NHPC shares in focus on starting operation of 107 MW solar capacity at Bikaner
NHPC shares are in focus following the commencement of commercial operations for a 107 MW solar power capacity in Rajasthan. Additionally, trial runs for all units of the Parbati-II HE Project in Himachal Pradesh have been successfully completed, with commercial operations already declared for three units earlier this month.
Himachal Day 2025: Date, venue, significance, messges to share with loved ones and more
Himachal Day, celebrated annually on April 15th, commemorates Himachal Pradesh's formation as an Indian province, highlighting its cultural heritage and progress. In 2025, the state-level celebration will be held in Pangi Valley, Chamba district, emphasizing the government's commitment to inclusive development in remote areas.
Chandigarh Diary | Kangana being Kangana over Rs 1 lakh power bill
Bollywood actress and BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut raised eyebrows recently by claiming that she had received an electricity bill of around a mind-boggling Rs 1 lakh for a single month for her unoccupied house in Manali. It is a miserable situation. I feel ashamed as to what is happening, she had said while hitting out at the Himachal Pradesh government. State Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, however, dismissed it as a case of Kangana being Kangana. He noted that the actor is known for making sensational remarks. He further remarked that Kangana, being more of an artiste than a politician, likes being dramatic on stage. BJP leaders bat for Waqf as protests continue As members of Muslim organisations and Opposition leaders across the country are up in arms over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, BJP leaders are trying hard to allay the apprehensions of the minority community about the new legislation. Union Minister of Power and Urban Development and former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar recently met with members of the Muslim community in Karnal and assured them that the amendment would ensure greater transparency and reduce land-related disputes. Khattar also said that thanks to the law, people will have the right to appeal Waqf boards decisions in court, a welcome change. Mann and Hamdard bury the hatchet after two yrs The bitterness between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Barjinder Singh Hamdard, the managing editor of a leading Punjabi daily, appears to be fading away. It all started after the Mann government ordered a vigilance probe into the Jang-E-Azadi Memorial at Kartarpur, in which Hamdard had played a key role. The vigilance bureau named Hamdard in an FIR registered last May. Mann and Hamdard didnt see eye to eye after that for two years... until Friday, when the two came face to face at the last rites (antim ardas) of Resham Kaur, wife of former BJP MP Hans Raj Hans, at a gurdwara in Jalandhar. Mann and Hamdard hugged each other on the occasion. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com
Himachal CM lays foundation stone for 1 MW solar power project at Dhanwas
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu initiated a 1 MW solar power plant project in Pangi Valley, estimated at Rs 10.50 crore, aiming completion by November 2025. The plant, featuring a 500-kilowatt battery storage, will ensure uninterrupted power to Pangi's 19 Panchayats, even during winter.
Jupiter International Ltd secures 500 Cr investment to accelerate solar manufacturing expansion
KOLKATA, Apr 14: Jupiter International Limited on Monday announced that it has secured a 500 crore investment from ValueQuest SCALE Fund and its affiliates. This marks ValueQuests retaining second investment, reinforcing its confidence in Jupiter Internationals growth and expansion in the solar energy sector. The Company currently operates at a 1 GW facility in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh and plans to increase the total capacity to 5.6 GW solar cells and 2.4 GW solar modules. The present funding round of 500 [] The post Jupiter International Ltd secures 500 Cr investment to accelerate solar manufacturing expansion appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
31 tourists hurt as Kasol-bound bus overturns in Himachal Pradesh
Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 jolts Himachal Pradesh`s Mandi
Tremors were experienced in several parts of the region, with no immediate reports of injuries or property damage
Earthquake of 3.4 magnitude hits Himachal's Mandi; no damage reported
SHIMLA: A moderate-intensity earthquake, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, struck Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district on Sunday, officials said. The depth of the earthquake, which struck near Mandi town at 9:18 am, was 5 km, the Met office said. The epicentre was located at 31.49 degree latitude and 76.94 degree longitude in the Mandi region, it said. No loss of life and property was reported from any part of the state so far, officials said. The Mandi district falls under seismic zone 5, which is a high-damage risk zone.
Himachal: Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 jolts Mandi
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district on Sunday morning, according to the National Center for Seismology. The tremors, felt at a depth of 5 kilometers, caused no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. This follows a recent 2.6 magnitude earthquake in Maharashtra's Solapur district and a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that caused widespread destruction.
Delhi is expected to have cloudy skies with no heatwave conditions, as per the IMD. The maximum temperature is likely to reach 37 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are forecasted for East and North East India in the coming days. Several regions of Himachal Pradesh have experienced rainfall, with some areas witnessing light snowfall.
Kashmir to Kulali: Farmer brings apple orchards to scorching hot North Karnataka
VIJAYAPURA: An orchard of red, juicy apples in the scorching heat of North Karnataka? Surprisingly, yes. The fruit, which grows in the cool climes of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, is being cultivated on a sprawling farm in Kulali village of Mudhol taluk in Bagalkot district. Farmer Srishail Teli has rewritten the rules of horticulture with his persistent efforts to grow apples in temperatures soaring above 38 degrees. He succeeded, and got a bountiful harvest on seven acres of land. The region is traditionally believed to be unfit for such crops, but Teli is earning a good income, besides an enviable reputation in the farming community and beyond. Unsuitable soil Bagalkot, where nearly 80 per cent of the farmland is devoted to sugarcane, has long been seen as unsuitable for crops beyond staples like corn, wheat, cow sorghum, pomegranate and chickpea. However, Teli has broken this long-standing belief by cultivating apples on the same soil. His efforts have not only yielded high-quality fruit but have also inspired curiosity and admiration among fellow farmers. I was primarily cultivating grapes and had good success with them, but I wanted to try something new, said Teli, who is keen on taking up challenges in the farming sector. During my search, I came to know about apple cultivation in North Karnataka. Though I hadnt met anyone who had done it, I decided to take the plunge. He did not once visit traditional apple-growing regions like Shimla or Kashmir, and instead relied on his own research and determination. He planted 2,600 saplings of the Anna variety, which is known to withstand temperatures as high as 42 degree Celsius. He said that other varieties suitable for hot climates include the Golden Dorsett and HRMN-99. Taking a risk Teli said that after collecting information on availability of the saplings, he bought them from a private nursery in Shirdi in Maharashtra. I took a big risk. People laughed at me, some even called me an idiot. But I told myself, even if I dont get a full crop, at least Ill have apples to eat, he recalled. The risk paid off handsomely. Teli said he invested around Rs 7 lakh in the project, opting for fully organic farming methods. Though apple trees generally take three years to bear fruit, Srishails farm saw results in just two years and two months. The apples produced in my farm fully match the taste, colour and quality of those grown in traditional apple belts, he claimed. So far, Teli has sold over 12 tonnes of apples in the open market, fetching prices ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 150 per kilogram, based on quality. The earnings have helped him fully recover his investment. In addition, he used apple cultivation as an intercrop opportunity, successfully growing sweet corn and watermelon alongside. This success didnt come easy. Ive spent a lot of time and effort taking care of every plant to ensure the best quality, Teli said. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. A retired CRPF officer who served for two decades in Kashmir, visited the farm and expressed amazement at the achievement. Its hard to believe apples can grow in this climate, the officer said. Many doctors and professionals from various fields are also making their way to Srishail Telis farm to check on the innovative crop first-hand. I come from a farming background and started working in the fields after PUC. I may not have formal training in horticulture, but I have always had a deep interest in agriculture and a strong desire to experiment, Teli shared. Once you start something, dont stop halfway. Work till you see results. That is what I do. Today, his farm is not only a source of income but also a centre of learning and inspiration. Many visitors are welcomed with fresh apples, freely shared by the farmer who once faced ridicule.
