Residents of Baddi are voicing strong opposition to a proposal to upgrade the Baddi Municipal Council to a municipal corporation, asserting it would primarily benefit industrialists and real estate developers while imposing higher taxes on locals.

Community members argue that a corporation would increase the financial burden on residents and have vowed to take legal action if the upgrade proceeds without their consent.

Prominent figures, including former Baddi Municipal Council vice-president Man Singh Mehta, BJP district secretary Gurmail Chawdhary and DS Chandel, a former BJP executive committee member, have publicly denounced the proposal.

They argue the upgrade would serve industrialists and developers exclusively, exacerbating challenges for ordinary residents. A similar attempt to elevate Baddi’s status was previously halted after widespread local protests during a BJP-led administration.

A significant concern raised by these residents is the plan to incorporate 15 gram panchayats, stretching from Kotiyan to Saned, into the proposed corporation. They highlight that these predominantly rural communities are opposed to the change, which they believe disregards their needs and circumstances.

Additionally, residents point out that the population of Baddi itself, estimated at around 29,000 as per the 2011 Census, has not been formally re-evaluated, suggesting the town may not meet the requirements for a corporation. With peripheral areas included, the combined population of Baddi, Barotiwala and 19 surrounding panchayats is estimated between 40,000 and 50,000—only just meeting the minimum criteria.

In contrast, residents of a Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) colony in Mandhala have submitted a request to be included in the upgraded corporation.

According to their representation to the Baddi SDM, Mandhala’s proximity to the Barotiwala industrial area and the urban nature of their community make it a fitting candidate for incorporation.

Led by their colony president, they argue that the area, which spans over 914 bighas and includes 880 residential plots, already possesses essential amenities such as a petrol pump, medical facility, community hall, club, nursery school, shopping centre, and even a police post.

The divergent views underscore the complexity of the proposal, with many fearing the upgrade will add undue tax burdens on locals while primarily catering to industrial and real estate interests.

Meanwhile, urbanised communities on Baddi’s outskirts see potential benefits in being included in the corporation’s jurisdiction, further complicating the decision for local authorities.

The move also has political connotation as a party in the Opposition usually opposes it while that in the ruling usually supports it.

In case the proposal sees the light of the day, a tug-of-war will be unavoidable to hold the coveted post of Mayor, which will be equally significant than an MLA’s post.

In a decisive move to curb illegal mining and protect Himachal Pradesh’s fragile environment, the Paonta Sahib Forest Division has intensified its crackdown under the leadership of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Aishwarya Raj.

Throughout October, the division’s field staff conducted a series of surprise raids that resulted in Rs 6.84 lakh in fines across 29 cases, the highest monthly penalty the division has ever imposed for illegal mining.

The recent raids, uncovering operations involving tractors, trucks, and tractor-trailers, spanned four key areas: 14 cases in Paonta, five in Majra, three in Girinagar and seven in Bhagani. These actions form part of a larger strategy aimed at deterring unlawful resource extraction that threatens local ecosystems and communities. The heightened vigilance reflects the division’s commitment to sustainable resource management and environmental conservation.

Since the start of 2024, the division has levied penalties totaling Rs 43.4 lakh across 222 cases, signaling a sharp rise in enforcement actions against illegal mining. In the period from January 2023 to date, cumulative penalties have reached approximately Rs 86 lakh. This marked increase demonstrates the division’s dedication to combating illicit mining practices that harm biodiversity and contribute to environmental degradation, such as soil erosion, river pollution and habitat destruction.

DFO Aishwarya Raj highlighted the importance of these efforts, stating: “Our aim is to curb illegal mining operations that deplete natural resources and threaten local ecosystems. This initiative is about penalties as well as raising awareness and ensuring compliance with environmental laws.”

In alignment with the state government’s commitment to ecological conservation, the Paonta Forest Division has strengthened its enforcement techniques, conducting surprise inspections and working closely with law enforcement to prevent offenders from evading penalties. Under a zero-tolerance policy led by DFO Raj, the division’s actions are setting an example within Himachal Pradesh, inspiring other divisions to take a firmer stance on similar issues.

By imposing record penalties, the Paonta Forest Division sends a clear message about the consequences of illegal mining. With continued vigilance and enforcement efforts planned, the Division aims not only to safeguard the region’s natural resources but also to serve as a deterrent against further unlawful activities. These measures underscore the importance of sustainable development while prioritizing the conservation of precious environmental resources.

After the Diwali celebrations, Himachal has shown promising air quality with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Shimla remaining comfortably below 50. This has attracted tourists to the hill queen.

The other towns across Himachal also reported experiencing normal to good levels.

