Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the government will take stringent action against those involved in the illicit liquor trade. He made this statement during the passing of the Himachal Pradesh Excise (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the assembly today. The Bill was passed through a voice vote.

CM Sukhu revealed that a 1,200-commando force will be raised, with personnel assigned to the excise and police departments to combat illicit activities. He emphasised the need for strict action against those engaging in illicit distillation and announced plans to enhance penalties.

Sukhu criticised the previous BJP government for not taking adequate action after eight persons died from consuming illicit liquor. He assured that his government will take decisive action against those involved in the illegal activity.

The Bill aims to curb the manufacture, trafficking and consumption of illicit liquor, which has resulted in loss of human lives. It seeks to update the law related to liquor production, manufacture, and sale, and grants powers to the government to regulate the import, export, and transfer of liquor.

The other objectives of the amendment include — consolidating and updating the law related to intoxicating liquors; enhancing effectiveness in investigation and trial of offenses under the Act; granting powers to the government to prohibit or permit the import, export, and transfer of liquor; setting limits on the sale of retail and wholesale liquor.

The government is determined to curb the menace of illicit liquor manufacturing, seizure, confiscation, and disposal, and ensure a safer environment for citizens.

Hindu right bodies stage mass protest in Shimla over ‘illegal’ mosque
Demanding demolition of the mosque, protestors carried saffron flags and banners bearing

Hindu right bodies on Thursday staged a massive protest at Chaura Maidan here in the vicinity of Vidhan Sabha, demanding demolition of an “illegal” mosque in Sanjauli.

The area teemed with hundreds of demonstrators, several of whom carried Hindu religion insignia, such as saffron flags and banners bearing Lord Ram’s image.

Dev Bhumi Shatriya Sangathan president Rumit Singh Thakur, who gave a call to “sanatanis” to assemble in Shimla, said people from across the state responded to his call and demonstrated “Sanatan unity”.

The Thursday protest was a fallout of an attack on a businessman in the Malyana area on August 30, allegedly by some people from the Muslim community.

On Sunday, people gathered in Sanjauli and demanded the demolition of a mosque there, as well as action against the guilty in the Malyana attack under the charge of attempted murder.

Thakur on Thursday alleged that outsiders are coming to Himachal Pradesh in droves and demanded the government verify their identity and register their trades.

He said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had called him yesterday and assured him of an action in the matter.

Sukhu on Thursday told reporters that all residents of the state have the same rights and he has respect for all religions.

“Peaceful protests are permitted but nobody will be allowed to take law into his hands,” he said.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said the mosque is built on government land and the matter has been sub judice for the past 14 years.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said there will be no laxity in dealing against any encroachers.

“Nobody is above the law and whatever action is taken would be under the parameters of the law whether it is by the municipal corporation or police,” he said.

Amidst allegations of political vendetta by the Congress, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday passed the Himachal Pradesh Legislative (Allowances and Pension) Amendment Bill, 2024 Act 1971 to deprive MLAs disqualified under the anti-defection law of pensionary benefit and other allowances.

Defending the Bill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said it is a landmark amendment which is necessary to uphold democratic norms. “This Bill will prove to be a deterrent against those wanting to use unfair means, including use of money power or other allurements to topple democratically elected governments. It has been brought to uphold clean democratic norms and traditions,” said Sukhu.

There is also provision in the Bill to recover the pension already drawn by an MLA, who has been disqualified under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. “I have consulted top legal experts in Delhi before the Bill was enacted, so that we discourage defection and uphold the democratic values,” he asserted.

During the Rajya Sabha elections, six Congress MLAs cross-voted and despite issuing of a whip they remained absent during passing of budget, attracting their disqualification, Sukhu said. “It was for the first time in the history of Himachal that such a thing happened. You cross-voted as you were unhappy with me, but why did you not support the Budget being loyal party men,” he quipped.