Army junior commissioned officer killed in foiled infiltration bid near LoC in Jammus Akhnoor
An infiltration attempt across the Line of Control near Akhnoor in Jammu was foiled by the Indian Army, resulting in the death of Subedar Kuldeep Chand. The JCO, from 9 Punjab battalion and a resident of Himachal Pradesh, sacrificed his life while leading the counter-infiltration operation in the Keri Battal area of Sunderbani.
Neta Natter | Revanth, star of Congress show
With Congress-ruled states being just three, it was Revanth who stole the spotlight among his peers from Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh
LG, Army Chief Pay Tributes To JCO Martyred In Gunfight With Terrorists Along LoC In Jammu
Jammu, Apr 12: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday paid their tributes to a junior commissioned officer (JCO) who laid down his life while leading a counter-infiltration operation against terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony for Subedar Kuldeep Chand was held at military garrison Tanda in Jammus Akhnoor in the afternoon and later his mortal remains were despatched to his family in Himachal Pradesh [] The post LG, Army Chief Pay Tributes To JCO Martyred In Gunfight With Terrorists Along LoC In Jammu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Boxing getting muddier as Court fires warning to BFI
CHENNAI: Things are getting more and more complicated for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and its election. Days after the World Boxing (WB) formed an interim committee with BFI president in it, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has said that not conducting elections as directed by the court amounts to 'contempt'. The HP HC also said that the BFI election that was stalled on direction of its president's letter to the Returning Officer, RK Gauba, should be conducted at the earliest. HP HC's single judge, Sandeep Sharma, came down heavily on the BFI as well. Though it is clear cut contempt of order passed by this Court, but by way of indulgence and on the vehement request of learned Deputy Solicitor General of India, this Court adjourns the matter to 28.04.2025, enabling all respondents to file reply, but this Court hopes and trusts that on or before next date of hearing, respondent No. 4 ensures that election of federation is conducted as per schedule fixed, the order dated April 11 said, adding, if dates given in the same have expired, observer in consultation with the Returning Officer may fix fresh schedule and ensure that elections are held at the earliest. The order also said, Needless to say, till the time orders passed by competent Court law is not set aside, varied or modified by superior court of law, there is no authority, if any, with the respondents to tinker with same. It needs to be seen what the BFI does next. The tenure of the last elected executive council expired on February 2/3 and the sports ministry, under extreme circumstances, usually gives three months leeway to conduct elections. It needs to be seen when the ministry de-recognises the national boxing federation. In a big boost to Ajay Singh, World Boxing forms interim panel to run affairs of Indian boxing The order also said: Taking note of aforesaid communication (of BFI president), Returning Officer, ignoring the mandate given by this Court vide order dated 20.03.2025, paused the entire election process till Boxing Federation of India informs him with regard to action taken in the wake of the Court orders. The BFI president had written to the RO saying: BFI president wrote: (s)ince these orders have the potential to disrupt the ongoing electoral process/schedule, we are taking steps to approach the superior courts for urgent intervention. Therefore, it is requested that further orders be awaited before the conflicting orders of the high courts are acted upon. All eyes will also be on the sports ministry as well and what action they would take when the three months extension gets over. As of now, the sport is getting affected as well. The preparation for the Asian Games should have started by now but as things stand, officials are unwilling to relent and find a viable solution.
Himachal govt will develop new tourist destinations at Rs 2,400 crore: CM Sukhu
Himachal Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, plans to invest Rs 2,400 crore in developing new tourist destinations, including 200 hotels and wellness centers. The state aims to become the country's tourism capital by promoting water sports in Gobind Sagar Lake and upgrading facilities at Shree Naina Devi Temple with a budget of Rs 100 crores.
In Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, a bank employee allegedly died by suicide after a public confrontation over her affair with a married colleague.
HPU Result 2025 Released at hpuniv.ac.in Direct Link to Download 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Semester Result
HPU Result 2025: Himachal Pradesh University Result 2025 has been released on hpuniv.ac.in. Here is the direct Link to check your BHMS/M.A/M.Sc 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Semester Results Online.
Ms Ranaut, the BJP Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, during a public meeting in her constituency recently, criticised the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh over the inflated electricity bills, a video of which went viral on social media.