Environment experts credit a growing awareness of ‘Green Diwali’ practices and an increasing shift towards using green crackers for the improvement.

Suresh Atri, an environmental expert from the Himachal Pradesh Environment Department, highlighted efforts to promote eco-friendly celebrations.

“We have established nine monitoring stations across the state to keep track of noise and air pollution levels, monitoring suspended particles,” said Atri.

He said, “There has been a considerable improvement when compared to data from previous years, with our results showing about a 30% to 40% reduction in pollution. The educational and awareness programmes are indeed changing people’s attitudes.”

Tourist hotspots such as Dharamsala, Manali, Kullu and Sundernagar are reporting air quality at consistently safe levels.

However, Atri acknowledged challenges in industrial zones like Baddi, Paonta Sahib and Kala Amb, where pollution levels are higher.

“Compared to other north Indian states, Himachal’s air quality is favourable. Himachal offers fresh air, sunlight and a healthy environment. Come and enjoy this wholesome atmosphere, which will benefit both physical and mental health,” he added.

Tourists visiting Shimla are taking notice of the healthier environment, praising the fresh air, scenic beauty and cleanliness. A tourist from Delhi, Swati, told ANI, “The air quality here is excellent as compared to Delhi. There’s greenery everywhere, and it feels refreshing. The situation in Delhi is alarming–the pollution and smog blanket the city. We need to preserve this purity for the sake of future generations.”

Another tourist, Sanjeev Bhootani from Chandigarh, expressed similar sentiments, saying, “Coming to Shimla has been wonderful. I can breathe freely here, and the fresh air and beautiful atmosphere have completely uplifted my spirits. Shimla feels like a heaven compared to the crowded and polluted cities.”

The HP High Court has directed the state government to consider a proposal for making the Police Department, irrespective of its officer(s)/official(s) rank and profile, to be a state cadre.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya permitted the Police Department to transfer non-gazetted officers grade-II, who are brought on the district rolls, to be posted to the Vigilance, CID, TTR, Ranger office, CTS, police headquarters, etc, anywhere in the state.

The court directed that the non-gazetted officers grade-II could also be posted in battalions after the completion of basic training. However, that the battalion essentially need not be in its home district.

The court clarified in its order that the department would also be at liberty to transfer every constable to specialised constabulary for cybercrime, vigilance, intelligence narcotic, SDRF etc., as there was a dire need for modern policing.

While passing these directions, the court observed that “the necessity of issuing aforesaid directions otherwise arises given the fact that the post of non-gazetted officer grade-II was made a district cadre under the archaic Punjab Police Rules enacted in 1934, which were originally applied to the combined Punjab including the current Himachal, Punjab and Haryana.

Such provisions were simply incorporated in the HP Police Act despite the fact that as against meagre perks and salaries to the non-gazetted officers at the time of enactment of the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, the same have drastically improved.

Therefore, like many of the counterparts with the same or even lesser salary and perks in other government sector, who hold state cadre post, the police also needs to be made state cadre post or else faith in the police system would be completely eroded for we have invariably found that many of the police official(s)/officer(s) have been posted for years together at one station and we are not at all ready to accept the plea that services of all such persons are absolutely ‘indispensable’.”

“We may also add that in recent times we came across a number of cases where many of the police official(s)/officer(s) have been found indulging in serious and heinous offences like carrying and transporting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance or illicit drugs falling within the purview of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and even blatantly violating law,” the court observed.

It observed that “One such incident took place in this very police station of Nalagarh where seven of its officials/officer have been found guilty of custodial torture and their services were placed under suspension and what is still worse is that these officials did not choose to surrender even after their bail petitions were dismissed by this court.”

The court directed the DGP to file a compliance affidavit by November 30.
Dire need for modern policing

The High Court has clarified in its order that the Police Department will be at liberty to transfer every constable to specialised constabulary for cybercrime, vigilance, intelligence narcotic, SDRF etc., as there is a dire need for modern policing

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park being constructed at a cost of Rs 612 crore at Bankhandi in the Dehra constituency of Kangra district would become India’s first zoo to receive certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for its sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives.

He said, “The project has officially been registered with the IGBC, which focuses on building and landscape certification. It will validate the park’s adherence to high environmental standards.” He added that the IGBC certification process signified the Himachal Government’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship and ecological balance.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu have extended heartiest greetings to the people of the state on Diwali
The Governor expressed hope that Diwali would bring abundant happiness, peace and prosperity to everyone in the state
Sukhu urged people to strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood on Diwali
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said Diwali would usher in renewed strength, progress and wealth for the state
Sukhu said, “The certification underscores the state’s priority to integrate sustainability into tourism and infrastructure development. Once completed, Durgesh Aranya will not only be a tourist attraction but also a model of sustainable infrastructure, blending conservation with innovation.”