“There was open display of goondaism inside the Assembly. The six Congress MLAs remained inaccessible as they came and left Shimla in choppers. They remained in hiding in five-star hotels in Panchkula, Rishikesh and Gurgaon for a month,” said CM Sukhu.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said it is wrong to unleash political vendetta. “There is no question of invoking anti-defection law in cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election. The 10th Schedule cannot be enforced as they were not Members of this House at that time,” said Thakur. He said the general mood on social media is already against salaries, pensions and allowances of the 68 MLAs, so this amendment must be withdrawn as majority of MLAs are dependent only on the salaries and pension.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said party hoppers must be denied pension as they try to weaken democracy. Hamirpur MLA Ashish Sharma said being an Independent MLA, he was free to cast his vote in anybody’s favour but he and his family were victimised.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma said the CM cannot make laws to settle personal scores and unleash vendetta. Sulah MLA Vipin Parmar said the Bill has been brought in a haste and when people have already decided their fate, why unleash a political vendetta. Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal said the Bill should be sent to the Select Committee. CPS Sanjay Awashty said an attempt was made to murder democracy by the BJP.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said the salaries and pensions of employees and retirees of various departments in the state will now be disbursed on the fifth and 10th of every month, respectively, till fiscal prudence measures are in force considering the grave financial crisis in the state.

Replying to the issue of delayed salaries raised by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur in the Vidhan Sabha, the CM said the employees would get salaries on September 5 and retirees their pensions on September 10.

He clarified that the staggered payment of salaries would not apply to employees and pensioners of boards and corporations as they met this expenditure through their own resources.

However, we will take into account the pleas of employees on the payment of EMIs on loans raised by them being paid on time,” he added.

Sukhu said that by deferring the payment of salaries and pensions, the government would save Rs 3 crore monthly and Rs 36 crore annually being paid as interest on loans.

As part of fiscal prudence, effort is being made for mapping of expenditure with revenue to save money being paid as interest on loans. We spend Rs 1,200 crore monthly on salaries and Rs 800 crore on pensions, so we need Rs 2,000 crore every month for this,” he said.

Sukhu said the reason for delay in payment of salaries and pensions is that the government wants to save the interest amount that has to be paid on the loans raised every month to pay salaries and pensions. “We have to pay salaries and pensions on first of each month while the Rs 520 crore revenue deficit grant (RDG) is received on sixth of every month. We have to raise loans at 7.5 per cent interest rate to pay salaries on the first of every month,” he said.

“Today, people who took anti-employees decisions are posing to be pro-employees. The state will be self-reliant in 2027,” said Sukhu in an oblique reference to the previous BJP government.

“When we came to power on December 11, 2022, there was a financial crisis. Our government is working towards making HP self-reliant by taking every section of society into confidence by citing the challenges,” he said. “We are trying to change the system and are moving towards financial discipline,” the CM said.

“What were the reasons that in 2021 despite there being revenue surplus, Rs 10,000 crore DA and arrears were deferred by the BJP regime,” he said. “A liability of Rs 2,200 crore was left by your government which believed in giving freebies by providing free water and opened 600 institutions. We are moving towards fiscal discipline to improve the financial health of the state,” he said.

Raising a Point of Order, LoP Jai Ram Thakur said the serving and retired employees had not got their salaries which is an urgent issue that the house must debate. “The CM keeps changing his stance every day, so the state wants to know the real position with regard to its finances. The house must debate the issue so that the government gives a clarification and employees know as to when exactly they will get their salaries,” said Thakur, adding that his government cannot be blamed for the financial crisis. “If we are discussing the issue, we need to go back to 1993 when the trend of raising loans was started,” he said.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that the state isn’t in financial distress as is being feared following the decision to defer the salary and perks of ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries and chairmen of boards and corporations. “The talk of the state wandering into the financial mess or crisis is not true. All this is a part of the reforms and to instill some discipline among all sections of society,” the Chief Minister said.

Following the announcement of the deferment of salary and perks, the speculation is rife that the financial situation of the state had deteriorated to such extent that the salary and pensions of the government employees and pensioners would also be delayed by at least a few days this month.

Rejecting all such speculations and theories, the Chief Minister further said that all efforts and work of his government were directed at making the state self-sufficient by 2027 and the most prosperous state in the country by 2032. “There’s an urgent need to reform the system running for the last 40 years, and I am trying to bring in reforms. And these reforms are improving our economy at a good pace. But when such reforms are carried out, some problems do crop up,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister also defended the decisions to waive off subsidies in power and water. “The previous governments have given several subsidies to the people. We have been getting calls from the people that they want to give up their power subsidy as they pay a lot of income tax. Others say they don’t want to consume free water. We are looking into it and moving forward with discipline. Such measures are having a desired effect and our revenue is increasing,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had cleared the arrears of 27,000 pensioners above the age of 70 this year and 7 per cent Dearness Allowance had been granted to all government employees. He, however, added that the government had to work for the welfare of other sections, too, which includes farmers, labourers, orchardists, women, and small shopkeepers. “We need to bring in reforms to give quality education and health services to all these sections,” he said.