Habitual drug offender detained under PIT NDPS Act in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh
NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear on April 16 as many as 10 petitions, including the one filed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act , 2025. According to the apex court website, besides the CJI, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan are part of the three-judge bench for hearing the petitions. In addition to AIMPLB's plea, the court has listed for hearing the petitions filed by AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, Arshad Madani, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, Anjum Kadari, Taiyyab Khan Salmani, Mohammad Shafi, Mohammed Fazlurrahim and RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha. A few other petitions are yet to be listed before the bench by the apex court registry. The Centre, on April 8, filed a caveat in the apex court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter. A caveat is filed by a party in the high courts and the apex court to ensure that no orders are passed without hearing it. The central government on Tuesday notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which got the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 after its passage from Parliament following heated debates in both houses. The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed are other key petitioners. On April 7, a bench headed by the CJI assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, to consider listing the petitions. The DMK moved the top court through its deputy general secretary A Raja and said in a press release, Despite widespread opposition, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 was passed by the union government without proper consideration of the objections raised by the members of the JPC and the other stakeholders. The party said the immediate implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 infringes and prejudices the rights of about 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and 20 crore Muslims in other parts of the country. The AIMPLB filed the plea in the top court late April 6. In a press statement, SQR Ilyas, the AIMPLB spokesperson, said the petition strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion. The amendments, it said, not only violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India but also clearly revealed the government's intention to take complete control over the administration of Waqf, therefore, sidelining the Muslim minority from managing their own religious endowments. Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution ensure freedom of conscience, the right to practice, propagate religion, and the right to establish and manage institutions for religious and charitable purposes, it said. The plea is settled by advocate M R Shamshad, with advocate-on-record Talha Abdul Rahman representing the Muslim personal law board, through its General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also filed a petition in the apex court, claiming it was a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom. In its petition, Jamiat said the law was a direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom. Waqf Bill: A direct attack on India's secular structure, say religious and legal experts In its separate plea filed in the top court, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala, has claimed the Act was a latant intrusion into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion. Jawed's plea alleged the Act imposed arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the Muslim community's religious autonomy. The petition, filed through advocate Anas Tanwir, said the law discriminated against the Muslim community by imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments. In a separate plea, Owaisi said it took away from Waqfs various protection which are accorded to Waqfs, and Hindus, Jain and Sikh religious and charitable endowments alike. This diminishing of the protection given to Waqfs while retaining them for religious and charitable endowments of other religions constitutes hostile discrimination against Muslims and is violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion, said Owaisi's plea, filed through advocate Lzafeer Ahmad. NGO Association for the Protection of Civil Rights also filed a petition in the apex court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. AAP MLA Khan sought the law declared as unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 300-A of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear on April 16, a batch of pleas relating to religious conversions. While some pleas have challenged the anti-conversion laws in several states, another petition has sought a relief against forced religious conversions. The April 16 causelist on the apex court website shows the matter would come up before a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan. During the hearing in one of the pleas in January 2023, the apex court observed religious conversions was a serious issue and should not be given a political colour. It had sought the assistance of attorney general R Venkataramani on a plea seeking direction to the Centre and states to take stringent steps to control the alleged fraudulent religious conversions. The plea sought a check on religious conversions through intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits. The top court had in 2023 asked the parties challenging the anti-conversion laws of several states to file a common petition for the transfer of cases on the issue from the high courts to the apex court. It noted there were at least five such pleas efore the Allahabad High Court; seven before the Madhya Pradesh High Court; two each before the Gujarat and Jharkhand High Courts; three before the Himachal Pradesh and one each before Karnataka and Uttarakhand High Courts. There were also two separate petitions filed by the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh challenging the interim orders of the respective high courts staying certain provisions of their laws on conversion. Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind also moved the apex court against the anti-conversion laws of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and argued they were enacted to harass interfaith couples and implicate them in criminal cases. The Muslim body said the provisions of all the local laws of the five states force a person to disclose their faith and, consequently, invade their privacy. 'Arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion': AIMPLB moves SC against newly enacted Waqf law
HP TET 2025 June session registration starts at hpbose.org; check details and application process
The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (HPBOSE) has opened applications for the HP TET 2025 June session. Eligible candidates can apply for exams in 10 subjects, including TGT, JBT, and Special Educator. The registration period ends on April 30, 2025, with a late fee option until May 3, 2025. The exam will be conducted from June 1 to June 14, 2025. Applicants can make corrections to their forms between May 4-6, 2025.
Cabinet nod to rail and road projects worth over Rs 4.8K cr
NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved two key transport infrastructure projects, including one for doubling the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line (104 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and another relating to the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur bypass with a length of 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana on hybrid annuity mode. Besides the two infra projects, the cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, also approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026 with an initial total outlay of Rs 1,600 crore. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore and it aimed to enhance connectivity, improve mobility, and promote sustainable development in the southern states. He said that project spans three districts in Andhra and TN and will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 km. The enhanced connectivity will benefit both religious and tourist traffic, as the line connects Tirupati, home to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, which attracts around 75,000 pilgrims daily, with a footfall of up to 1.5 lakh on special occasions, he said. As part of the capacity expansion, the project is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 4 million tonnes per annum and contribute to Indias climate goals by reducing oil imports by 4 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 20 crore kilograms annually, said Vaishnaw. The 6-lane Zirakpur Bypass starting from Junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and ending at Junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana will cost approximately Rs 1,878 crore, the minister said. The project is aimed at easing the congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity and providing direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh. The current proposal aims at reducing the travel time and ensuring hassle-free traffic movement in the congested urban section of NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152, Vaishnaw said. As part third decision with regard to irrigation facility, the government plans to set up water supply infrastructure from existing canals and other sources to a designated cluster, the minister said.
Kangana questions Rs 1L power bill for unused Manali home; getsfactchecked
Shimla: After BJP MP and actor-politician Kangana Ranaut claimed that she received an electricity bill of around Rs 1 lakh for a month for her unoccupied house in Manali, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited on Wednesday said the bills amounting to Rs 90,384 were for two months, which included old dues. Ranaut, the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
ITI to operate network centre for BharatNet phase-III project in Himachal Pradesh
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday approved two key transport infrastructure projects including one for doubling the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line (104 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and another relating to the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur bypass with a length of 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana on hybrid annuity mode. Besides the two infra projects, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at it meeting also approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026 with an initial total outlay of Rs 1,600 crore Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing media after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, said, the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore and it aims to enhance connectivity, improve mobility, and promote sustainable development in the southern states. The Minister said, project spans three districts in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 kilometers. The enhanced connectivity will benefit both religious and tourist traffic, as the line connects Tirupati, home to the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, which attracts around 75,000 pilgrims daily, with a footfall of up to 1.5 lakh on special occasions. The line also provides access to other significant destinations, including Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, and Chandragiri Fort, he said. Vaishnaw said, as part of the capacity expansion, the project is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)and also contribute to Indias climate goals by reducing oil imports by 4 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 20 crore kilograms annually. This reduction in emissions is equivalent to planting one crore trees, further supporting the countrys environmental objectives, he added. Meanwhile, the 6-lane Zirakpur Bypass starting from Junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and ending at Junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 km in State of Punjab and Haryana will cost approximately Rs 1,878 crore, the Minister said. The project is aimed at easing the congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity and providing direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh. The current proposal aims at reducing the travel time and ensuring hassle-free traffic movement in the congested urban section of NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152, Vaishnaw noted. As part third decision with regard to irrigation facility, the government plans to set up water supply infrastructure from existing canals and other sources to a designated cluster, the Minister said, adding that it would build robust backend structure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to farm gate up to 1 Ha with underground pressurised piped irrigation. The projects will be made sustainable by Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to the Water User Society (WUS) for management of irrigation assets. The Water User Societies will be given handholding support for linking them with existing economic entities like Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for five years. The youth will also be attracted to farming, to adopt the modern method of irrigation, the government later said in a statement. Vaishnaw informed that the initial approval is for taking up 78 pilot projects across various agro-climatic zones in the country. Based on the learning in design and structuring of these projects, the National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting from April 2026 for the 16th Finance Commission period, he added.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut alleged that she received an excessive electricity bill of Rs 1 lakh for her Manali home, where she does not even reside.
Congress leader Mumtaz Patel criticized BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's hediya remark about the Himachal Pradesh government, accusing Ranaut of speaking recklessly. Patel questioned if Ranaut considers Himachal separate from India, highlighting PM Modi's responsibility towards the state.
