Himachal Pradesh Government

CM directs to issue Himcare Cards, e-KYC for all registered construction workers
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a review meeting of Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board here today directed that all the workers registered under the board should be issued Himcare cards to enable them to avail benefits of the scheme and their e-KYC be completed at the earliest through the Him Parivar Portal.

He also said that financial assistance provided to the children of registered workers for higher education such as PhD, MBBS, engineering, etc. should be given at the same rate as the fee charged by government institutions for those courses. The Chief Minister further directed that children with disabilities of registered workers should also be linked with the Mukhyamantri Sahara Yojana.

He emphasized upon holding awareness camps about the harmful effects of drug abuse under the anti-chitta campaign by the Board. He said that steps should be taken to ensure that workers receive benefits under various welfare schemes, said Sh. Sukhu.

It was informed in the meeting that the Board has spent Rs 20.70 crore on various welfare schemes in the financial year 2023–24, Rs 33.27 crore in 2024–25 and Rs 26.23 crore in 2025-26 so far. During the financial year 2025–26, pensions amounting to Rs 31.06 lakh were provided to 1,606 beneficiaries under the Board’s pension scheme.

Board Chairman Nardev Singh Kanwar said that the Board provides financial assistance of Rs 51,000 for the marriage of a registered worker and Rs 51,000 each for the marriage of up to two children of the worker. He gave detailed information about the assistance being provided under various schemes.

Member Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Rajiv Kumar, informed that around Rs 500 crore has been spent so far to provide benefits to workers under various welfare schemes. He said that currently 4,76,052 workers are registered with the Board.

Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Secretaries Priyanka Basu Ingty and Ashish Singhmar, Director DDTG Dr. Nipun Jindal, Labour Commissioner Virender Sharma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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CM assures to raise the concern of apple orchardists with Union Government
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a meeting with representatives of progressive orchardists of the State attended their concern over reduction of import duty on apples imported from New Zealand which have adversely affected the interests of local orchardists.

He assured them that the issue would be raised with the Central Government to find a way out to address their concerns. "I will meet the Union Finance and the Commerce Minister and urge them to take necessary measures to protect the interests of the orchardists of the state" he said, adding that apple production was a major pillar of the state’s economy and its protection and promotion was a top priority of the state government.

Other important issues were also discussed in the meeting.

Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary C. Palrasu, Director of Horticulture Vinay Singh, State Committee President of Himachal Apple Growers Association Sanjay Chauhan, State Secretary of Himachal Kisan Sabha Rakesh Singha, President of Stone Fruit Growers Association Deepak Singha, Vice President of Progressive Growers Association Ashutosh Chauhan and other progressive orchardists were present in the meeting.

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CM directs linking data of farmers practicing natural farming with Him Parivar Portal
CM to interact with farmers engaged in natural farming at a conference in Hamirpur

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the Agriculture Department to link detailed data of farmers, practicing natural farming, with the Him Parivar Portal by 20 January 2026 so that a block-level database of such farmers could be prepared and mapped accordingly. He was presiding over the meeting of Agriculture Department here today.

The Chief Minister said that youth would be encouraged to adopt natural farming to strengthen the rural economy. He said that by promoting this method of farming across the state would boost and strengthen the economy of the farmers. He said that the state government was working to bring revolutionary changes in the natural farming-based system, adding that he will interact with farmers associated with natural farming at a conference to be held this month in Hamirpur.

Sh. Sukhu reviewed various issues of the farmers related to wheat, maize and raw turmeric produced through natural farming. He said that wheat flour produced through natural farming was being marketed under the brand ‘Him Chakki Atta’, maize flour as ‘Him Bhog Makki Atta’ and raw turmeric as ‘Him Haldi’. He directed that expiry date and nutritional present in these products should be clearly displayed on the flour packets and also instructed for the formation of a special unit to assess nutritional content.

The Chief Minister said that 606.8 metric tonnes of naturally grown maize have been procured and Rs. 2.31 crore has been transferred directly to bank accounts of the farmer's. Similarly, 2,123 quintals of naturally grown wheat have been procured at the Minimum Support Price, and 1.32 lakh has been transferred to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Encouraging results were being seen by providing a support price of Rs. 90 per kg for naturally grown raw turmeric, he said adding that procurement of around 2,422 quintals of turmeric from 1,629 farmers was estimated this year. He added that the Agriculture Department is producing various crops using natural farming methods on its 25 farms across the state.

The Chief Minister emphasized ensuring better marketing of natural farming products as well.

Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar gave valuable suggestions during the meeting.

Principal Advisor (Innovation, Digital Technology and Governance) Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretaries C. Palrasu and Ashish Singhmar, Director DDTG Dr. Nipun Jindal, Director Agriculture Ravinder Singh Jasrotia, Director Horticulture Vinay Singh and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas to be held in Gram Panchayats on 21 and 22 January : CM
Anti-Chitta Awareness sports tournaments to be organized across state

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a meeting of senior officers held here last evening said that Anti-Chitta Gram Sabhas would be organised in all Gram Panchayats of the state on 21 and 22 January 2026. He said these sabhas would review information related to chitta and focus on important issues, including the rehabilitation of local youth addicted to chitta. Officers from various departments would also attend these Gram Sabhas as observers. Each Panchayat would also carry out a detailed mapping of chitta-related activities during the meetings.

