The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, tabled in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday, raised serious questions about the utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in the state from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

As per the report, the Centre withheld Rs 61.07 crore due to misutilisation of SDRF funds in 2019-20. The report further noted that the misutilisation continued during the 2019-23 period, resulting in the Centre withholding Rs 254.73 crore sanctioned under NDRF.

The amount was not released due to high SDRF opening balances (Rs 745.91 crore in 2020, Rs 752.79 crore in 2021) caused by non-clearance of OB-suspense head.

Further, the Centre deducted an assistance of Rs 61.02 crore based on inaccurate notional SDRF balances, with no follow-up by the state for the release of the balance funds.

Additionally, Rs 122.27 crore remained in savings accounts instead of being invested as per regulations, resulting in loss of interest.

As per the report, the state disaster plan was not updated annually; and the State Disaster Response Force was understaffed, where only 193 of 326 positions were filled. District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) remained under-equipped due to unutilised funds, data for 9,449 works (Rs 172.47 crore) was not updated and a large number of utilisation certificates remained pending.

Lapses in Jal Shakti Dept

The report also found significant lapses in planning, execution and maintenance of minor irrigation schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and state schemes.

District Irrigation Plans (DIPs) and State Irrigation Plans (SIPs) were prepared with a total PMKSY plan of Rs 7,602.95 crore for 2016-20, including Rs 4,512.16 crore for Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) component covering 6,478 schemes.

However, only 129 schemes worth Rs 804.51 crore were sanctioned during 2017-22, with no sanctions in 2019-21. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 24 test-checked schemes lacked essential surveys, leading to incomplete schemes, damages to the scheme works and inadequate water supply.

Irregularities in Forest Dept

The CAG has also raised questions about the functioning of the Forest Department. An examination of the records of the Shimla-based nodal officer under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) revealed several irregularities.

In another case, saplings present on the forest land were not accounted for while calculating forest density. As a result, the possibility of under-assessment and consequent short realisation of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds amounting to Rs 1.33 crore cannot be ruled out, the report said.

Mining sector

The report also described the state of the mining sector under the Industries Department as concerning. Between 2018-19 and 2022-23, more than 40,000 cases of illegal mining were reported in the state, with more than 8,000 cases registered in 2022-23 alone.

The audit found that the department failed to prepare annual action plans for five years, impacting statutory inspections, royalty assessments. Project milestones under PMKKKY could not be systematically tracked.

Deficiencies in revenue collection were also revealed. The report discovered a shortfall of Rs 1.81 crore across 27 leases.

2,521 utilisation certificates pending

Institutions or organisations receiving grants have to furnish audited utilisation certificates (UCs) to the government after utilisation of Grants-in-Aid.

During the year 2024-25, Rs 7,887.44 crore pertaining to 22,512 outstanding utilisation certificates were due for the period up to March 31, 2025. Of these, Rs 4,562.91 crore pertaining to 19,991 outstanding UCs were cleared. As per the report, 2,521 UCs worth Rs 3,324 crore are pending up to 2024-25.

Two, including a Punjab resident have been arrested with 6.15 grams of crystal meth and 2.25 grams of chitta (heroin) from Kotkhai Tehsil in Shimla district.

The accused have been identified as Ramanjeet Singh (50), resident of Sector 125, Kharar, Punjab and Ruval Chauhan (26), resident of Thakrot village in Kotkhai, district Shimla.

According to police, on Sunday it received a tip-off that several individuals, who were travelling in an SUV bearing Haryana number, were in Kotkhai and were planning to sell drugs. Taking prompt action, a police team reached Kokunala area and set up a barrier. However, as their vehicle approached, the accused tried to flee from the spot, but the police were able to arrest them.

The police also seized the contraband along with one pistol and a small knife from their possession.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shimla Gaurav Singh confirmed the report and said a case under Section 108, 115(2) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Section 25 of Arms Act and sections 21 and 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS act has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway.