The CM also accused the Centre of withholding the state’s Rs 9,200 crore of New Pension Scheme, 9,300 crore of post disaster needs assessment and its share of Rs 4300 crore from BBM projects.

People want to give up subsidy

The previous governments have given several subsidies to the people. We have been getting calls from the people that they want to give up their power subsidy as they pay a lot of income tax. Others say they don’t want to consume free water. We are looking into it and moving forward with discipline. Such measures are having a desired effect and our revenue is increasing. — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister

Responding to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s claim that the state wasn’t facing any financial crisis, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur asked why was the government on a loan taking spree if there was no financial crisis? “Also, the government must tell people why Sahara scheme for the people suffering from chronic disease has been stopped? And why open-heart surgeries under Himcare scheme have been stopped?” asked Thakur.

The former Chief Minister further asked why the youth were not getting jobs and why appointments were not being made even after the results are announced.

He further alleged that the Chief Minister was causing embarrassment to the state with his fast-changing stand. “One day he says the state’s financial condition is not good, and the next day he says it is fine,” said Thakur.

Thakur further said that the Opposition had given the government enough time to improve its policy and intentions, but it is clear from its one-and-a-half-year tenure that it was not interested in public interest issues. “It is only working on the agenda of promoting its friends. The BJP will not tolerate this,” he said.

Thakur further said that the people of the state were unable to understand the intentions of this government. “The Chief Minister and his ministers say something in the morning and something else in the evening. In the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that ministers, CPS, ministers and MLAs will not take salaries for two months. And the in the evening, it comes to light that the Chief Minister has increased the honorarium of his close friend from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,30,000,” said Thakur.

‘Causing state embarrassment’

The Chief Minister is causing embarrassment to the state with his fast-changing stand. One day he says the state’s financial condition is not good, and the next day he says it is fine. It is clear from its one-and-a-half-year tenure that it was not interested in public interest issues. It is only working on the agenda of promoting its friends. The BJP will not tolerate this. — Jai Ram Thakur, former CM

Himachal Pradesh has recorded a 24 per cent deficit in rainfall between June 1 and September 1 despite spells of heavy rains during the ongoing monsoon that caused extensive damage and claimed over 150 lives in the state.

Of the 12 districts in the state, 11 recorded a rainfall deficit. Only Shimla district received 10 per cent excess rain, according to the Meteorological Department.

The state received 471.1 mm of rainfall in the current monsoon season against an average of 618.9 mm, a deficit of 24 per cent.

According to data from the weather department, Lahaul and Spiti district recorded the highest 73 per cent rain deficit, followed by Kinnaur 43 per cent, Chamba and Una 34 per cent each, Hamirpur 33 per cent, Solan 31 per cent, Kullu 22 per cent, Sirmaur 16 per cent, Mandi and Bilaspur each 11 per cent, in Kangra eight per cent.

So far, 151 people have died in rain-related incidents since the onset of monsoon on June 27 till Saturday evening, officials said, adding the state has suffered losses amounting to Rs 1,265 crore due to the damage caused by the rainfall.

The weather remained mainly dry in the state since Saturday evening, while traces of rain were recorded in Neri and Kufri. The local meteorological office issued a ‘yellow’ alert of heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in the state on September 3.

Miscreants assaulted doctors at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College and Hospital at Nerchowk in Mandi district on Saturday night.

The miscreants, who arrived in two vehicles, entered the hospital premises and assaulted the trainee doctors, who were on duty.

The security guard was deceived by the attackers.

The incident caused distress among the doctors, who reportedly damaged the miscreants’ vehicles.

Upon receiving information, College Principal Dr DK Verma arrived at the scene. Dr Verma said a complaint was submitted to the police.

The Balh police have filed a case against the attackers.

The incident has led to widespread anger among the doctors, who are concerned about their safety.

Mandi SP Sakshi Verma said the miscreants would be apprehended soon.

A total of 72 roads have been closed in Himachal Pradesh following rain, officials said on Saturday even as the local Met office here warned of heavy showers at isolated places on September 2.

