The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), IGMC, Shimla, has demanded immediate restoration of NPA to all faculty members and transparency and adherence to seniority in promotions to administrative posts and cancellation of any irregular extensions.

The association has further demanded that the proposal to shift the gynaecology wing of Kamla Nehru Hospital to the IGMC be dropped. The association has threatened to launch a protest, including mass resignations from administrative posts and seek legal remedies if these demands were not met.

The association says that the withdrawal of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) by the state government is pushing skilled faculty to institutes like AIIMS, PGI and private hospitals.

Pointing out that faculty appointed though Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission was not getting NPA but those promoted through Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC) continue to get it, the association said this discriminatory policy had demotivated the meritorious professionals and they were looking for opportunities elsewhere.

“The government is appointing Medical Officers at a paltry salary of Rs 36,000 per month. It is disrespectful and discourages young doctors from serving in state’s public healthcare system,” the association said.

The association has alleged principal-level appointments in various medical colleges have been made in a non-transparent manner.

“Seniority has been blatantly ignored and arbitrary extensions have been given to a select few despite repeated assurances from the government that such individuals would not be granted administrative powers,” the associations said.

Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh yesterday said that former All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi,

AICC general secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi, AICC incharge for Himachal Pradesh Rajni Patil, former in charge Rajeev Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu,

Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri will be present on the statue unveiling ceremony of former six-time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh to be held on October 13.

Singh, said this while chairing a meeting of the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation that was held here today regarding the preparations for the upcoming event.

He said that since the state’s Congress government is organising the event and the Raja Virbhadra Singh Foundation is supporting it, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure its success and to make it a historical and memorable event.

The minister also urged all foundation members to carry out their responsibilities in line with suggestions and ensure that dignitaries coming from across the state face no inconvenience during this historic occasion.

“Considering the sentiments of the people of the state, the government has installed the statue of Virbhadra Singh at the Ridge,” he added.

He also revealed that beside senior Congress leaders, Cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior leaders of other political parties will also be present on the occasion.

He added all senior citizens from the state who have supported or worked with the late leader in any capacity will be invited for the ceremony.

A fresh spell of mild snowfall on the Dhauladhar ranges and overnight rainfall in parts of Kangra and Chamba districts brought a dip in temperatures across several hill towns of Himachal Pradesh, ushering in early winter-like conditions.

Dharamsala, McLeodganj, Kangra, Palampur, Dalhousie, Chamba and Bharmour witnessed a significant change in weather, with a sudden chill replacing the warm sunshine of the past few days.

According to the Meteorological Department, Dharamsala and its twin town McLeodganj recorded 25.5 mm of rainfall during the night, while Palampur received 10.2 mm, Kangra 18.4 mm and Chamba 4 mm.

The minimum temperature dropped notably, settling at 16.5°C in Dharamsala, 9.8°C in McLeodganj, 11.5°C in Palampur, 15.3°C in Kangra, 16.8°C in Chamba, 8.6°C in Dalhousie and 13°C in Bharmour.

Intermittent showers continued through the morning in several parts of the region, leading to the formation of dense fog that blanketed the upper reaches of the mountains. The Dhauladhar ranges, capped with a fresh layer of snow, presented a spectacular view, drawing tourists and photographers alike.

The change in weather has brought relief to residents and visitors in Dharamsala, where unseasonably warm and humid conditions had prevailed in recent days.

Locals described the sudden cold as a “welcome sign” of the approaching winter season, while tourism operators expect a rise in weekend tourist inflow following the scenic snowfall on the high hills.

Himachal is the first state in the country where the state government is purchasing cow milk at the rate of Rs 51 per litre and buffalo milk for Rs 61 per litre through the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made these claims while launching the Doodh Protsahan Yojana and a freight subsidy scheme at Darlaghat in the Arki assembly segment of Solan district today.

He said that under the Doodh Protsahan Yojana, the farmers registered with private milk cooperatives and selling milk to them would receive an incentive of Rs 3 per litre, which would be directly credited to their bank accounts in the DBT mode.

The farmers would also receive an instant SMS notification for which a special portal had been developed through the Himachal Pradesh NIC, he added. “The state government is making special efforts to strengthen the rural economy of the state,” he claimed.