The supply of commercial LPG cylinders to priority sectors, including hotels and restaurants, is set to increase in Himachal. As per the notification of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, an additional allocation of 20 per cent cylinders would be made to restaurants, dhabas, hotels, food processing/dairy subsidised canteens, etc.

As per the notification, the daily sale of commercial cylinders in the state by three oil marketing companies is around 6,000 cylinders. With an additional allocation of 20 per cent cylinders, around 2,400 cylinders would be made available on daily basis.

The hotels, restaurants and dhabas would be allocated 1,000 cylinders every day. They were getting 500 cylinders as per the department’s notification on March 16. The allocation to educational institutions and hospitals and pharmaceutical industries has also increased.

Mohinder Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, said the enhanced allocation would be big relief for the hoteliers. It would provide a huge relief to the small roadside dhaba owners as well who do not have means to shift to alternate fuel to keep their dhabas operational.

“Many hoteliers and restaurant owners have shifted partially to alternate fuel to cope with the shortage of cylinders. As and when more cylinders are made available to us, it would be a big relief,” he said.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has constituted the executive committee of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), nearly one-and-a-half years after the previous body was dissolved.

The entire HPCC, except then president Pratibha Singh, had been dissolved in November, 2024. Alongside the new executive committee, the AICC has also constituted the State Political Affairs Committee, which will be headed by state party president Vinay Kumar.

The executive committee has 21 members, including Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and all ministers. Besides, 27 general secretaries and 12 vice presidents have been appointed. Madan Chaudhary has been named treasurer.

An eight-member disciplinary committee has also been constituted under the chairmanship of Kuldeep Singh Rathore.

A separate 26-member Political Affairs Committee has been formed, comprising Vinay Kumar, Sukhu, ministers and veteran party leaders.

Executive committee: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Mukesh Agnihotri, Anand Sharma, Pratibha Singh, Asha Kumari, Col. Dhani Ram Shandil, Viplove Thakur, Kaul Singh Thakur, Chander Kumar, Kuldeep Kumar, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Jagat Singh Negi, Rohit Thakur, Anirudh Singh, Vikramaditya Singh, Rajesh Dharmani, Yadvinder Goma, Ram Lal Thakur, Gangu Ram Musafir and Anita Verma.

Vice Presidents: Prakash Chaudhary, Neeraj Bharti, Bumber Thakur, Satpal Raizada, Rajneesh Kimta, Paras Ram, Mohinder Chauhan, Jeewan Thakur, Karan Singh Pathania, Amit Nanda, Chet Ram Thakur and Chander Prabha Negi.

General Secretaries: Vinod Zinta, Pawan Thakur, Anita Verma, Amit Bharmouri, Hari Krishan Himral, Surinder Mankotia, Yash Pal Tanaik, Vikas Thakur, Yashwant Khanna, Ranjeet Singh Rana, Dharmender Dhami, Manmohan Katoch, Suresh Nagta, Vivek Kumar, Devinder Jaggi, Mahender Stan, Hari Chand Sharma, Satyajeet Negi, Ramesh Chauhan, Jyoti Khanna, Yadopati Thakur, Sonia Chauhan, Balwinder Babloo, Ramesh Thakur, Chander Shekhar Sharma, Upender Kant Mishra and Deepak Sharma.

Treasurer: Madan Chaudhary

Disciplinary Action Committee: Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Ashish Butail, Bhawani Singh Pathania, Baba Hardeep Singh, Neeraj Nayar and Anuradha Rana, General Secretary (Organisation).

The proposal to shift the main station of the historic Kangra valley railways from Pathankot to the Dalhousie road has triggered widespread outrage in Kangra district. Both residents and stakeholders are terming the plan as impractical and unjustified.

The Kangra valley trains, running between Jogindernagar (Mandi) and Pathankot (Punjab), has long been regarded as the lifeline of the lower hill regions of Himachal Pradesh.

Established during the British era, this narrow-gauge railway line connects remote and rural areas through over 24 stations spread across Kangra and Mandi districts.

Pathankot, in particular, has historically served as the primary gateway to Himachal Pradesh, offering seamless connectivity to major cities in India via the Pathankot junction and Pathankot Cantonment.