Six months in, Himachal Congress revamp lingers on
InNovember last year, the Congress central leadership dissolved the entire State unit of the Himachal Pradesh months after the party failed to win even a single Parliamentary seat in the Lok Sabha elections
Himachal Pradesh govt transfers 3rd HPPCL official amid probe into GM Vimal Negis death
India overhauls teaching in Himalayan Buddhist monasteries to counter China
About 600 monasteries scattered across the northern states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh offer training in four types of Tibetan and Indian Buddhist tradition
10 Of The Best Hotels And Resorts In Himachal Pradesh For An Ideal Himalayan Escape
Himachal Pradesh offers a plethora of accommodations that cater to the discerning traveler. These hotels and resorts promise an unforgettable experience.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches registration for naturally grown turmeric
Solan Drug Bust: 2 Including Haryana Cop Arrested with 157 gram Heroin (Chitta)
Solan- In a significant breakthrough, Solan police arrested two individuals, including a Haryana Police head constable, for possessing 157 grams of heroin, locally known as chitta, near the Dohri Dawal area of Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The arrests followed a tip-off about suspected drug trafficking activities in the region. The accused were identified as Pradeep Kumar, [] The post Solan Drug Bust: 2 Including Haryana Cop Arrested with 157 gram Heroin (Chitta) first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Himachal govt open to any form of investigation: CM Sukhu on Vimal Negi's death case
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the BJP of politicizing the death of Vimal Negi, a Chief Engineer at HPPCL, and assured a fair probe. Negis death has spurred demands for a CBI inquiry. Meanwhile, Sukhu inaugurated Phase-II of the Ellerslie Building project in Shimla, aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing congestion.
Kangra Fort: Mind-Blowing Facts About One Of India's Oldest and Largest Forts
Ditch the usual tourist spots on your next trip to Himachal Pradesh, step into the past at Kangra Fort, where history, mystery, and grandeur collide.
Himachal Pradesh deploys additional mining officer to curb illegal sand mining in Chakki River
Dont pollute Himachal Hindutva members ask minorities to leave state
Members of the Hindu Jagran Manch, a Hindutva organisation in Himachal Pradesh, threatened minorities to leave the state, calling they are polluting devabhoomi (land of Gods). In an undated video shared by The Observer Post that surfaced on social media platforms on Sunday, April 6, a group of Muslims encounter the Hindu Jagran Manch members Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Raja Babu unable to come to terms with Lok Sabha defeat: Kangana
Shimla, Apr 6: Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Sunday took a dig at Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh saying he is yet to come to terms with his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. In a veiled attack on Vikramatidya Singh and his mother and state Congress president Pratibha Singh, the BJP MP from the states Mandi seat said there is competition in politics but limits should not be crossed. One should not repeatedly throw mud at others or [] The post Raja Babu unable to come to terms with Lok Sabha defeat: Kangana appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
HP Cabinet Approves Regularization of Employees, Healthcare Boost, EV Infrastructure, and More
Shimla- The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, convened today and approved a series of important decisions related to employment, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, and revenue enhancement. Regularization of Contractual and Daily-Waged Employees In a significant move for state employees, the Cabinet approved the regularization of contractual workers who [] The post HP Cabinet Approves Regularization of Employees, Healthcare Boost, EV Infrastructure, and More first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved various initiatives to enhance public services and infrastructure. They include regularizing employees, taking over hydroelectric projects, setting up healthcare facilities, increasing stipends for medical professionals, and supporting EV charging stations. Measures for increasing state revenue and preserving urban public spaces were also approved.
HRTC to buy 350 electric and 250 diesel buses: Deputy CM
Shimla, April 5, 2025 In a major push to enhance public transportation in Himachal Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced on Saturday that the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) will acquire 600 new buses. The fleet expansion includes 350 electric buses and 250 diesel buses, aiming to modernize the states transport system while [] The post HRTC to buy 350 electric and 250 diesel buses: Deputy CM first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
An official statement said that out of the total amount, 588.73 crore has been approved for Bihar, 136.22 crore for Himachal Pradesh, 522.34 crore for Tamil Nadu and 33.06 crore for Puducherry
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced 6,692 job openings through NILETT, including positions in education, with the majority for Aayas in pre-primary schools. Other roles include yoga teachers, special educators, and career guidance counselors, with varying honorariums ranging from Rs 4,075 to Rs 32,490 per month. Interested candidates must apply via post by April 28, 2025, with specific educational qualifications required for each position. Applications can be downloaded from the NILETT Shimla website.
Central govt approves Rs 1,280 cr to Bihar, Himachal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry as disaster assistance
The high-level committee approved Rs 1280.35 crore of additional assistance to Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry for the 2024 natural disasters. Tamil Nadu receives Rs 522.34 crore, Bihar Rs 588.73 crore, Himachal Pradesh Rs 136.22 crore, and Puducherry Rs 33.06 crore, reinforcing prior central funds.
Bilaspur: Youth Dies of Overdose After Swallowing Heroin Pouch to Escape
Bilaspur: In a heart-wrenching incident that highlights the devastating grip of drug addiction, a young man from Rakkad in Kangra district lost his life after swallowing a packet of chitta(heroin)a form of synthetic heroinin a desperate attempt to evade arrest. The episode, which unfolded under the jurisdiction of the Barsar police station in Himachal Pradeshs [] The post Bilaspur: Youth Dies of Overdose After Swallowing Heroin Pouch to Escape first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Regions likely to be impacted include south Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh
Heat Wave Alert: IMD Issues Yellow Alert For Delhi, Temperature To Touch 42 Degree Celsius
Heat Wave Alert: Several adjoining areas of Delhi, including Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and western Madhya Pradesh, are also set to experience heat wave conditions.
Heatwave to grip northwest India for six days, Delhi may hit 42 degrees: IMD
NEW DELHI: Northwest India is likely witness heatwave conditions over the next six days, with temperatures in Delhi expected to reach up to 42 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. Regions likely to be impacted include south Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh. The IMD said maximum temperatures in many parts of central and northwest India are expected to rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during this period. In Delhi, daytime temperatures could reach around 42 degrees Celsius at some places by April 6 or 7. Earlier this week, the department said India is expected to see higher-than-usual temperatures from April to June, with more heatwave days in central and eastern India and the northwestern plains. Normally, India records four to seven heatwave days between April and June. States likely to experience more heatwave days than usual include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and northern parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Some states such as Uttar Pradesh (its eastern region), Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha may see 10 to 11 heatwave days during this period. India had an extremely harsh summer last year, recording 536 heatwave days, the highest in 14 years. The year 2024 was also the warmest recorded in India and globally. This year, heatwaves hit parts of India as early as February 2728. The year 2024 recorded its first heatwave on April 5. Although heatwaves are common in India during April and May, scientists say climate change is making them more frequent and intense. A 2022 study said the risk of heatwaves is likely to increase 10 times in the 21st century. Over 70 per cent of India's land area may face severe heatwaves. Data shows that 12 of the warmest years in India have occurred since 2006, with 2016 being the hottest year so far.