The Chief Minister described the day as historic for the state’s livestock farmers and disbursed Rs 1.45 crore via direct benefit transfer (DBT) to 8,000 livestock farmers associated with two private milk cooperatives, namely the Gau Amrit Samiti, Paplota Samiti and the Amrit Dhara Samiti at Darlaghat of Solan district and the Kamdhenu Samiti and the Kehlur Doosh Samiti of Bilaspur district for July and August.

They were also provided Rs 1.59 crore as transport subsidy at the rate of Rs 3 per litre, which was Rs 1.50 per litre earlier, thus extending a substantial financial benefit of Rs 18.24 crore every year to the community.

Sukhu also disbursed Rs 28.80 lakh to eight self-help groups under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana and Rs 34.20 lakh to 10 progressive milk producers of the Kamdhenu Hitkari Manch, Namhol. He also launched a mobile phone app for the convenience of truck operators.

Rural women, who had gathered in strength, exhibited enthusiasm as the Chief Minister rolled out one scheme after the other to strengthen their economy. He said, “The freight subsidy for milk collected by private cooperatives has been increased from Rs 1.50 per litre to Rs 3 per litre, benefiting thousands of farmers. Milk processing facilities are being expanded through MilkFed.”

He said, “To provide maximum marketing opportunities, a campaign to constitute milk cooperative societies was kick-stated in June this year and 320 milk cooperatives have been established so far. The aim of the government is to form a milk cooperative in every gram panchayat having significant milk availability.”

Health Minister DR Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chander Kumar, MLAs Sanjay Awasthi, Ramkumar, MilkFed Chairman Budhi Singh Thakur and Wool Federation Chairman Manoj Thakur were present on the occasion.

In an appeal to Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, the Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating conditions in the Aut Tunnel on the Kiratpur-Manali highway in Mandi district. The tunnel is a crucial gateway connecting Kullu-Manali to the rest of the state.

The letter written by Hira Lal Rana, president of the HP Travel Agents Association, highlights multiple safety hazards that are putting thousands of daily commuters at risk. According to Rana, inadequate lighting, persistent water leakage and the lack of proper safety mechanisms in the tunnel are contributing to frequent accidents and near-misses, particularly for two-wheeler riders and tourists unfamiliar with the stretch.

“The lighting system in the Aut Tunnel is extremely insufficient, especially during bad weather.

It hampers visibility and creates unsafe driving conditions,” Rana noted. He emphasised that several accidents have occurred due to these issues and the situation warrants swift intervention.

The problem of seepage and water leakage in the tunnel was highlighted as a persistent concern.

“This not only damages the road surface but also increases the risk of vehicles skidding, especially during the peak monsoon or winter months,” said Budhi Prakash Thakur, chairman of the association.

Another major point of concern is the lack of visible signage, speed limit indicators and surveillance systems.

The association has argued the Deputy Commissioner that these gaps have allowed unsafe driving behaviour to go unchecked in the tunnel and its approach roads.

To address the safety challenges, the association has proposed the formation of a Special Committee for Tunnel Management and Safety.

The committee will be responsible for periodic inspections and monitoring of key infrastructure elements, including lighting, ventilation, drainage and emergency systems, specifically in the Aut Tunnel and similar structures in the region.

Given the high volume of traffic, the association has stressed the urgency of these reforms to prevent further mishaps.

“We hope the district administration will deal with this issue on priority. Delayed action can result in tragedies,” said Budhi Prakash Thakur.

The second day of the International Kullu Dasehra festival witnessed a grand and royal display as the traditional “Jaleb” procession of Lord Narsingh which captivated thousands of devotees in Dhalpur ground in Kullu district yesterday.

Accompanied by rhythmic beats of dhol drums, the deities and their followers (devlus) danced through the streets in a vibrant celebration of faith and tradition.

The procession began around 4:15 pm from Raja Ki Chanani, following the gathering of ‘devlus’ (followers of deities) who performed Nati, the traditional Kullu folk dance.

The divine parade included seven deities, notably Jamadagni Rishi of Peej, with Lord Narsingh’s palanquin at the centre, flanked by other gods’ raths on either side.

The route passed through Hospital Road, College Chowk, Circular Road, Rath Maidan, Dhalpur Chowk and the Court, before returning to its starting point. During the procession, Lord Narsingh symbolically tied a ‘raksha sutra’ (sacred thread of protection) in Dhalpur, signifying divine blessings and safety for the region.