Residents fear that shifting the operational terminus to the Dalhousie road, around 10 km short of Pathankot, will cause inconvenience to passengers. Daily commuters, students, traders, patients, defence personnel and tourists will be forced to arrange additional transport, leading to increased travel time, higher costs and avoidable hardships.

For many, the proposal undermines decades of established connectivity that has supported both livelihoods and regional mobility.

Concerns have also been raised over the rationale behind the proposal, which is reportedly linked to traffic congestion at some railway crossings in Pathankot.

Critics argue that this justification is fundamentally flawed and anti-people. They say that traffic bottlenecks should be addressed through infrastructure development such as the construction of flyovers, underpasses and better traffic management systems rather than by weakening a vital railway link.

Public dissatisfaction has been further aggravated by the delay in restoring full rail services on this track though the work on key infrastructure has been completed.

The Chakki bridge section has already been rebuilt, successful trials have been conducted and the Commissioner of Railway Safety has reportedly granted clearance. Yet, the absence of regular operations has made local people frustrated and they question the intent behind the delay.

The issue has also acquired a political dimension due to apprehensions that the consideration of elections in neighbouring Punjab may be influencing the decision. Residents fear that the interests of lakhs of people in Kangra and Mandi districts are being sidelined in favour of limited administrative convenience.

Members of various local organisations, including Satish Sharma, Suresh Kumar and Subhash Sharma, have opposed the plan to shift the station and demanded that it should remain at Pathankot and the proposal withdrawn.

They have also called for meaningful consultations with the public before a final decision is taken.

The groups have urged Members of Parliament – Anurag Thakur (Hamirpur), Rajeev Bhardwaj (Kangra), Kangana Ranaut (Mandi) and Indu Bala Goswami (Rajya Sabha) – to raise the issue with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and ensure that the concerns of the people of the region are addressed in Parliament.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and BJP legislators clashed on Friday over alleged irregularities in the Himcare scheme during the BJP’s tenure, flagged by the CM during his reply to the budget discussion on Wednesday.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accused the Chief Minister of making unverified claims about a scam in the scheme.

“The CM said a scam worth Rs 1,100 crore had taken place in the Himcare scheme. I want to ask how he arrived at this figure when no inquiry has been conducted so far,” Thakur said after Question Hour.

The BJP boycotted the Question Hour after the speaker did not allow it to raise the issue beforehand.

Thakur added that his government had spent a total of Rs 441 crore on the scheme, questioning how the present government could claim a scam of Rs 1,100 crore. “We demand an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into the matter,” he said.

Responding to the Opposition, the Chief Minister said the alleged scam was around Rs 100 crore, not Rs 1,100 crore. “Rs 1,100 crore is the total expenditure incurred on the scheme so far. Referring to it as the scam amount was a slip of the tongue,” he said.

Despite acknowledging the error, Sukhu maintained that irregularities had occurred. “An internal audit report flagged issues in billing and operations, including questionable medical claims such as ovarian surgery for a male patient and the use of expired eye lenses,” he said.

The CM also alleged that the scheme was poorly implemented under the previous government, citing irregularities in the empanelment of private hospitals and inflated billing.

He reiterated that the government had not discontinued the Himcare scheme but was working to improve it. “If we find a better alternative, we may replace Himcare,” he added.

The much-anticipated 60-km Parour-Padhar four-lane highway project, envisioned as a crucial link in the strategically significant Pathankot-Mandi corridor, remains mired in uncertainty even after three years.

The glaring administrative delays in the project has left thousands of commuters grappling with hardships every day.

Touted as a project of immense economic, tourism and defence importance, it has failed to register any meaningful progress on the ground.

Only recently the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had appointed a consultant for preparing the detailed project report (DPR), which ideally should have been completed years ago. The belated move has done little to inspire confidence among the public.

Shockingly, the project continues to linger at a purely conceptual stage. No final alignment has been approved, no detailed field surveys have been carried out and the crucial process of land acquisition has not even begun.

