Himachal Pradesh Government

Mayor invites governor to closing ceremony of shimla winter carnival
Mayor, Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan along with Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, today called on Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Lok Bhavan and formally invited him to grace the closing ceremony of the Shimla Winter Carnival as Chief Guest on 1^st January 2026.

The Mayor briefed the Governor about the daily events of the carnival, stating that Himachal Pradesh’s rich culture, traditions, cuisine and heritage were being showcased through the festival. He informed that the carnival is being organised with the theme “Chitta-free Himachal” and aims to promote tourism while highlighting the state’s vibrant cultural legacy.

Appreciating the initiative, the Governor said that such events not only strengthen the state’s economy but also provide youth an opportunity to connect with their culture and stay away from substance abuse through positive and creative engagement.

Commissioner Municipal Corporation Shimla Bhupender Atri was also present on the occasion.

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Delegation calls on Chief Minister
A delegation of Pangi area of Chamba district called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and apprised him of various demands of the people of the area.

The Chief Minister assured them that the State Government will consider their demands sympathetically.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Member of Tribal Advisory Council Chuni Lal, Chairperson Panchayat Samiti Pangi Kiran, former President of Block Congress Committee Subhash were also present on the occasion.

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Scrapping of MNREGA is anti-rural: CM
- Statewide protests to be launched against the decision
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, along with members of his Cabinet, staged a protest near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ridge, Shimla, opposing the Central Government’s decision to discontinue the MNREGA scheme.

Addressing those present, the Chief Minister termed the move deeply anti-rural and detrimental to the livelihood security of millions of rural families. He said MNREGA, conceived and implemented by the Congress-led UPA government under the leadership of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, had been a cornerstone of rural employment and inclusive growth.

He pointed out that under the earlier framework, works under MNREGA were planned and executed based on the resolutions of Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, reflecting local priorities and ensuring grassroots participation. However, the new mechanism sidelines Panchayats, as planning authority has been centralized and funds will now be allocated directly by the Centre, with projects notified for selected areas. He said the Congress Party would intensify its opposition by organizing protests at district and block levels across the State to expose the anti-people nature of the decision.

The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh would be among the worst affected. Earlier, the Central Government met the entire wage liability under MNREGA, while the State Government provided an additional incentive of Rs. 80 per day to workers. Under the revised arrangement, the Centre will bear only 90 percent of the wages, leaving the State to shoulder the remaining burden. He asserted that MNREGA must continue in its original spirit, driven by Panchayat demands and local development needs.

He further stated that salaries of officers and employees posted in Zila Parishads under MNREGA have also been discontinued, which would adversely impact the effective implementation of the scheme.

Responding to another query, the Chief Minister said the State Government was firmly opposed to the Central Government’s decision to reduce import duty on apples. He cautioned that the move would severely impact apple growers in Himachal Pradesh and assured that the matter would be strongly taken up with the Centre to protect the interests of orchardists.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, HPCC President Vinay Kumar, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, Congress co-in-charge Chetan Chauhan, MLAs Chander Shekhar and Anuradha Rana, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, councilors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of various boards and corporations and senior Congress leaders were present on the occasion. (eom)
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Governor unveils Lok Bhavan calendar for 2026
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla released the 2026 calendar published by the Lok Bhavan Secretariat here today.

The calendar offers a visual journey through some of the most impactful moments of the Governor’s public engagements in the year 2025, with a special focus on two major themes. Nashamukt Himachal, a statewide campaign led and actively supported by the Governor to combat the rising threat of substance abuse among youth. Disaster Relief and Ground Visits, highlighting the Governor's visits to disaster-affected areas across the State, underscoring his commitment to people’s welfare and on-ground responsiveness during times of need.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor appreciated the efforts of the Lok Bhavan Secretariat in documenting these initiatives through compelling visuals. “This calendar is not just a record of dates and events, but a reflection of our collective resolve towards building a healthier, safer and more resilient Himachal Pradesh,” said Shri Shukla.

C.P. Verma, Secretary to the Governor, along with senior officials of the Lok Bhavan were also present during the release event.