HP Government Sets Up Directorate of Recruitment
Shimla, April 3, 2025 The Himachal Pradesh Government has established the Directorate of Recruitment in Shimla to streamline and accelerate the hiring process for Junior Office Assistant (IT) and other Group-C posts across various state government departments. As per the official notification, the Directorate will function as a nodal agency under the Department of [] The post HP Government Sets Up Directorate of Recruitment first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Heatwave likely in NW India over next 6 days; temp may soar up to 42 in Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 4: Northwest India is likely witness heatwave conditions over the next six days, with temperatures in Delhi expected to reach up to 42 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. Regions likely to be impacted include south Haryana, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and west Madhya Pradesh. The IMD said maximum temperatures in many parts of central and northwest India are expected to rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius [] The post Heatwave likely in NW India over next 6 days; temp may soar up to 42 in Delhi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
HPU announces revised timetable for BA, BSc, BCom exams 2025 to avoid clashes; check details here
Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has revised the exam schedule for undergraduate BA, BSc, and BCom courses to prevent exam overlaps. The updated timetable includes changes for first, second, and third-year students across various subjects. Significant changes affect the BCom Business Law, BJMC PAC 102, Tourism, Education, and Computer Applications exams. Students are advised to check the updated schedule on the HPU website for the most accurate and timely information.
Another Notorious Drug Trafficker from Kangra Sentenced to 10 Years
Shimla In a significant victory against drug trafficking, the Himachal Pradesh Police has secured the conviction of Dalveero, a notorious drug trafficker, for her involvement in narcotics smuggling. Dalveero, wife of Ajay Kumar from Channi, Indora, District Kangra, has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined 1,00,000 for drug-related offenses. Dalveero [] The post Another Notorious Drug Trafficker from Kangra Sentenced to 10 Years first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
HP Govt to Restructure Directorate of Education and Rename it as Directorate of School Education
Shimla In a significant move to streamline the education system, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced a major restructuring of the Directorate of Education. According to a notification issued today, the Directorate of Elementary Education will be reorganized and renamed the Directorate of School Education. This newly constituted body will oversee all educational matters from [] The post HP Govt to Restructure Directorate of Education and Rename it as Directorate of School Education first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Bilaspur Shootout Case: Third Shooter Arrested in Sonipat
Bilaspur: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested a third shooter in connection with the attack on former Bilaspur Sadar MLA Bambar Thakur. The accused, identified as Bobby from Jhajjar, Haryana, was apprehended on April 1 in Kharkhoda, Sonipat. The attack took place on March 14, during Holi, when four unidentified gunmen opened fire on [] The post Bilaspur Shootout Case: Third Shooter Arrested in Sonipat first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
Congress opposing Waqf Bill but yet to set up Waqf Board, Haj Committee in Himachal Pradesh: BJP
The Congress has faced criticism for not forming a Waqf Board or a Haj committee during its tenure in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP supports the new Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at improving accountability and resolving property disputes, now under consideration in the Lok Sabha.
6 Offbeat Getaways In Himachal Perfect For A Quiet Escape
The state has no shortage of beautiful places, but these hidden gems in Himachal Pradesh offer a good mix of peace, solitude, and a chance to reconnect with nature.
Crackdown on Drug Trafficking: Eight Habitual Offenders Detained Under PIT-NDPS Act in One Week
Shimla To curb the drug trafficking menace in Himachal Pradesh, the State Police Department has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking. As part of this initiative, eight habitual offenders have been detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act within a week, the state police confirmed in [] The post Crackdown on Drug Trafficking: Eight Habitual Offenders Detained Under PIT-NDPS Act in One Week first appeared on Himachal Watcher .
NEW DELHI: Over 13,000 sq km of forest area, more than the total geographical area of Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa combined, is under encroachment in 25 states and Union Territories that have submitted data to the Union Environment Ministry so far. Ten states are yet to submit data on forest encroachments. Last year, the National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a PTI report that cited government data showing that 7,50,648 hectares (or 7,506.48 sq km) of forest area -- more than five times the size of Delhi -- was under encroachment in India. In April last year, the NGT had directed the ministry to compile the details of encroachment of forest areas in all states and Union Territories in a prescribed format. In a report submitted to the NGT last week, the ministry said that as of March 2024, a total of 13,05,668.1 hectares (or 13,056 sq km) of forest area was under encroachment in 25 states and UTs that have provided data so far. These states and UTs are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadar & Nagar and Daman & Diu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur. States and UTs, which are still to submit the data and details on forest encroachment, are Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan,Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Forest area or The Recorded Forest Area (RFA) includes land officially designated as forest by the government, even if it does not have tree cover. RFA is further divided into three categories: reserved forests, which have full protection, with activities like hunting and grazing generally banned; protected forests, where some activities are allowed unless specifically restricted; and unclassed forests, which are not classified as reserved or protected. This is different from forest cover which refers to the actual area with tree canopy (more than 1 hectare with tree canopy density of at least 10 per cent), regardless of legal status. Forest cover includes forests inside and outside recorded forest areas, such as plantations, community forests and private lands with tree growth. According to the ministry's report, Madhya Pradesh had the highest forest encroachment among all states and UTs, with 5,460.9 sq km affected as of March 2024. Assam has 3,620.9 sq km of forest area under encroachment. A total of 863.08 sq km of forest land in Karnataka is under encroachment, followed by 575.54 sq km in Maharashtra, 534. 9 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh, 405.07 sq km in Odisha, 264.97 sq km in Uttar Pradesh, 247.72 sq km in Mizoram, 200.40 sq km in Jharkhand and 168.91 sq km in Chhattisgarh. Tamil Nadu has 157.68 sq km of encroached forest land, Andhra Pradesh 133.18 sq km, Gujarat 130.08 sq km, Punjab 75.67 sq km, Uttarakhand 49.92 sq km and Kerala 49.75 sq km, 42.42 sq km in Tripura, 37.42 sq km in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 32.7 sq km in Manipur. The ministry's report said that encroachment has been removed from 409.77 sq km of forest land so far. However, it is unclear whether this area was excluded from the total forest land under encroachment as of March 2024. The ministry informed the NGT that it had asked states to submit data through letters sent on May 1, May 17 and May 28 last year. States and UTs were also reminded multiple times over the phone and a meeting was held with them on November 11. The ministry sent further reminder letters on February 22 and March 26 this year, asking the remaining states and UTs to provide the information in a tabulated format.
Raulane: The festival of masked men, spirits, and fairies
Regional festivals in India's mountain regions include unique customs and legends. The Raulane festival in Himachal Pradesh features the worship of Sauni spirits. Highlights include elaborate traditional attire and rituals symbolizing the connection between humans and fairies, culminating in blessings for a prosperous year.
Himachal Pradesh teachers intensify protest for govt recruitment, reject private outsourcing
Vocational teachers in Himachal Pradesh, joined by their families, are protesting in Shimla, demanding direct recruitment by the government instead of through private outsourcing firms. Despite years of service and previous assurances from the government, their demands remain unmet. They seek immediate action to end the outsourcing model for job security.