He added, “The first phase of the park project would cover 25 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs 230 crore and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025. The entire project, with a total investment of Rs 619 crore, aims to establish the park as a significant tourist attraction and a cornerstone for boosting the tourism sector in Kangra and nearby districts.”

He said that the state government had secured permission from the Central Zoo Authority for establishing 34 animal enclosures within the Van Vaibhav Path and the Biodiversity Court of the zoological park in its first phase. “This approval enables the creation of spaces to showcase 73 species, including the Asiatic lion, hog deer, monitor lizard, crocodile, gharial and various bird species,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that a notable feature of the zoo would be a nocturnal house, designed to provide a unique view of elusive cat species. The zoo would also have a wetland aviary, designed to showcase indigenous bird species in a natural, immersive environment, he added.

He said, “The zoological park will boost tourism and provide employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth, thereby strengthening the local economy. With its natural beauty, unique attractions and eco-friendly infrastructure, the park will make Kangra district a premiere tourist destination.”

“Fairs and festivals are a testament to our rich culture and play an essential role in promoting mutual harmony and brotherhood,” said Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on the first day of the state-level Kinnaur Festival-2024 being held at the Mini Stadium at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district.

Negi, who was the chief guest of the festival being organised from October 30 to November 2, praised the culture and natural beauty of Kinnaur district. He said that the state was known worldwide for its rich heritage, attire, cuisine and unique traditions. “Despite challenging living conditions, the people of Kinnaur are known for their simplicity, humility and respect for everyone,” he added.

The minister said that in today’s changing times, the people of Kinnaur were still deeply connected to their cultural roots, having preserved their heritage and customs. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to preserving the state’s rich culture, especially in tribal regions.

Negi said that steps were being taken to promote horticulture in the state, including in tribal districts. He urged farmers and horticulturists to adopt modern techniques to increase their income. He added that the Horticulture Department regularly organised camps to train farmers in the latest technologies and tools.

Negi said that the state government was committed to providing land ownership rights to marginalised groups under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The government had instructed officials concerned to ensure the implementation of the directives in this regard, he added. Other laws like the Right to Information Act, 2005, MGNREGA and the Nautor Land Act, 1968, introduced by the then Congress government, had empowered disadvantaged groups, he claimed.

The minister visited exhibitions put up by various government departments and inaugurated several sports competitions held during the festival. A ‘shehnai’ competition was also organised on the first day of the festival.

Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner and Mela Committee president Amit Kumar Sharma welcomed the chief guest. Pinewood Public School students performed ‘Saraswati Vandana’. The first day featured a traditional Pahadi evening, Kinnauri evening and a cultural night, with performances from renowned district and state-level artistes. Artistes Ankush Bhardwaj, Harmony of Pines and Rohini Dogra performed during the evening.

The minister’s wife Sushila Devi, Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Bank Director Vikram Singh, APMC Director Umesh Negi, District Women Congress president Saroj Negi, Kalpa SDM Major Shashank Gupta, Congress leaders and representatives of panchayati raj institutions attended the event.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu celebrated Diwali with children at the Balika Ashram and the Bal Ashram at Mashobra and Tutikandi in Shimla yesterday and extended warm greetings to them.

He performed Lakshmi Pujan with the girls, wishing peace and prosperity to the people of the state. Besides, Sukhu distributed sweets, fireworks and other gifts among the children, wishing them a bright future.

Sukhu, while interacting with the inmates of both ashrams, said the government intended to take them for educational and exposure visits to Goa and other destinations in near future and would bear all expenses of their air travel, boarding and lodging in good hotels.

He said that the state government was committed to the welfare of orphans. “Their education, their upbringing and care was the responsibility of the government. Himachal is the first state to have enacted a law to adopt orphans as ‘children of the state,” he claimed. Furthermore, the government would provide Rs 75,000 for coaching expenses to support their educational pursuits, he added.

Sukhu directed the district administration to establish a digital library at the Balika Ashram at Mashobra. The children presented a cultural programme. Later, the Chief Minister celebrated Diwali with the inmates of the Nari Seva Niketan at Mashobra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of a 50-bed Critical Care Block (CCB) of the Manali civil hospital on the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day yesterday.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur, Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut and former minister Govind Singh Thakur were present in the programme held in Manali.

Former Chief Minister said that the Central Government is cooperating in every way to make the medical system in Himachal advanced and today Himachal has received the gift of schemes worth Rs 250 crore from the PM on the occasion of Dhanteras.