Maheshwar, the chief caretaker of Lord Raghunath, accompanied the procession in a traditional palanquin. According to Danvender Singh, the Kardar (representative) of Lord Raghunath, this royal Jaleb continues for five days, featuring different deities each day and remains the main attraction of Kullu Dasehra.

Terming financial prudence and general discipline as his priorities, Sanjay Gupta, who has been given the additional charge of chief secretary, on Friday said that administrative secretaries and directors would have to come to the office on time and would have to inform the Chief Minister, Ministers and Chief Secretary if they are going out of town.

“The Chief Minister has also issued directions to clear the files promptly. The CM has asked me to do a review in 15 days or a month and inform him who is not working. I will personally set an example for my colleagues,” Gupta said while assuming the additional charge of Chief Secretary.

On the financial health of the state, Gupta said the state was facing a financial crunch at the moment.

“We will face financial troubles for the next five to six months, and we will have to work accordingly. However, the next two years will be financially favorable for the state,” said Gupta.

The acting Chief Secretary said that he would try to stop the wastage of money and resources. “From my experience as chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited, if we can stop wastage in the government system, it will help us cut down the losses,” he said.

“An organisation like the electricity board should never have gone into losses, but we and our officers killed the golden goose.

The power sector should not suffer losses. In the electricity board, we turned the situation around and earned Rs 500 crore in 15 months. We didn’t do anything special, just cut down the wastage,” said Gupta.

The population of snow leopards has increased significantly over the last few years. As per a study conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Wildlife Wing, in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Bengaluru, the number of snow leopards has risen to 83 from 51 in 2021.

The study also documented the presence of two new wild species in Himachal — the woolly flying squirrel and the Pallas’s cat. This study covered an area of 26,112 sq km.

PCCF Wildlife Amitabh Gautam said that snow leopards in Himachal were under threat and the Wildlife Wing was playing a key role in their conservation.

He further said that many wild species were on the verge of extinction today, and the Forest Department along with the Wildlife Wing was taking important steps to protect them.

He emphasised that along with the department, the public also needs to actively participate in wildlife conservation. He called upon local communities to join hands with the department in this mission.

Sanjay Gupta, a 1988-batch IAS officer, was yesterday given the additional charge of the post of Chief Secretary of Himachal.

He was posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning and Housing, and was given the additional charge of the post of Chief Secretary.

Gupta is the senior-most bureaucrat in the state and is due to retire next year and the additional charge of Chief Secretary has come as a surprise.

He was posted as the Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board following the retirement of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena on Tuesday evening.

Following Gupta’s posting as Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board, Additional Chief Secretary KK Pant appeared to have moved ahead in the race for the post of Chief Secretary. The Chief Minister, however, decided to give the additional charge to Gupta, apparently considering his seniority.

Pant will now function as Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Forest, Home and Vigilance. Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Sharma, who was among the candidates for the post of Chief Secretary on the basis of his seniority, was given the additional charge of the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation Limited.

Meanwhile, barely hours after Saxena retired as Chief Secretary on Tuesday evening, the government appointed him as the Chairman of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for three years.

Saxena would report to the Chief Minister and would be equivalent in rank, status and responsibility to the post of Chief Secretary.

In another major development, the government today cancelled the selection process for the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission at the eleventh hour. The selection panel had interviewed candidates and shortlisted a few of them. The selection process would start all over again now.

Within hours of his retirement as Chief Secretary on Tuesday evening, Prabodh Saxena was appointed chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for a three-year term.

As HPSEBL chairman, Saxena will report to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and will hold a position equivalent in rank, status, and responsibility to that of Chief Secretary.

To accommodate Saxena, the government has transferred incumbent chairman Sanjay Gupta to the State Pollution Control Board. Gupta will also work under the administrative control of the Chief Minister, and will have the status and rank of Chief Secretary.

Medium, small and micro pharmaceutical industries in Kangra district are staring at a crisis. At least nine such units have closed and several others are on the brink of shutdown.

Industry players warn that if corrective steps are not taken, the fallout can cripple the state’s drug manufacturing base and lead to a shortage of essential medicines in the country.

The owners of the affected units squarely blame the ‘inspector raj’ and the sudden enforcement of the revised Schedule M norms, which are aligned with US standards, for the crisis. They argue that the compliance requirements are impractical for micro and small pharma firms to meet within the limited time frame.

In Nurpur, four of the seven units have already shut operations while five factories in Sansarpur Terrace, once a bustling hub of 15 factories, have closed down, leaving over 700 workers jobless.