Of the 72 roads, 35 are closed in Shimla, 15 in Mandi, 10 in Kangra, nine in Kullu and one each in Una, Sirmaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts, according to the state emergency operation centre.

Ten power and 32 water supply schemes have also been disrupted in the state due to rain, it said.

According to the centre, 150 people have died in rain-related incidents since the onset of the monsoon on June 27 till Friday and the state has suffered losses amounting to Rs 1,265 crore due to the damage caused by the rainfall.

Intermittent rains continued to lash parts of the state since Friday evening and Sundernagar recorded 44.8 mm of rain followed by Shilaroo (43.1 mm), Jubbarhatti (20.4 mm), Manali (17 mm), Shimla (15.1 mm), Slapper (11.3 mm) and Dalhousie (11 mm).

The local meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow’ alert of heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places in the state on September 2.

Himachal Pradesh’s rainfall deficit so far in the past three months since June 1 till August 31 stands at 23 per cent with the state receiving 471.1 mm rainfall against an average of 613.8 mm.

The drones hovering over the official residence of Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur were not for surveillance but deployed by the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) for mapping the houses under 24×7 water supply scheme, officials said on Saturday.

Thakur had created a commotion in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday alleging that his residence was under drone surveillance operated from the local SP’s residence, but the SJPNL set the record straight, saying a survey for mapping of houses was being done through drones by the company with due permission from the government.

Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping is a part of the work awarded for the 24×7 water supply project for Shimla city for data collection and planning, SJPNL Managing Director Devender Thakur said.

The SJPNL had got permission from the state government to fly drones in the municipal corporation area for GIS mapping of all the properties from August 5 to September 9, 2024, he added.
The drone survey is an effective mapping exercise for designing and laying a water pipeline network for the state capital, said officials, adding that a survey of every ward is being done and pictures are also being taken, besides taking a record of water consumption of every household.

Jai Ram Thakur, the then chief minister in 2022, had laid the foundation stone of the first phase of this project. The SJPNL gave the responsibility of the Rs 872 crore second phase of the project to Suez India company.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur on Friday locked horns over allegations of phone tapping and drone surveillance levelled by the LoP against the state government in the Vidhan Sabha.

The issue was raised by the former chief minister through a point of order at the start of the assembly proceedings.

Drones manned from the residence of the SP have been flown over my house since 4 am today, which is very serious and totally unacceptable,” said Thakur.

“During political turmoil earlier this year also, there was surveillance on every person and vehicle entering my house. Phones are being tapped, besides keeping surveillance on elected representatives, which is breach of my privacy. The officials are crossing the limits,” he said.

Thakur also dismissed government claims that drones were being used by Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Ltd (SJPNL) and not the police.

Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said he had taken note of the issue.

After the question hour got over, CM Sukhu dismissed allegations levelled by LoP by stating that he was trying to create sensation.

“It is a very serious matter as you are LoP and we are concerned about your safety and security. My government does not believe in this kind of surveillance but we will find out and take action if anyone is found guilty. We will also write to the CBI and ED to find out if they are using drones,” the chief minister said

A total of 134 roads, including National Highway 5, were closed on Thursday in Himachal Pradesh following rains, the state emergency operation centre said.

The local meteorological office warned of low to moderate flash flood in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan districts till Friday and issued a yellow alert of heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places in the state on September 2.

The MeT office also predicted heavy rains in 10 out of 12 districts of the state barring Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti on Monday.

Besides National Highway 5 being blocked at Negulsari in Kinnaur district, maximum 59 roads were closed in Shimla, 28 in Sirmaur, 16 each in Kullu and Mandi, 10 in Kangra, two in Lahaul and Spiti, one each in Kinnaur, Una and Chamba, as per the data shared by the state emergency operation centre (SEOC).

As many as 132 power and 54 water supply schemes have also been disrupted in the state, the SEOC said.

Meanwhile, moderate rains lashed several parts of the state in the past 24 hours since Wednesday evening.

Chopal recorded 40.4 mm of rain followed by Nahan 24 mm, Dhaulakuan 21 mm, Poanta Sahib 15.4 mm, Una 14.6 mm, Bharwain 12 mm, Dalhousie 11 mm, Dharamshala and Sarahan 10 mm each, Dharampur 8.6 mm, Sangla 8.2 mm, Mandi 7.6 mm, Kangra 7.4 mm, Kotkhai 7.2 mm, Shimla 5.4 mm and Manali 5 mm.