Third eye: Window dressing & dialogue bazzi
AICC is expediting the appointment of long-vacant DCC chiefs across several states to ensure their participation in Delhi meetings. UP and Delhi saw significant appointments, while Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are next. Additionally, Maharashtra's political leaders are embroiled in heated exchanges, with Opposition using popular film dialogues to assert their stance against ruling alliances.
Right-wing outfits block highway after cow remains found in Yamuna
Nahan: Several right-wing organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, blocked a national highway in Himachal Pradeshs Paonta Sahib on Monday, March 31, after suspected cow remains were discovered in the Yamuna river, police said. The protesters blocked the Dehradun-Chandigarh National Highway that passes through Paonta Sahib. They alleged remains of freshly-slaughtered cows were found floating in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Dalai Lama Receives Gold Mercury Award For Peace And Sustainability
Dharamshala, Mar 31 : Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama was awarded the prestigious Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Sustainability at a special ceremony held at his residence in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on Monday. Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News The award was presented by Gold Mercury International, a globally recognised think tank and international non-governmental organisation (INGO) dedicated to promoting peace, governance and sustainable development. Nicolas De Santis, president and secretary general [] The post Dalai Lama Receives Gold Mercury Award For Peace And Sustainability appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Six dead, five injured after tree gets uprooted near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh
At least six people died and five were injured after a hollow tree was uprooted near the Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib parking area in Kullu on Sunday and fell on them.
Six killed, five injured in landslide in Himachal Pradesh
CHANDIGARH: Six people, including three women, were killed and five others injured after a landslide occurred due to a tree being uprooted by a storm near Gurdwara Manikaran Sahib in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. The incident happened in the evening when pedestrians near the edge of a road were struck by a large tree that fell along with debris from the landslide. Approximately 20 pedestrians and a number of parked vehicles were caught under the fallen tree. Among those killed were a roadside hawker, a car driver, and three tourists who were present at the location. The injured individuals were taken to Jari Hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses reported that the tree fell directly in front of the gurdwara, causing the instant deaths of two street vendors, a driver, and three tourists. Kullu Additional District Magistrate Ashwani Kumar confirmed the casualties, stating, Six people died and five were injured after trees were uprooted near Manikaran Gurudwara parking in Kullu. Police and rescue teams of the district administration have shifted five injured to the local community hospital at Jari. A police team, led by the Manikaran Station House Officer (SHO), promptly arrived at the scene and is currently coordinating rescue and relief efforts. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the unfortunate incident, The CM directed the district administration to extend all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He has also instructed officers to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. The Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert earlier in the week for thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in several districts of Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu. Earlier this month, heavy rains and snowfall had already caused disruptions in the region, leading to landslides and road blockages.
Former Bibipur village sarpanch Sunil Jaglan launches Beti Hoon Beti Bolo campaign in Haryana
CHANDIGARH: A nationwide campaign Beti Hoon Beti Bolo has been launched from Bibipur village in Jind district of Haryana which aims to promote gender equality and empower girls. Former sarpanch of the village, Sunil Jaglan, launched this campaign yesterday on the birthday of his daughter, Yachika Jaglan. Besides Haryana, he intends to spread this campaign in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar Jarkhand, Telangana and Tamil Nadu as he aims to organise gram sabhas in over one lakh villages across the country to garner support for this campaign. Talking to TNIE , Sunil Jaglan says, Many women from the village participated in the campaign, discussing the prevalent mindset in society where girls are referred to as 'beta' (son). It is both in rural and urban areas and in both educated and uneducated families. A large portion of the population in the country, including parents, teachers, and professors, address their daughters as 'beta', which has a direct impact on their minds and hinders gender equality. When we spoke to them they admitted that they were doing so but said that their parents also did the same. Jaglan stressed that girls should always be addressed as eti (daughter). The village women accepted Jaglan's message and acknowledged that they too had unknowingly used these words. They pledged to support the campaign. Jaglan announced plans to take the campaign forward through social media, gram sabhas, universities, schools, and collaborations with various stakeholders. He aims to organise gram sabhas in over one lakh villages across the country to garner support for the Beti Hoon Beti Boloon campaign. There are community outreach programs of universities we will try to spread with campaign through these programs. Not only that some 18,000 gram panchayats are in touch with us is nine states..Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar Jarkhand, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. We will hold regular online meeting and spread this word, he says. Jaglan launched the Beti Bachao campaign in 2012 and initiated the Selfie with Daughter campaign, which was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nine times in his Mann Ki Baat program and in events in the US and UK. A national award-winning documentary film, Sonrise, was made on Sunil Jaglan and screened at Harvard and Yale universities in the US. Jaglan has also been featured in documentary films in multiple languages and in a serial on Doordarshan. Additionally, a chapter on him has been included in the ICSE board's eighth-grade curriculum. Jaglan has launched 76 campaigns related to women's empowerment, setting a record. He was recently awarded a prize by Debiers London for his work for women. The Bibipur model, initiated by Sunil Jaglan, was implemented in 100 villages across the country by former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Himachal Pradesh: Six killed, five injured as trees uproot near Manikaran Gurudwara in Kullu
Six people lost their lives, and five others were injured on Sunday evening after trees were uprooted near the Manikaran Gurudwara parking area in Kullu.
6 Killed After Fierce Storm Causes Tree To Fall On Vehicles In Himachal's Kullu
A tree was brought down by a storm, which triggered a landslide, and fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu on Sunday.
Video: Man Screams Chale Gaye After Trees Fall On Cars In Himachal's Kullu
Several trees fell on vehicles and food stalls in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu this evening, and at least two people were buried under the trees. A relief and rescue operation is underway.
Himachal Pradesh: Right-wing group threatens minority shop owners, demand eviction
Shop owners from the minority community residing in Himachal Pradeshs Paonta Sahib area were threatened to clear their shops and leave the area by far-right Hindutva elements. A video dated March 24 has emerged on social media platforms where Rakesh Tomar, the founder of the far-right Hindutva group Rudrasena, is seen threatening a few Muslim Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Himachal inks MoUs with Telangana for power projects in Lahaul-Spiti
CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday inked two MoUs with the Telangana government to establish 400 MW Seli and 120 MW Miar Hydro Electric Power Projects in Lahaul-Spiti district at an estimated cost of R 6200 crore. The agreements were signed by Himachal Power Secretary Rakesh Kanwar and Telanganas Principal Secretary of Power, Sandeep Kumar Sultania in Shimla. Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu were also present. Both projects will be set up on the banks of the Chenab River at an estimated cost of Rs 6200 crore and are expected to create approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs for the states youth. As part of the understanding, the Telangana government paid 26 crore as an upfront premium. Upon commissioning of the projects, Himachal Pradesh will receive free power for the first 12 years (12%), the following 18 years, (18%), and the last 10 years (30%) under the state governments new Energy Policy. After 40 years, the Telangana government would transfer both projects to Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, the Telangana government would contribute 1.5% of the cost of projects to the Local Area Development Fund and provide an additional one per cent free power for LADF after commissioning. The affected families of these projects will also receive monetary benefits equivalent to 100 units per month for ten years. On the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhu invited the Telangana government to explore further power banking or trading partnerships. We will extend full cooperation to the government of Telangana to establish both the projects and look forward to the commencement of construction earliest. These agreements are a win-win situation for both the states. He said that while the state has harnessed 11,500 MW of renewable energy, much of it has benefitted the Central Public Sector Undertakings. Telangana DCM Mallu stated that his government was committed to ensuring energy security for both states, keeping in view their fast-growing demand. In line with Telangana Clean and Green Energy Policy, 2025, he said this MoU reflects the commitment to diversify the energy portfolio while ensuring environmental sustainability. By partnering with Himachal Pradesh, we are taking a significant step towards securing cleaner, greener and more reliable power for our future, the DCM added.