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Public awareness key to combating drug abuse: Governor
'YES' organizes cultural and social awareness programme

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today emphasized that public participation and sustained awareness are crucial in the fight against drug abuse, stating that informed and vigilant citizens can significantly strengthen the efforts of both the government and law enforcement agencies.

He was addressing a cultural and social awareness programme organised by the Youth Enlightenment Society (YES) at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla.

The Governor said that culture and social consciousness connect society to its roots and provide the right direction for collective progress. He expressed concern over the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among youth, calling it one of the most serious challenges facing society today. Stressing that a drug-free Himachal is possible only with proactive youth leadership, he urged youth to come forward with determination and awareness to combat this social evil.

Appreciating the efforts of the YES, he said that engaging youth in positive activities and steering them away from substance abuse is a strong step towards nation-building. “A strong youth is defined by discipline, service and a conscious distance from drugs,” he said, appealing to citizens to collectively pledge for a healthy, drug-free and empowered Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier, State President of the Youth Enlightenment Society, Mohit Thakur welcomed the Governor and briefed about the organisation’s activities.

On the occasion, a skit highlighting the ill-effects of drug abuse was presented, along with cultural performances by students of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Degree College, Sunni.

Officers of the district administration, representatives of the organisation and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.

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CM sounds clarion call against 'Chitta', to make 'Himachal Drug free'
Bilaspur rallies in large numbers for state-wide anti-drug movement
- State releases Rs. 20 crore for de-addiction and rehabilitation centre
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today led a massive anti-drug awareness walkathon in Bilaspur under the State-wide public campaign against ‘Chitta’, as the town echoed with strong and impactful slogans against drug abuse. The walkathon, organised from Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) to Luhnu Ground, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, public representatives, officers and prominent citizens.

The Chief Minister administered a solemn oath at the school ground, where participants pledged to collectively eliminate chitta and other narcotic substances from Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing a large gathering at Luhnu Ground, the Chief Minister described chitta as a “slow poison” destroying the future of the youth and shattering families, while also subjecting them to social stigma. He said the State Government had launched a mass anti-drug movement from the historic Ridge Maidan in Shimla on 15^th November, followed by campaigns in Dharamshala and Hamirpur, with Bilaspur being another strong milestone in the people’s movement today.

Sh. Sukhu called upon every section of society, especially the youth, to actively participate in the fight against drug abuse. He said that meaningful social change had always been led by young people and expressed confidence that the youth of Himachal Pradesh would once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the government to make the State drug-free.

The Chief Minister announced that the government would soon launch an ‘Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme’, under which college and university students, NCC and NSS cadets, members of youth clubs and socially conscious citizens would be trained as frontline volunteers in the campaign.

Emphasizing that the government’s approach was not limited to slogans or symbolic events, he said strict action was being taken against drug traffickers alongside focused rehabilitation of victims. He announced that Rs. 20 crore has been released for the de-addiction and rehabilitation centre being developed at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district.

Sharing enforcement details, he said that during the State-wide ‘Naka’ campaign from November 17 to 19, 208 checkpoints were set up, nearly 28,000 vehicles were checked and several NDPS cases were registered, leading to 33 arrests. On November 22, simultaneous search operations at 124 locations resulted in nine NDPS cases and nine arrests. On December 25, a special drive around educational institutions led to registration of 12 cases and issuance of 385 challans.

The Chief Minister said the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (PIT-NDPS) Act was being effectively invoked to detain habitual offenders. Action has so far been initiated against 66 criminals under PIT and NDPS provisions, including 19 notorious chitta traffickers detained on December 6 and 19.

He further informed that action was underway against illegal properties linked to drug money. Of the 72 identified cases of encroachment and illegal construction, action has been completed in 14 cases, while proceedings in the remaining cases are in progress.

Sh. Sukhu said inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units were also being conducted to curb illegal production and distribution of psychotropic drugs. He added that community-based strategies were being strengthened through meetings held in 234 drug-affected panchayats to improve local intelligence, awareness and prevention efforts.

Town and Country Planning and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLAs Tilak Raj and Bambar Thakur, Co-Convenor of the State Drug Abuse Prevention Board Sanjay Bhardwaj, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar and Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal were present on the occasion.

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