Himachal’s rainfall deficit so far since the onset of monsoon on June 27 stands at 23 per cent with the state receiving 464.1 mm rainfall against an average of 603.7 mm.

As many as 144 people have died in rain-related incidents so far this year and the state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,217 crore, officials said.

On Thursday, Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest place in the state, recording a low of 9.5 degrees Celsius, while Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur district was the hottest with a maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees.

In view of the grave financial crisis being faced by the Himachal Pradesh Government, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced that he along with all ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries and chairmen and vice-chairmen of boards and corporations would not take any salary and allowances for a period of two months.

Making a statement in the Vidhan Sabha today, Sukhu said: “I urge all the members of the Assembly to voluntarily take a similar decision”. Efforts are being made to increase revenue and reduce unproductive expenditure, though it will take some time for the results to become visible, he added.

Expressing concern over the dismal financial position of the state, Sukhu said the revenue deficit grant (RDG) for the year 2023-24 was Rs 8,058 crore, which has been reduced by Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 6,258 crore during the current financial year. “In 2025-26, the revenue deficit grant will be reduced by another Rs 3,000 crore to a mere Rs 3,257 crore, which will make it even tougher for us to meet our needs,” he stated.

Seeking adjournment of the business listed for the day to hold a debate on the deteriorating law and order situation in Himachal, the Opposition BJP today staged a walkout on being denied the opportunity by Speaker Kuldeep Pathania.

Immediately after the House completed obituaries to former MLAs of the House on the opening day of the monsoon session, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said some BJP legislators sought a debate under Rule 67 on the deteriorating law and order situation.

Thakur said despite such serious crime taking placing every now and then, the government was casual and unconcerned. “Never before has an attack taken place on court premises, which happened in Bilaspur. The drug, scrap, mining, forest and contractor mafia was flourishing in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area with no police action,” he remarked.

Even as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu contended that an urgent debate is held by suspending all business only in an emergency situation, the BJP remained steadfast on its demand for a debate. “Stringent action as per law has been taken against every crime, be it small or big. However, the House will be run as per rules. Moreover, the BJP is seeking debate on a fight between two drug mafia groups which will be an insult to the House,” he said.

Thakur urged Speaker Kuldeep Pathania to allow a debate on the law and order situation. He said considering the sensitivity of the matter, a debate on this issue was urgent and must be taken up by postponing the business listed for the day. Randhir Sharma also said the situation was very serious as firing incident took place on the court premises.

Giving his ruling, Pathania said under Rule 67, a debate is allowed only after the consent of the Speaker. “Today at 9.32 am, an adjournment notice under Rule 67 was sought by more than half a dozen BJP MLAs. I do not think a debate can be held by invoking Rule 67 but under Rule 130 a discussion can be held later,” Speaker assured.

Dissatisfied by the Speaker’s ruling, the BJP legislators staged a walkout from the House. Condemning the walkout, the Chief Minister said it was for the first time that a resolution has been moved to discuss an incident involving drug mafias. “A debate on damages suffered due to monsoons and loss of life is far more important that debate on clash between drug mafias,” said Sukhu.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that some BJP legislators have already sought debate under Rule 130 on law and order. “The LoP had sought debate on damages due to monsoons for which the government is prepared. We have no objection on discussion on law and order also for which many BJP MLAs have given notice under other rules,” he said.

Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said it was so unfortunate and shocking that the opposition wants a debate on the gang war between two drug mafias. This only reflects the mental bankruptcy in the opposition. “The House will be run as per rules and decorum. The only agony is that Congress strength in the House is again up to 40. They need to introspect and act like a responsible opposition,” said Agnihotri.

An amendment Bill to increase the minimum age of marriage for girls in Himachal Pradesh by three years to 21 was passed unanimously without discussion in the assembly on Tuesday, the first day of the monsoon session, bringing it at par with that of men.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil presented the Himachal Pradesh Child Marriage Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the House.

Now, the Bill will be sent to the Governor for approval.

The minimum age of marriage for girls in the state is 18 years. The state government is increasing it by three years. Its draft was approved by the Cabinet seven months ago.

Shandil informed the House that the girls would now get opportunities to progress. “Even today some people marry at a young age. Owing to this, the children cannot study and cannot progress in life.”

Shandil emphasised the government’s dedication to provide the girls with better opportunities for education and career growth.