The factories that have shut operations are Medox Unit 1, Medox Unit Injectable, Abaris Health Care, Rachil Remedies and Dixon Pharma. Six more units are reportedly on the verge of closure.

Industry associations allege that anonymous complaints filed by middlemen often trigger regulatory crackdowns. The same intermediaries later offer contracts for the upgrade of factories and obtaining WHO certification at the cost of crores of rupees.

The pharmaceutical manufacturers also claim that they are forced to pay between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 10 lakh every year as “protection money” to avoid harassment, particularly in Kangra and Una districts.

These units have demanded a three-year grace period for the upgrade of their facilities, a 10-year compliance road map, subsidised loans of Rs 10 crore per unit and an inquiry into the alleged nexus between brokers and regulatory officials.

The additional requirements such as bio-availability and bio-equivalence (BA/BE) studies, which cost about Rs 30 lakh per product, are also hitting small players hard. The manufacturers say that the rules favour large pharma houses, pushing micro and small enterprises into a crisis.

The Himachal Pradesh Drug Manufacturers Association has stated that the ‘inspector raj’ is spreading fear in the sector. “This is not ease of doing business,” it warns. It adds that nearly 400 units in Himachal Pradesh may shut down if no relief is provided. Around 2,000 workers in Kangra district alone are at the risk of losing their jobs.

The association states that micro, small and medium firms contribute nearly 40 per cent of India’s drug production. Their collapse can lead to medicine prices skyrocketing and an acute shortages of drugs nationwide.

700 workers rendered jobless

In Nurpur, four of the seven units have already shut operations while five factories in Sansarpur Terrace, once a bustling hub of 15 firms, have closed down, rendering over 700 workers jobless

The Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Association (HPPA), Mandi District Executive Committee, held a meeting here on Sunday, under the chairmanship of district president Harish Sharma. The meeting witnessed the participation of office bearers from all 15 blocks of the district, along with representatives from the state executive committee.

Addressing the gathering, the district president expressed deep dissatisfaction over the state government’s failure to address the long-pending financial issues faced by pensioners. He revealed that despite multiple meetings with the CM, no concrete action has been taken so far. “We were assured repeatedly, but so far no progress has been seen,” said Sharma.

He said the pensioners had given the state government ample time, setting a deadline in September to resolve their grievances. However, with the government continuing to delay action, the association has now resolved to launch a statewide protest in October.

“Our patience has run out. We are not receiving our dearness allowance (DA), medical reimbursement claims remain unpaid and retirees from 2016 to 2022 are still waiting for their due financial benefits. This neglect is forcing us – senior citizens in the twilight of our lives – to take to the streets,” Sharma stated.

The attendees at the meeting unanimously agreed on organising demonstrations against the government’s apathy. Several key resolutions were passed, including intensifying efforts to highlight the plight of pensioners and rallying support across the state.

State media in-charge Kuldeep Guleria reiterated the association’s demand for immediate government action, warning that if neglected further, the protest movement would intensify across the state.

The Himachal Pradesh government has been proudly sending teachers on costly foreign exposure visits so they may return brimming with new methods to uplift the quality of education in government schools.

But back home in Sirmaur, a cheque signed by the principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Ronhat, has done more to expose the state of education than any overseas study tour ever could.

The cheque, worth Rs 7,616, has gone viral not for the money it carried, but for the linguistic acrobatics it displayed.

While the numbers were correctly penned, the words have etched themselves into internet history: “Saven Thursday six Harendra sixty rupees only”.

One social media user remarked that if Shakespeare were alive, he might have quietly retired after reading this.

For the public, it was comedy gold. For the school system, a punch in the gut. Social media is buzzing with questions: if the head of a senior secondary school writes “Thursday” instead of “Thousand” and “Harendra” instead of “Hundred”, what hope remains for the students? The cheque has become less a financial instrument and more a grammatical monument.

Adding to the embarrassment, sources revealed that the cheque was rejected by the bank, forcing the school to issue a corrected one.

The photo of the original rejected cheque, however, found its way to social media and has since spread like wildfire, amplifying the ridicule.

Ironically, the same government that preaches quality education is footing hefty bills to send teachers abroad for training. Perhaps, before landing in Singapore or other countries, a stopover at a basic English language refresher in Shimla might save taxpayers a fortune.