Telangana Signs MoU with Himachal Pradesh for two Hydropower projects
Telangana partners with Himachal for major hydropower expansion
Hyderabad: The state governments of Telangana and Himachal Pradesh have signed an MoU to develop two major hydropower projects for power supply to the state. The proposed projects, Seli (400MW) and Meyar (120MW), assigned to Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited (TSGENCO), will contribute to Telanganas growing demand for clean energy and help in achieving Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Telangana signs MoU with Himachal Pradesh for 2 major hydropower projects
MoU marks strategic collaboration leveraging Himachal Pradeshs rich hydropower potential and Telanganas commitment to sustainable energy solutions
Himachal Assembly Passes Bills Providing 24% Hike In Legislators' Salaries
Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday adjourned sine die after adopting three bills, which provided for 24 per cent hike in salaries and allowances of chief minister, ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and MLAs.
The inspectors will verify if the purchasing firms are real and if they have valid drug licenses. If any firm is found to be non-existent or without a valid drug license which has happened in the past the matter will be escalated further.
Himachal Pradesh University Job Vacancy 2025, Walk in for 01 Coach/Assistant Professor Posts
Himachal Pradesh University Recruitment 2025 for 01 posts of Coach/Assistant Professor. Candidates with Diploma, PG Diploma Can attend the walkin.The Walk-in on 01-04-2025. For detailed information please visit Himachal Pradesh University official website, hpuniv.ac.in.
Earlier, the RBI had declared Mar. 31 as a bank holiday for most states of India, except for Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh.
Punjab debt likely to touch Rs 4.17L cr by yr-end
CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is expected to take a loan of Rs 49,900 crore this year, pushing public debt by the end of March next to a staggering Rs 4.17 lakh crore. Punjab is the second-most indebted state in the country in terms of debt to gross state domestic product ratio. Sources said of the loan amount, Rs 18,198.89 crore will go towards repaying old loans and Rs 24,995.49 crore for servicing legacy debt. That makes up 86 percent of fresh borrowing. By March 31, 2026, the total debt of Punjab will stand at Rs 4,17,136.10 crore, an approximate 9-percent increase from the current outstanding debt of Rs 3,82,934.98 crore. In 2024-25, the government paid Rs 23,953.72 crore as interest on the outstanding debt, 23 percent of total revenue receipts. Thus, interest liability has constantly been rising due to growing debt. The debt liability has increased by Rs 1 lakh crore in the past three years. When AAP came to power in March 2022, the total debt stood at Rs 2.83 lakh crore. In the last three years, the government raised loans worth Rs 1.32 lakh crore and paid back Rs 1.05 lakh crorethis includes Rs 46,200 crore towards the principal and Rs 59,000 crore as interest. Officials said while restructuring previous loans, the government is negotiating with the financial institutions to reduce the interest rate from 11-12 percent to a capped 7 percent. Data shared by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in Parliament reveals that Punjab is the second-most indebted state in the country in terms of debt to GSDP ratio of 46.6 percent. Arunachal Pradesh is first with 57 percent, and Himachal Pradesh is third with 45.2 percent. The state budget presented on Wednesday claimed a current ratio of 44.77 percent and estimated it to be 44.50 percent in the coming year. However, the government denies the states financial condition is grim on account of accumulating debt. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the increase in debt is in consonance with the increase in the GSDP, which is expected to grow by another one percent in the next fiscal. The fiscal and revenue deficit have been pegged at 3.84 percent and 2.51 percent, respectively. The AAP government blames the legacy debt of previous governments for the states current fiscal woes. Senior Congress Leader and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa countered Cheema, asking what he could boast about in the face of the states growing debt trap. The AAP government claims that the revenue deficit trimmed to 2.51 percent. But in reality, deficit reduction was achieved by delaying Rs 3,968 crore Scheduled Caste scholarship payments and Rs 18,424 lakh pensionsrobbing vulnerable groups, he said.
BJP stages demonstration against Congress government in Himachal
BJP stages Halla Bol rally in Shimla against Congress governments alleged mafia raj in Himachal Pradesh
Woman shot during liquor party in Indore house: Three, including two siblings, arrested
INDORE: Three persons were arrested on Thursday for alleged involvement in the murder of a 24-year-old woman on March 20 in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, a police official said. Bhavna Singh was shot at during a liquor party in a rented house here and she was dumped outside a hospital by the accused, where she died some time later, the official said. We have arrested Mukul Yadav, his brother Ashu Yadav and their friend Swasti Rai from a bypass road between Delhi and Gwalior. We had earlier declared a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to their arrest. The three accused were having a liquor party with their friend Bhavna Singh on March 20. A dispute over music being played at the party led to Mukul Yadav shooting Singh in the head, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhinay Vishwakarma told reporters. Bhavna Singh was originally from Gwalior and had come to Indore to become a makeup artist, he said. The accused left her in front of a private hospital and fled. She died during treatment. The three accused, after fleeing, were hiding in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh and were planning to flee to Nepal. We have recovered a country-made pistol and two cartridge-filled magazines, he said. The police probe has found the Yadav siblings were involved in online betting, the DCP said, adding 28 mobile phones, more than 50 ATM cards, some laptops, passbooks of more than 60 bank accounts have been recovered from the accused. These accounts have several lakh rupees and we have frozen transactions related to them, Vishwakarma said. Apart from the case related to the shooting and murder, a separate FIR has been lodged in connection with online betting and a special team has been formed to probe it, he added.
