Dental College Shimla Dr. Yogesh Bhardwaj, AOMSI National President Dr. Ashish Gupta, AOMSI, Himachal Chapter Dr. Rangeela Ram and other distinguished guests were present on the occasion.

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Lokayukta presents annual report of HP Human Rights Commission to Governor
Justice Chander Bhushan Barowalia, Lokayukta, Himachal Pradesh, who is also holding the additional charge of Chairperson, Himachal Pradesh Human Rights Commission, presented the annual report of the Himachal Pradesh Human Rights Commission for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March, 2026 to Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan today.

The report highlights the functioning and activities of the Commission during the reporting period, reflecting its continued efforts towards the protection and promotion of human rights in the State.

Secretary to the Governor, Sandeep Bhardwaj was also present on the occasion.

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CM interacts with ITI students on exposure visit to Kazakhstan
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on late Friday evening interacted telephonically with the students from various Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of Himachal Pradesh who are currently on an exposure visit to Kazakhstan. During the interaction, the Chief Minister enquired about their experiences, the knowledge they had gained during the visit and the facilities being provided to them. He encouraged the trainees to make the most of this international learning opportunity and acquire skills that would enhance their future prospects.

Sh. Sukhu said that this was for the first time the state government had organized an overseas exposure visit for trainees of technical institutions. He added that similar educational and exposure tours had earlier been arranged for meritorious students and teachers of government schools and that such initiatives would continue in the future. He further stated that the state government was also considering organizing international exposure visits for doctors and medical students to enable them to gain global exposure, learn advanced medical practices and further strengthen healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had established the Himachal Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation Overseas Employment Cell to facilitate safe and legal overseas employment opportunities for the youth of the State. He urged the students to get them registered with the Corporation, which would help them access credible overseas employment opportunities. He said the initiative would protect job seekers from fraudulent travel agents while ensuring access to genuine and well-paying jobs abroad.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, who is leading the delegation, briefed the Chief Minister about the educational institutions, industries and other establishments visited by the trainees during the tour and highlighted the valuable learning experiences they had gained.

The students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister for providing them with this unique opportunity. They said the exposure visit had broadened their horizons, enhanced their technical knowledge and provided them with valuable international exposure, which would significantly benefit their future careers.

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Rs. 45 crore released to clear MIS apple procurement dues: CM
- Launches website and App to digitize entire process of procurement
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while chairing a meeting of the Horticulture department here on Friday, said that the state government has cleared payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to apple growers for produce procured under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) during the year 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

He said that payments had already been made to growers who supplied up to 30 bags of apples under the MIS and the process of releasing payments to growers who supplied 100 bags or more was now underway. He informed that the state government has released Rs. 45 crore to clear the pending liabilities.

Reviewing the preparations for apple procurement under the MIS during the current season, the Chief Minister launched the Horticulture Market Intervention Scheme website and mobile application. The digital platform would facilitate end-to-end recording of the procurement process, from apple purchase to processing, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.

Apple growers would be required to register on the portal by providing details such as Aadhaar number, land records and bank account information. They would also be able to book time slots for selling their produce, helping reduce waiting time and improving convenience. The growers will receive SMS notifications on their mobile phones regarding procurement and payment status, ensuring complete transparency.

The Chief Minister directed that dedicated staff should be deployed at collection centres during the procurement season to assist growers. He said that employees from other departments could also be assigned, if required, and instructed officials to complete all necessary preparations to ensure that orchardists do not face any inconvenience during the procurement season.

Sh. Sukhu said that the present state government was committed to safeguard the interests of the farming community and had initiated various schemes for their upliftment. He said that the universal carton system had been introduced for packaging the apple produce so that growers could be saved from the exploitation of middlemen.

Chairman, HIMFED, Maheshwar Singh Chauhan, Secretary Horticulture C. Paulrasu, Director, Digital Technology and Governance Dr. Nipun Jindal, Managing Director, HPMC D.C. Rana, Director, Horticulture Satish Kumar and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion.

