Himachal Pradesh Government

CM inaugurates Digital Forensic Division and DPRC building in Dharamshala
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the Digital Forensic Division and Advance Equipment Laboratory in Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Dharamshala. This facility is equipped with the state-of-the-art infrastructure worth approximately rupees three crore, including advanced tools capable of extracting and analyzing data even from damaged mobile phones.

In addition, an advanced equipment laboratory costing about Rs. 1.05 crore has been established to ensure high-precision forensic analysis. The equipment installed in these laboratories is valued at around Rs. 1.50 crore. These facilities are expected to significantly enhance transparency, reliability and efficiency in forensic investigations across the northern region of Himachal Pradesh. He said that the newly created division would greatly assist investigating agencies in preserving and examining evidence from crime scenes, particularly in cases where the prescribed punishment is seven years or more.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the new building of the District Panchayat Resource Centre (DPRC), Kangra constructed at cost of Rs. 3.92 crore and also laid foundation stone of DPO staff quarters of Zila Parishad, Kangra at Dharamshala to be constructed at an estimated expenditure of Rs. 2.26 crore

Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, MLA Suresh Kumar, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta and Secretary PR&RD C. Paulrasu were also present on this occasion.

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HIMUDA contributes cheque of Rs. 11 Lakh towards Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Kosh
Town & Country Planning and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani today presented a cheque of Rs. 11 lakh on behalf of HIMUDA to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu towards the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Kosh at Dharamsala in Kangra district.

The Chief Minister appreciated the noble gesture and said that such contributions would go a long way in supporting the welfare initiatives being undertaken for orphaned children, destitute women and other vulnerable sections. He said the State Government was committed to ensure a secure and dignified life for all beneficiaries under the scheme.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, MLA Ram Kumar, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta and Chief Executive Office HIMUDA Dr. Sunder Vashisht were also present on the occasion.

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CM inaugurates Regional Laboratory building of HPSPCB in Dharamshala
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the newly constructed Regional Laboratory building of the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) at Dari, near Dharamshala. The state-of-the-art facility has been built at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore.

The laboratory complex comprises a basement, ground floor, first floor and top floor, each spread over 234.61 sq. m, with a total built-up area of 938.44 sq. m. The basement has been designated for parking and is equipped with essential services such as electricity, water supply and other modern amenities to support the functioning of an advanced analytical laboratory.

Purpose-built sections have been established for water and wastewater quality analysis, ambient air quality monitoring and microbiological examination, enabling comprehensive environmental monitoring activities. The building also houses a dedicated sample storage room, chemical and glassware storage facilities, a record room, a meeting hall and adequate seating arrangements for staff, ensuring a fully functional and efficient laboratory environment.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has provided adequate budgetary support to complete the project, which has been developed in accordance with the requirements for National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation. “With its modern infrastructure, enhanced analytical capacity and improved safety provisions, this new laboratory will significantly strengthen the technical capabilities, operational efficiency and service standards of the State Pollution Control Board,” he said.

Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Vice Chairman HP State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, MLA's Sanjay Awasthy, Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar, Congress leader Devender Jaggi, Chairman APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra, Mayor Municipal Corporation Dharamshala Neenu Sharma, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Member Secretary HPSPCB Praveen Gupta and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

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CM inaugurates Ban Ganga Ghat
- Participates in evening aarti
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the newly constructed Ban Ganga Ghat in Kangra today. He commenced the evening aarti, performed with Vedic chants on the lines of Haridwar. The daily aarti was expected to become a major attraction for the thousands of devotees who visit the site.

He said that the project built at a cost of Rs. 2.20 crore had got significant support from the Captain Shailesh Riyalch Foundation. The foundation had contributed around Rs. 1.5 crore, while the Kangra district administration provided nearly Rs. 70 lakh for the project. Captain Shailesh hailed from Ambari area of Nagrota Bagwan was martyred 25 years ago and the foundation was established in his memory. Foundation had played a vital role in the development of this ghat.

He further said that a 25-foot trident was being installed in the ghat complex and to ensure the comfort of devotees and tourists, a grand aarti platform, changing rooms, toilets, an attractive stage, a landscaped park and enhanced lighting have been developed. Along with the evening aarti, yoga sessions and various religious and cultural programmes would also be organised here.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is known as the Dev Bhoomi and the Bajreshwari Temple in Kangra is a major centre of faith for thousands of devotees from across the country. As many worshippers take a holy dip at the ghat, it has been developed keeping their convenience in mind. It would also provide a well-organised and safe place for bathing and performing rituals.

Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs Sanjay Awasthy, Suresh Kumar and Kamlesh Thakur, Chairman Himachal Pradesh School Education Board Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Vice-Chairman HRTC Ajay Verma, Chairman HP Wool Federation Manoj Thakur, Chairman APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, SP Ashok Rattan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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CM unveils official Jersey of Dharamshala marathon to be held on 25th December
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today unveiled the official jersey of the Dharamshala Marathon 2025 at Dharamshala. The event, slated for 25^th December, 2025, aims to promote fitness, bolster sports tourism besides highlighting the breathtaking beauty of the Dhauladhar foothills. The jersey has a design inspired by the beautiful Dhauladhar ranges and the local culture. Was much appreciated.

An initiative of the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the District Administration, Kangra, the Dharamshala Marathon 2025 underscores the civic body’s commitment to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle while attracting National and International athletes.

Lauding the efforts of the Municipal Corporation Dharamshala, the Chief Minister said that the jersey represents more than just sportswear. It is a badge of honour for those who will take on this challenge proudly, he remarked.

The registration for the Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.0975 km), and shorter distance categories are now open at the official website of Dharamshala marathon.

Former MP Viplove Thakur, Mayor, Municipal Corporation Dharamsala Neenu Sharma, former Mayor Devender Jaggi, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Berwa, Municipal Commissioner Zaffar Iqbal, Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan and several MC councilors were present on the occasion.

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CM appeals every section to join mass movement against chitta
CM seeks details of properties acquired through drug trade by 10^th December

Anti-Chitta walkathons to be held at district and sub-division levels

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing the sixth State-level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) in Dharamshala, today directed the officials to further intensify and streamline the ongoing campaign against drugs so that chitta and all other narcotic substances can be eliminated from the State completely. Representatives from various central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Enforcement Directorate (ED) Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Postal Department and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) also attended the meeting besides officers and officials of the State Government.

Sh. Sukhu said that special deployment of CID and Police personnel has been made in 234 Panchayats of the state highly sensitive to drugs. He directed the Deputy Commissioners to constitute Anti-Drug Committees in these Panchayats and instructed NCORD to conduct regular meetings in every district in the state. Besides, the Chief Ministe also urged youth, people, Mahila Mandals, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other voluntary organizations to actively contribute in making the State drug-free.

The Chief Minister directed the district administration's to identify properties acquired through drug trade and submit their reports to the government by 10^th December. These properties would be demolished and those involved would be strictly punished. He disclosed that 60 government employees, including 15 police personnel were found involved in chitta trafficking. While five have already been dismissed, legal action is underway against the others. He further directed the officials to submit details of all the government employees involved in drug trafficking by 10^th December. He said that Anti-Chitta Walkathons would soon be organized at district and sub-division levels as well.

The Chief Minister said that the government was not only ensuring strict enforcement but was also strengthening the counseling, treatment and rehabilitation mechanisms for individuals used to and affected by drug abuse. Drug testing has been made mandatory for all government recruitments. Anti-Drug Clubs, Prahari Clubs and peer education programmes are being made more active in schools and colleges. Strict surveillance is being maintained on cannabis cultivation and pharma units are being thoroughly inspected. The Prosecution Directorate has been directed to expedite appeals in NDPS cases, review acquittals and improve conviction rates. He said that parameters related to supply, demand and harm reduction under drug control will now be included in the ACRs of officers.

Sh. Sukhu said that the Government was launching a “Chitta Information Reward Scheme” to turn the Anti-Chitta campaign into a mass movement. Under this scheme, informants providing credible information on chitta will receive a reward ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 10 lakh. Information can be given by calling 112 or by contacting the nearest police station and rewards will be disbursed within 30 days. He appealed to citizens to extend active cooperation in eradicating the menace of chitta.

The Chief Minister said that the present Government was giving top priority to the safety of youth. Over the last three years, 5,642 NDPS cases have been registered an increase of 28 per cent with 8,216 arrests and the seizure of 36.657 kg of chitta, reflecting strong police action. The PIT-NDPS Act has been implemented, 46 notorious traffickers have been detained, and illegal assets worth Rs. 48 crore have been confiscated.

He said that the State was the first in the country to classify Panchayats into red, yellow and green categories and have identified 12,000 individuals under this model which was now being recognized nationally as exemplary.

During the Statewide Naka operations held on 17^th and 18^th November, as many as 16,441 vehicles were checked, 13 NDPS cases were registered and a large quantity of narcotics were seized. On 22nd November, simultaneous raids were conducted at 121 locations which have delivered a decisive blow to ten major trafficking networks. Further, on 25^th November, a special operation was carried out around educational institutions, under which 41 campuses and 598 shops were inspected in which 12 cases being registered and 385 challan have been issued.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Bhagat Negi, DGP Ashok Tiwari, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretaries M. Sudha Devi, Rakesh Kanwar and Sushil Kumar Singla along with other senior officers attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from all districts also joined the meeting virtually.

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