The Chief Minister said that statewide awareness campaigns were already underway to educate people about the harmful effects of chitta and other psychotropic drugs.

As part of this effort, Anti-Chitta Awareness Sports Tournaments would also be organised across the state on the lines of the Premier League. He said that these tournaments would feature kabaddi, cricket and volleyball matches and would be held at the block, district and state levels. Winning teams would receive cash prizes from the Chief Minister.

He further said that the government was following a multi-pronged strategy to break the chain of chitta trafficking and its supply. The properties owned by chitta smugglers have been identified and would be demolished.

The Chief Minister also directed the Education Department to include a chapter on the harmful effects of chitta in school textbooks to raise awareness among students. He directed to include Gram Panchayat Pradhans and Panchayat Samiti members as special invitees in Panchayat-level drug de-addiction committees. In addition, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and women’s self-help groups (Mahila Mandals) would be actively involved in the campaign against chitta.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary C. Palrasu, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Director Rural Development Raghav Sharma and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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CM calls for scientific studies on water evaporation and melting of glaciers
Reviews ongoing construction projects in the energy sector

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today chaired a review meeting of various departments and undertakings related to the energy sector here.

The Chief Minister directed to conduct a thorough study on water evaporation from various dams and reservoirs during the summer season. He said that the increasing level of haze in different cities of the State was a matter of concern and emphasized that a scientific assessment on this issue was the need of the hour. He further stated that an in-depth study should be conducted to examine whether there was any co-relation between water evaporation from reservoirs and the rising incidents of cloudbursts.

Sh. Sukhu also instructed officials to analyze the rate of glacier melting in the state and its implications for flood management. He noted that accelerated melting of glaciers adversely impacts the ecological system and disrupts the natural environmental balance.

The Chief Minister reviewed various ongoing construction projects in the energy sector and issued necessary directions to the officers.

He held detailed discussions on smart meters and directed officials to carry out feeder billing mapping. The Chief Minister informed that the completion of construction work on 13 hydroelectric projects has enhanced the State’s power generation capacity by 1,229 megawatts.

On the occasion, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar and senior officers were present.

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Government dismisses services of 11 police personnel involved in Chitta trade
Taking stringent action, the State Government dismissed the services of 11 police personnel from service today who were found dealing in Chitta. This action has been taken in line with the State Government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs, after these personnel were found to be involved in cases under the NDPS Act. The dismissals have been carried out under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India.

Presiding over a high-level meeting in Shimla today, the Chief Minister stated that the police have a primary responsibility to take strict action against chitta and drug suppliers. Adding that if police personnel were themselves found involved in drug-related activities, such a stringent action becomes inevitable. The Chief Minister made it clear that no person involved in chitta trafficking or illegal drug trade will be spared and that strict action was being taken against government employees found involved in such activities.

"No one is above the law, and those who will promote the illegal trade of Chitta and other illegal drugs won't be spared at any cost, may he or she be of any rank or file", said Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sending a clear and strong message that there is no place in the police force for those who violate the law while being entrusted with its enforcement.

The dismissed personnel include Inspector Neeraj Kumar posted in the 1^st Indian Reserve Battalion, Bangarh, Constable Shubham Thakur posted in District Bilaspur, Constable Kapil of the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion, Pandoh, Constable Shiv Kumar posted in SDRF, Constable Lakshya Chauhan posted in Shimla District Police, Constable/Driver Vishal Thakur posted in SV & ACB, Constable Gaurav Verma of the 4th Indian Reserve Battalion, Jungleberry, Constable/Driver Sandeep Rana of the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion, Sakoh, Constable Ankush Kumar posted in SDRF, Constable Rajat Chandel posted in State CID and Constable Rahul Verma posted in Shimla District Police. All were found to be involved in NDPS Act cases.

The Chief Minister directed all departments to prepare detailed reports of employees involved in chitta trafficking and related activities and submit the same to the Chief Secretary at the earliest. He also instructed that reports regarding properties acquired through drug money by such employees be prepared and forwarded to the government. The State Government has activated the emergency number 112 for sharing any information related to Chitta and appealed to the public to come forward and share information without fear.

Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari gave a detailed presentation on the actions taken by the Police Department against chitta.

It is pertinent to mention here that on the directions of the Chief Minister, the State Government has announced attractive rewards for providing information related to chitta syndicate. A reward ofRs. 10,000 for information leading to the recovery of up to two grams, Rs. 25,000 for five grams, Rs. 50,000 for 25 grams, Rs. 5 lakh for one kilogram, and Rs. 10 lakh for information related to seizures of more than one kilogram of chitta. Informers providing information about major drug syndicates will be rewarded with amounts exceeding Rs. 5 lakh.

The meeting was attended by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary C. Palrasu, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Director Rural Development Raghav Sharma, and other senior officers.

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