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Ensuring balanced and inclusive development of the State: CM
- Doon delegation calls on Chief Minister, apprises him of developmental demands
A delegation from Doon Assembly constituency of Solan district, led by MLA Ram Kumar called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today and apprised him of various developmental demands of the area.

Interacting with the delegation, the Chief Minister said that the State Government was committed to ensuring balanced and inclusive development across Himachal Pradesh. The government had accorded top priority to strengthening the health and education sectors to provide quality services to the people. He added that there was no shortage of funds for developmental works and that the government was undertaking transformative reforms to modernize both sectors.

Sh. Sukhu said that several landmark initiatives had been undertaken in the Doon Assembly constituency, including the establishment of a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office at Baddi, a 100-bedded hospital and a Public Works Department (PWD) Division, which would significantly strengthen the region’s administrative and healthcare infrastructure.

He said that the State Government was introducing the CBSE curriculum in government schools to ensure quality education for students. He stated that three government schools in the Doon Assembly constituency have already been upgraded to the CBSE pattern, enabling students, particularly from rural areas, to access quality education at nominal fees compared to the high cost of CBSE education in private schools. He added that teachers had already been appointed in these schools and further recruitments are underway.

MLA Ram Kumar thanked the Chief Minister for opening six to seven new government offices in the constituency and for fulfilling all the announcements made for the area. He said that the State Government had given priority to the development of the Doon constituency. He also requested financial assistance for the construction of a stadium and strengthening of road infrastructure in the area and invited the Chief Minister to visit the constituency.

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Kullu, Una, Bilaspur, Solan among eight hospitals to get 1.5 Tesla MRI Machines
- Digital mammography facilities to come up at Nahan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Dharamshala and Solan
- Procurement of 42 handheld X-ray machines underway
- CM chairs meeting of Health Department
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was strengthening healthcare infrastructure across district hospitals and all seven government medical colleges to ensure quality medical services closer to people’s homes. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Health Department here today, the Chief Minister said that district hospitals play a pivotal role in delivering accessible and timely healthcare services. He said that, as part of this initiative, the state government would install 1.5 Tesla MRI machines at Regional Hospitals Bilaspur, Kullu, Una and Solan, District Hospital Kinnaur, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital, Nahan, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala and Civil Hospital Palampur. He said that advanced 3 Tesla MRI machines were being installed in the government medical colleges to further strengthen specialized diagnostic services across the state.

He further said that digital Mammography machines would also be installed at District Hospitals Nahan and Hamirpur, Regional Hospitals Bilaspur and Solan along with the Zonal Hospital Dharamshala to enhance diagnostic facilities.

Sh. Sukhu said that the procurement process for 42 handheld X-ray machines is underway, of which 14 have already been received. These machines would be deployed across the state, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, for chest screening and early detection of tuberculosis. He said that the initiative would facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving health outcomes.

The Chief Minister said that 256-slice high-end CT Scan machines would be installed at Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialty, Chamiyana, IGMC Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk. In addition, digital X-ray and 4D ultrasound machines would be provided to various healthcare institutions across the state. He directed the department to ensure that all medical equipment procured meets the highest quality standards at par with AIIMS, New Delhi. He also directed to strengthen radiology departments in all government medical colleges to provide advanced diagnostic and specialized healthcare services.

Reviewing the staffing position in the Health Department, the Chief Minister said that the government was expediting the recruitment of doctors, paramedical personnel and technicians to improve healthcare delivery. He said that all seven medical colleges would soon be equipped with the required paramedical staff. He also reviewed the progress of procurement of quality medicines and directed the department to expedite the process. He said the state government’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare facilities within Himachal Pradesh so that people need not travel outside the state for getting specialized treatment.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Secretary M. Sudha Devi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Mission Director, NHM, Pradeep Thakur, Director Health Services Dr. Gopal Berry and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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