Such an inordinate delay raises serious questions about planning, coordination and accountability in the executing agencies.

Meanwhile, residents of Baijnath, Paprola, Palampur and Jogindernagar are paying the price of this prolonged inaction. The existing narrow highway, already under strain, has become a daily nightmare due to a sharp surge in traffic, particularly of heavy vehicles, and tourist inflow.

Gopal Awasthi and Kirpal Singh, president and general secretary of the Four Lane Sangharsh Samiti, say that traffic congestion has now become chronic and frequent jams stretch over several kilometres.

The situation is aggravated by narrow carriageways, sharp curves and unchecked roadside encroachments. Traffic movement is hindered for hours even when a vehicle breaks down while emergency services are routinely caught in gridlocks, putting lives at risk.

Recently, a paragliding pilot died when the ambulance carrying him was caught in a traffic jam at Baijnath.

Gopal and Kirpal say, “Serious environmental concerns add to uncertainty. As per initial indications, the proposed alignment may cut through dense forest areas, potentially leading to the felling of around 5,000 green trees, which can further delay the project.

No state or Central agency will allow the cutting of such a large number of trees.” Experts warn that such large-scale deforestation in the fragile mid-Himalayan ecosystem can trigger soil erosion, increase the risk of landslides and cause irreversible ecological damage.

There is growing skepticism over whether the project, in its present form, will even get environmental clearance or not, they add.

The sangharsh samiti leaders urge the NHAI to follow the old alignment instead of cutting of 5,000 green trees.

Meanwhile, NHAI officials have largely remained non-committal, offering no clear timeline or updates on key aspects such as alignment, approvals or execution strategy.

This silence has fuelled public resentment, with many accusing the authorities of indifference towards a project of critical regional importance.

The Pathankot-Mandi four-lane corridor holds the promise of transforming connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, boosting tourism, reducing travel time to key destinations like Manali, and strengthening strategic mobility.

However, with the Parour-Padhar highway project in limbo, these aspirations remain a distant dream.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, on Wednesday attended a long-life prayer ceremony offered by three Tibetan groups, who gathered to invoke blessings for his continued life and guidance.

The ceremony was organised by the Association of People from Central Tibet, the Association of People from the Zachuk region of Kham and the Association of People from Kyirong at the Tsuglagkhang temple complex in McLeodganj.

The ritual, presided over by Ling Rinpoche, was based on the Wish-fulfilling Wheel of White Tara, a deity associated with longevity and compassion. Senior monks, including representatives of Namgyal Monastery, participated in the ceremony, which featured prayers, symbolic offerings and sacred chants for the Dalai Lama’s long life.

Central to the ceremony were repeated invocations wishing the Tibetan leader a lifespan of “100 aeons” for the benefit of Buddhist teachings and all sentient beings. Ritual offerings included a Long-Life Arrow presented to the Dalai Lama, along with symbolic items such as a statue of Arya Tara, sacred scriptures and a stupa representing the enlightened body, speech and mind.

The ceremony also included mandala offerings and invocations to past spiritual masters, praying for the continuation of the Dalai Lama’s life and spiritual legacy.

A key highlight was the presentation of a special “World’s Refuge Award” by the Central Tibetan group. The award symbolised universal compassion, peace and the Dalai Lama’s role as a global spiritual guide. It featured motifs such as the Potala Palace and a world map, reflecting both Tibetan heritage and the message of global responsibility and non-violence.

Representatives from the Zachuk region of Kham also presented a commemorative memento and expressed hope for unity among Tibetans and a future return to Lhasa. They reaffirmed their devotion to the Dalai Lama as a symbol of compassion and spiritual leadership.

In a major breakthrough on the kidnapping and robbery attempt case on the son of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s media advisor, the Shimla police today arrested the mastermind of the crime. The police also seized about 10 live cartilages from his possession.

The accused has been identified as Manish Verma alias Manu (46), a resident of Jagheri village in the Theog subdivision of Shimla district. He was currently residing in Bhattakufar in Shimla, and was working as property dealer and contractor.