“Raising the marriage age (from 18 to 21) will ensure that girls are given the chance to fully develop and achieve their potential before entering into marriage,” he said.

He pointed out that early marriages often result in negative health outcomes for young mothers and restrict their personal and professional development.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu had directed that a committee be formed to look into the issue of increasing the marriage age.

On December 8, 2023, an official statement said as per the direction of the CM, a committee to examine an increase in the marriage age of girls in Himachal Pradesh has been formed.

The committee comprised Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary M Sudha Devi, who chaired the panel, with Rural Development Secretary Priyatu Mandal, Law Secretary Sharad K Lagwal and Director of Labour and Employment Manasi Thakur as members. Priyanka Verma, managing director of the National Health Mission, was the member secretary of the committee.

The village of Bharli in Shiva Panchayat in the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district, is mourning the loss of its 25-year-old son, Ashish Kumar, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the nation during ‘Operation Alert’ in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ashish’s mother, Santaro Devi, had dreamed of seeing her son married, but those dreams were shattered when she learned of his martyrdom. His twin brother, Rohit, is devastated by the loss.

Grenadier Ashish Kumar, born on March 14, 1999, was serving in the 19 Grenadiers Unit of the Indian Army. He joined the Army six years ago, following in the footsteps of many brave soldiers from his region. His father, Shyam Singh, had passed away, leaving behind Ashish’s mother, elder brother Rahul, twin brother Rohit, and sister Pooja, a forest guard.

Ashish’s mortal remains are expected to reach his native village by Thursday evening, with full military honours. Major Deepak Dhawan, Deputy Director of Soldiers’ Welfare Board, confirmed the incident and is working to ensure the swift return of the martyr’s body.

This is the second loss for the region this month, following the martyrdom of Praveen Sharma on August 10. The sacrifices of these two brave soldiers will be remembered for generations to come.

The chief secretaries and finance secretaries of 17 states and union territories, including those of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, will appear in person on Tuesday before the Supreme Court for failing to clear the arrears of revised salary and pension of judicial officers in terms of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission’s recommendations.

A three-judge Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud on August 22 ordered them to personally appear before it to explain the non-implementation of SNJPC’s recommendations after amicus curiae K Paramesha submitted that as per the responses received from the States/UTs, 17 states/UTs have still not complied with its various orders, including those passed last month.

Besides Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, the states and UTs whose chief secretaries and finance secretaries will appear before the court are: Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Bihar and Odisha.

“We direct that, in terms of the previous directions, the Chief Secretaries and the Finance Secretaries of the aforesaid states shall remain personally present in court on 27 August 2024 at 10.30 am,” ordered the Bench which also included Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra.
“We know how to extract compliance now. If we just say that the chief secretary will be present if the affidavit is not filed then it will not be filed. We are not sending them to jail but let them be here and then an affidavit will be submitted. Let them be personally present now…The chief secretaries and finance secretaries have to be personally present. Failing compliance, the court will be constrained to initiate contempt,” it had warned on July 11.

“Though seven opportunities have been granted to the states, it appears full compliance has not been effected,” the Bench had noted.

On July 21, there were 21 defaulting states/UTs, including Punjab, which were to file compliance reports by August 20, failing which their chief secretaries and finance secretaries were to appear personally before the top court.

However, on August 22, the amicus curiae informed the Bench that four of them have filed compliance reports and only 17 states/UTs remained.

Expressing strong displeasure over the failure of states to implement the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission, the Bench had on July 11 made clear that it will not grant any further extensions.

The SNJPC’s recommendations covered pay structure, pension and family pension and allowances, besides dealing with the issue of establishing a permanent mechanism to determine subjects of service conditions of the district judiciary.

The Supreme Court had on January 4 asked high courts to set up a two-judge committee each to oversee the implementation of its orders on pay, pension and other retirement benefits for judicial officers in terms of the Commission’s recommendations.

The disbursements on account of arrears of salary, pension and allowances due and payable to judicial officers, retired judicial officers and family pensioners shall be computed and paid on or before February 29, 2024, it had ordered.

Maintaining that there’s a need to maintain uniformity in service conditions of judicial officers across India, the top court had said judicial independence — necessary to preserve the faith and confidence of common citizens in the rule of law — can be ensured and enhanced only so long as judges are able to lead their life with a sense of financial dignity.