Punjab's debt expected to reach Rs 4.17 lakh crore by 2026
CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government is expected to borrow Rs 49,900 crore this year alone. By the end of the next fiscal year, the state's public debt is projected to touch an alarming Rs 4.17 lakh crore, making it the second-most indebted state in the country in terms of debt to gross state domestic product (GSDP) ratio. Sources indicate that the Punjab government plans to raise a loan of Rs 49,900 crore this year, while repaying Rs 18,198.89 crore. Additionally, Rs 24,995.49 crore will be allocated towards servicing the debt. This means that 86 percent of the state's new borrowing will be used solely for repaying old loans and managing legacy debt. As a result, the state's total debt liability is expected to reach Rs 4,17,136.10 crore by March 31, 2026 an approximate 9 percent increase from the current outstanding debt of Rs 3,82,934.98 crore. In 2024-25, the state government paid Rs 23,953.72 crore in interest on the outstanding debt, which was 23 per cent of its total revenue receipts as per budget documents. Thus the interest liability has been constantly rising due to its growing debt. The debt liability has gone up by Rs 1 lakh crore in the past three years. Sources said that in March 2022, when the AAP government came to power in the state the outstanding debt of the state was Rs 2.83 lakh crore. In the last three years, the government raised Rs 1.32 lakh crore loans, and of that Rs 1.05 lakh crore debt was repaid. As of that Rs 46,200 crore has been repaid towards the principal amount and Rs 59,000 crore interest on loans has also been paid. The government has been restructuring loans taken by the previous governments as it has been negotiating with financial institutions to reduce the rate of interest on loans from 11-12 per cent to capping it at 7 per cent, said an officer. The data shared by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in the parliament reveals that Punjab is the second-most indebted state in the country in terms of debt to gross state domestic product (GSDP) ratio. The debt-GSDP ratio of Punjab is 46.6 per cent is second in the country behind Arunachal Pradesh, which stands at 57 per cent and Himachal Pradesh is at the number three position with a debt-GSDP ratio of 45.2 per cent. The Punjab Budget proposals presented yesterday claimed it was 44.77 per cent and figures stated that the debt-to-GSDP ratio in the coming year would be 44.50 per cent. The financial condition of the state is grim as debt is accumulating but the state government denies. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the increase in debt is in consonance with the increase in the GSDP, which is expected to grow by another one per cent in next fiscal. The fiscal and revenue deficit are expected to be 3.84 per cent and 2.51 per cent, respectively. The AAP government has been blaming the legacy debt of previous governments for fiscal woes of the state. Senior Congress Leader and leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said that Punjab has been the second-most debt-ridden state in the country under three years of AAP regime. In the upcoming Financial Year (2025-26) the AAP government will raise a loan of Rs 49,900 crore. Consequently, the states outstanding debt will be Rs 3.96 lakh crore by the end of next FY. When the AAP got hold of power in March 2022, the outstanding debt in Punjab was Rs 2.73 lakh crore. Is this what FM Cheema was boasting about? The AAP government claims that the revenue deficit trimmed to 2.51 percent. But in reality, deficit reduction was achieved by delaying Rs 3968 crore SC scholarship payments and Rs 18,424 lakh pensionsrobbing vulnerable groups, Bajwa stated.
'Huge dent in heart of judicial dispensation system': Former CJIs, AGs on cash haul at judge's house
NEW DELHI: Retired Chief Justices of India, former judges and Attorney Generals (AGs) said the recovery of piles of cash at Justice Yashwant Varma's residence was sad and worrisome, but wanted the probe by a three-member committee to be completed before jumping to conclusions. Former CJI K G Balakrishnan, talking exclusively to TNIE, said, Certainly this news was sad and heartbreaking for all of us. The probe panel must find out the truth and come to a logical conclusion as to where the money came from. How did it land at Justice Varmas official residence? The panel can take the help of the CCTV cameras installed there, the former CJI said. His views were echoed by former CJI Tirath Singh Thakur who said, Definitely the cash recovery was worrisome and troubling for all of us. I am taken aback by the news. The judiciary is dealing with the issue and formed a panel to inquire into it. He cautioned the media not to anticipate the outcome and come to a conclusion at present. Let us wait for the probe to be completed, he added. Former Attorney General (AG) and senior Supreme Court lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, while talking to TNIE, said, I am pained and sad to see the cash recovery from the residence of Justice Varma. This issue certainly is a huge dent in the heart of the judicial dispensation system. If the judge is found to be guilty, action should be taken at the earliest. At this stage, everything is in the public domain. The credit goes to the Chief Justice of India for taking such a courageous stand to show everything to the public. Another former AG and veteran lawyer K K Venugopal said a lot of questions have to be answered by Justice Varma. It is a sad thing not just on the part of the judiciary to see the cash recovery but for everyone. Justice Varma will depose before the in-House panel of the Supreme Court and reply to the questions put forth by it. After his deposition, the panel will examine the case from all angles, Venugopal told TNIE. He said the judge has to come clean and establish that the money recovered from his residence was not connected to him in any manner. He also has to establish that he is prima facie not involved in it. If he cannot prove it, then he shall face action, he said, adding that the faith of public in the judiciary has to be restored. This matter is hurting many of us. Let the probe be completed and the truth come out, said retired judge of the Allahabad HC Justice S R Singh, in whose court Justice Varma had appeared as a lawyer in many cases. We have to see both sides to find out whether he is involved in it or not. We cannot say that he is innocent or guilty until the probe committee comes to a conclusion, he said. Cash recovery row: Supreme Court's three-member probe panel inspects Justice Varma's residence Justice Singh noted that the internal inquiry of the judiciary is being carried out by the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice G S Sandhawalia, and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court. They are experts and handling the case very well by examining the crime scene and visiting the residence of Justice Varma. Truth will come out soon. We have to wait, he added. Commenting on the SC Collegium's recommendation transferring Justice Varma to the Allahabad HC, former Allahabad HC judge Justice Govind Mathur said the appointment of a judge to a High Court by way of transfer from one High Court to another was a rare phenomenon in our constitutional scheme, but nowadays they are made routinely. As a matter of fact, I really failed to understand why Justice Yashwant Verma was transferred to the Delhi High Court in 2021. In the present scenario, when an in-house probe has already been commenced and no judicial work will now be assigned to the judge concerned, it is difficult to agree with proposed transfer, he said. Justice Mathur further said he did not think this transfer was necessary or in any manner helpful for an effective in-house enquiry or in building public confidence in the judiciary that has been shaken as a consequence of this incident. As per media reports, Allahabad lawyers are on the path of agitation against this recommendation. This too will certainly waste judicial working days of the Allahabad High Court, which is otherwise in bad shape due to a very low number of judges, he said. Our criminal law demands that on noticing a crime's commission, Delhi police should have taken immediate action including securing the crime scene to prevent tampering with evidence or escape of suspects. Police should have seized the material found at the spot and initiated a formal investigation by registering a First Information Report (FIR). They should have ensured the scene was undisturbed until a thorough investigation. Police utterly failed to take any action in accordance with law. It is highly damaging that the entire scene of the crime has been disturbed. Till today, no case has been lodged. As such, there is no question of collection of further evidence, Justice Mathur said. Police, instead of waiting for instructions, should have acted as per law. More surprisingly, neither the Registrar General of the Supreme Court nor the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court, who were aware of the entire incident, instructed the police to take necessary steps as per the law, he said. The purpose of the in-house inquiry by a committee constituted by the Supreme Court is to satisfy itself about the existence of adequate material to initiate impeachment, Justice Mathur said, adding that the committee has wide powers to adopt its own procedure to arrive at a definite conclusion. Allahabad HC Bar Association on indefinite strike against Justice Varmas transfer