Police officials stated that on March 20, they received a complaint from Aaryan Chauhan, son of Naresh Chauhan and general secretary of Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress, that some unknown individuals in a car approached him with a firearm and a metal road with an intention of robbery and kidnapping near Tarapur village when he was on his way to Shimla. However, the accused fled from the spot as Chauhan jumped off the vehicle.

Acting swiftly, the police registered a case and reached the crime scene, where they seized the abandoned car in which the accused were travelling.

As the investigation proceeded, the police identified two individuals involved in the crime, namely Tashi Negi, a resident of Narkanda and Charanjeet Singh, a resident of Sanjauli, who were arrested by the police on March 23.

The investigation revealed that Manu was the mastermind of this entire crime. He monitored Aryan’s daily activities before planning the kidnapping.

Manu is a history-sheeter, and a case under the NDPS Act was registered against him on January 3, 2006, when he was arrested from Dhalli with 830 g hashish.

Another case was registered against him on April 20, 2009 in Theog when he tied up a watchman and stole timber. A case of kidnapping and assault was also registered against him in the Deha region of Shimla on December 14, 2021.

Police said further investigation is on.

Continuing its fight against chitta(heroin), and the individuals involved in its trade, the Cabinet today decided to disqualify the individuals involved in the heroin trade from contesting the Panchayati Raj Elections.

In the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, the government decided to bring the Bill in the current assembly session to debar such individuals from contesting in the upcoming elections.

In another decision, the Cabinet decided to set up Bio-Physics Departments in three medical colleges — IGMC Shimla, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College & Hospital and Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College.

Approval to engage 2,068 teachers in various streams for 150 CBSE schools was also given by the Cabinet.

Snowfall and rain are set to continue across Himachal Pradesh. The state’s Meteorological Department has issued yellow weather warnings for Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and Chamba districts. These districts will experience thunderstorms along with lightning and gusty winds on March 23.

The department has also forecast snow and rain for higher reaches on March 24 and 25 and for the entire state on March 26. Snowfall and rain will continue to occur in many parts of the state till March 28. During this period, minimum temperatures across the state are expected to rise by 2°C to 3°C while maximum temperatures are expected to rise by 2°C to 5°C.

Meanwhile, weather was mostly dry across the state during the past 24 hours with very few areas witnessing light rain. Minimum temperatures across the state were down by 2°C to 3°C, while maximum temperatures dropped by 2°C to 6°C.

The minimum temperature in Shimla was 7.4°C, Dharamsala 9.5°C, Manali 2.9°C, Kangra 8.9°C, Mandi 10.3°C, Solan 6.5°C, Bilaspur 11°C, Kalpa 1.2°C, Sundernagar 8°C, Bhuntar 7.1°C, Kufri 5.1°C, Kasauli 9°C, Paonta Sahib 14°C and Tabo minus 0.5°C.

The highest maximum temperature in the state was 30.2°C, which was recorded in Una. The lowest minimum temperature in the state was minus 3.1°C, recorded in Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Sunday dismissed four CID personnel from the Special Task Force (STF) Kullu after they were found involved in an LSD trafficking case registered in Shimla.

The personnel were dismissed from service under the provisions of the Constitution of India and the Himachal Pradesh Police Act.

The action follows the arrest of a Punjab resident and a woman from Sirmour on March 3, by Shimla police, who seized 562 strips of LSD worth Rs 1.1 crore in the international market.

During the investigation, police identified the main supplier, who was arrested in Haryana’s Gurugram on March 13.

Further inquiries revealed the involvement of the four STF personnel — Constable Nitesh, Constable Ashok, Head Constable Rajesh Kumar, and Head Constable Sameer Kumar. The personnel had allegedly intercepted the LSD suppliers in Kullu, but were found to have colluded with them to facilitate the drug smuggling.

A Himachal Pradesh Police spokesperson said there will be zero tolerance for any involvement of police personnel in drug trafficking or peddling. Strict action will be ensured against officers or personnel who show negligence or leniency towards such offenders.

So far, 21 police personnel have been dismissed for involvement in the drug trade.