The LoP said that Manali is a world famous tourist destination. He said, “About Rs 24 crore will be spent on this Critical Care Block, including Rs 6 crore on the equipment.” He added that the foundation stone of units worth Rs 178 crore was also laid in AIIMS, which includes a lecture theatre hall, a 204-bed boys hostel and a 334-bed girls hostel.

The leader said “Modi ji has given not one but many big gifts to this hill state in the health sector, which include AIIMS in Bilaspur and several units worth crores of rupees in six medical colleges. This month, the Cancer Modern Medical Block and the new Trauma Centre were inaugurated in the IGMC. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the PM, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and the Central Government for giving such big gifts in the health sector to the state.”

Thakur alleged, “Our government ran one scheme after another but the current government either terminated them or stopped providing budget. The Congress government could not move even an inch forward in two years and despite getting crores from the Centre, the Chief Minister does not even say a word of gratitude.”

Local MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur greeted the guests and thanked the Chief Minister and the Central Government. He said, “The proposal for this important project was sent by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu to the Central Government in the year 2023 after approval of which its foundation stone was laid today.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today virtually inaugurated India’s first active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) fermentation unit, Kinvan Private Limited, at the Plassara Industrial Area of Nalagarh tehsil.

Set up with an investment of Rs 860 crore, the unit manufactures a key API used in the production of several antibiotics. It will meet around 60 per cent demand of the domestic market. India is heavily dependent on other nations like China and Korea for this API.

The unit will produce 400 tonnes of potassium clavulanate API annually. Its domestic demand is pegged at 700 tonnes per annum. The unit is being set up under the centrally funded Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The scheme was launched for the promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical key starting materials (KSMs)/drug intermediates and APIs in the country in 2021.

The plant spread over 70 acres will have eight fermenters of 250 kilo litres each. It has come up at plot number 1 at the newly set up Plassara Industrial Area in Nalagarh tehsil.

The plant which has achieved 45 per cent productivity till now caters to the pharmaceutical units in the state as well as Gujarat and Uttarakhand. The management hopes to achieve optimum productivity by next year which will be a major milestone in the bulk drug industry of the country.

Himachal Pradesh’s Industry, Parliamentary Affairs and Labour and Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan was the chief guest at the function held for the inauguration ceremony by the Prime Minister.

Chauhan urged the Prime Minister to increase the subsidy of Ayushman Yojana from the existing Rs 25 crore as the state incurred as much as Rs 75 crore to Rs 100 crore annually on the scheme.

The Industry Minister said, “The unit will prove a milestone in strengthening the economic sector. It will provide employment to about 1000 youth and has been set up after incurring an expenditure of Rs 860 crore.”

“The industries established in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh are making a significant contribution in the production of medicines in the country,” he remarked.

The Industry Minister said that today the Prime Minister has linked people above 70 years of age with the Ayushman Yojana. This will also benefit the senior citizens of the state.

He said that under the Ayushman Yojana, the state government has received an amount of Rs 45 crore from the Central Government, while Rs 100 crore has been spent on the treatment of patients under the scheme. He urged the MPs present on the occasion to increase the percentage of grant received from the Central Government under the Ayushman Yojana.

On this occasion, State BJP president Rajiv Bindal also expressed his views.

MP from Shimla parliamentary constituency Suresh Kashyap, Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan, MLA Nalagarh Assembly constituency Hardeep Singh Bawa, former MLA KL Thakur, chairman of Kinvan Private Limited S.S. Khilani, Director Devang Ajmera, Chief Operator RS Gujral along with senior officers of various departments were present on this occasion.

The Fourth Gorkha Rifles (4GR), hosted its Regimental Reunion on October 26-27, at 14 Gorkha Training Centre in Subathu near Chandigarh that brought together generations of soldiers, veterans and their families to commemorate 167 years of its legacy of valour and sacrifice.

Over 500 serving officers, veterans and their families from across India and Nepal attended the reunion, whiting held once in four years. A wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial to pay homage to martyrs, a bara-khana, cultural programs showcasing rich traditions of the Gorkha Rifles, a special Sainik Sammelan and release of a yearbook were also organised.

Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, Chief of Army Staff, Western Command, exhorted all ranks to uphold the tradition and ethos of the regiment.

Extending his greetings to the Gorkha fraternity on the occasion, Major General Balbir Singh, Colonel of the Fourth Gorkha Rifles, said that the regiment has a storied history, having played a key role in several significant battles and operations, both in pre-independence era and Independent India.

The reunion has served as a platform for members of the regiment to reflect on their glorious past and look forward to the future with shared pride and purpose.