Social media critics argue this single mistake reflects poorly on an entire institution. Defenders shrug and say everyone makes spelling errors.

But rarely do spelling errors carry official stamps, signatures and the weight of public money. Efforts were made to contact the school principal to seek their response on the viral cheque, but despite attempts, they could not be reached.

At the end of the day, one cheque has succeeded in doing what government circulars, policies and campaigns have failed to — it has made everyone talk about the real condition of government schools.

And until the system ensures that “Seven Thousand Six Hundred Sixteen” is written exactly as it should be, no number of foreign tours will rescue the credibility of public education.

The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) on Sunday commemorated its 35th Raising Day in Shimla, with several events organised to mark the occasion.

The events kicked-off with a captivating band display at the Ridge Maidan, where the Army Symphony Band showcased a diverse repertoire, ranging from inspiring military music to popular Bollywood numbers.

A ‘run for excellence’ was flagged off by Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ARTRAC. The 3-km upslope stretch from the Institute of Advance Studies to the Ridge witnessed enthusiastic participation by the troops, families and children, displaying the spirit of unity, pride, and camaraderie.

The ARTRAC chief, while appreciating the participants, emphasised the importance of staying fit and healthy, especially in today’s digital age.

He further highlighted ARTRAC’s commitment towards physical fitness as a part of the Fit India initiative.

One of the seven commands of the Army, ARTRAC was raised at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh in 1991 with Lt Gen AS Kalkat as its first commander, and moved to Shimla in March 1993.

ARTRAC is responsible for institutionalised training in the Army through 34 training establishments spread all over the country, formulating military doctrines and integrating new technologies and innovations into the training curriculum.

The Command plays a vital role in the development of military leadership at various levels and is the central coordinating body for all training activities within the Indian Army, besides studying global events and absorbing lessons from them.

With future conflicts expected to be shaped by advanced technology, 15 major Army training institutions are being developed into ‘Centres of Expertise’ focused on 33 niche technologies.

ARTRAC aims to adopt all of these by 2030, backed by a planned investment of Rs 390 crore in research and development, infrastructure, and training over the next five years.

As part of the Army’s roadmap for ‘Decade of Transformation’ and ‘Year of Technology Absorption’, ARTRAC has undertaken 57 initiatives in the domains of jointness and integration, force restructuring, technology absorption and modernisation, systems, processes and functions and human resources management.

The procurement of paddy in Kangra, the largest district of Himachal Pradesh, will commence on October 3. Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa has directed all departments concerned to ensure adequate storage facilities and smooth operations in grain markets before the procurement season begins.

Bairwa has urged farmers to register their crop details on the government’s ‘Sahi Fasal Sahi Daam’ portal and warned that those who fail to do so may face delays in receiving the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Central Government has fixed an MSP of Rs 2,389 per quintal for paddy this season. “The portal has been introduced to bring transparency and prevent irregularities during paddy procurement. Our effort is to make grain markets farmer-friendly and ensure timely payments,” he adds.

He says that the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Agriculture Department and the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) have been asked to expand platforms, build boundary walls to check stray animals and provide basic amenities like toilets, electricity, CCTV camera surveillance and security staff at the procurement centres. Additional rented warehouses are also being arranged to prevent grain damage, he added.

The directions come amid mounting concerns among farmer groups and panchayat representatives over inadequate storage and infrastructure in mandis.

This year, the procurement exercise faces an added challenge as prolonged rain and floods have affected the quality of paddy, raising apprehensions about the rejection of produce under the Food Corporation of India (FCI) norms.

Observers say that the state government’s handling of paddy procurement in Kangra carries a political weight.

The district, which sends 15 MLAs to the state Assembly, is a key agrarian belt and often sets the tone for electoral trends in lower Himachal. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur represents the Dehra Assembly constituency in the district.

For the ruling Congress, ensuring a hassle-free procurement process is being seen as a test of credibility among rural voters, especially at a time when farmer discontent over market facilities has been simmering, keeping in view of the past experience.

BJP leaders are expected to keep a close watch on the exercise, as lapses in the procurement process is likely to become a political flashpoint ahead of the panchayat and civic elections.

Crop quality hit by prolonged rain, floods

This year, the procurement exercise faces an added challenge as prolonged rain and floods have affected the quality of paddy, raising apprehensions about the rejection of produce under the Food Corporation of India (FCI) norms