Regarding tax deduction at source (TDS) by states on allowances due to serving and retired judicial officers, the Bench had said, “Wherever exemptions are available under the Income Tax Act from deduction of TDS on allowances, the state governments shall ensure that no deductions are made. Wherever TDS are wrongly deducted, the amount shall be refunded to judicial officers.”

No previous state government has been able to deal with the contentious issue of the merger of loss-making public sector undertakings (PSUs).

It has been learnt that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was keen to take the call on this long-pending issue and merge some of the PSUs in the red but could not do so owing to resistance from employees.

The issue assumes significance in view of the poor fiscal health of the state. The debt burden has touched Rs 90,000 crore.

Despite the best efforts of successive state governments, 13 of the 23 boards and corporations continue to be in the red. These government institutions having about 30,000 employees have cumulative losses of Rs 5,134.46 crore till March 31, 2023.

The efforts to merge some of these sick units have not been successful primarily due to resistance from the employees though they will be absorbed in other PSUs or government departments.

The government had decided to merge Agro Industries Corporation with the HPMC but was yet to implement the decision.

These 23 PSUs had suffered Rs 254.36 crore total losses between March 2022 and March 23. The cumulative losses were Rs 534.03 crore in March 2022 and Rs 589.53 crore in March 2021.

A majority of these PSUs remain a major drain on the state exchequer mainly due to a huge contingent of 32,028 employees.

The financial health of most of these PSUs remains grim. The 23 PSUs have a total of 32,028 employees, with maximum 15,123 workers in HP State Electricity Board Ltd, followed by 11,085 in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), 1,760 in the HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and 1,078 in the HP Forest Corporation.

The HRTC has suffered the highest losses of Rs 1,966.13 crore, followed by the HPSEB (Rs 1,823.97 crore), HP Power Corporation (Rs 689.23 crore), HP Transmission Corporation (Rs 372.59 crore), HP Financial Corporation (Rs 184.83 crore), HPTDC (Rs 126.62 crore) and the HP Forest Corporation (Rs 98.21 crore). It remains to be seen whether Sukhu will succeed in merging some of these loss-making PSUs in the interest of the state.

Medical services in Tanda medical college remained disrupted as the Residents Doctors Association (RDA) continued its strike today. Senior Residents, interns and resident doctors continued their strike and also held a dharna in the Tanda medical college complex.

After meeting CM Sukhvinder Sukhu yesterday, the Tanda Medical College Teachers Association had called off their strike. The teachers of Tanda medical college returned to their duties today but the RDA decided to continue their strike.

The members of RDA said that they were continuing their strike as per the directions of Federation of Resident Doctors Association, their national level body. “We had proceeded on strike as per the direction of Federation of Resident Doctors Association and the IMA. Both the bodies have not issued any direction regarding withdrawal of the strike. We will continue our strike till national level bodies give any direction,” the striking RDA members at Tanda said.

The RDA members said that their main demand for protection to doctors on duty in government hospitals has not been met. “We had also demanded from the state government that the under the 2007 Act, assault on doctors on duty should be made a non-bailable offence.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu felicitated meritorious students of Government Senior Secondary School, Kothi Deora Ghatti in Solan, today. He said that the government was taking concrete steps to address the declining enrolment in government schools.

Sukhu, while addressing the gathering, made several announcements for the improvement of educational facilities in the region. He said that commerce classes would be started in Government Senior Secondary School, Kothi Deora Ghatti, and kabaddi players of the school would be provided sports kits.

He added that the state government would allocate funds for the under-construction educational institutions where 60 per cent building work had been completed with a target to finish these projects within two years.

Sukhu emphasised the importance of quality education and the health of children. “In one-of-a-kind initiative, the government has sent 200 teachers to Singapore on an exposure tour. The government has plans to extend this programme to include students next year,” he said.

He also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote sports activities by increasing the diet money of sports persons. “The allowance has been raised from Rs 240 to Rs 400 for state-level competitions, Rs 300 for district-level and Rs 240 for block-level events. For athletes competing outside the state, the diet money has been increased to Rs 500,” he added.

Sukhu said that the state government had also enhanced travel facilities for players attending sports events in other states. He announced that tournaments for the under-14 age group would now be organised at both district and state levels.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had slipped to the 18th position in the national quality education ranking. “To address the issue, the government has been working tirelessly over the past 20 months to implement extensive reforms in the education system. One of the key initiatives is the phased introduction of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools equipped with smart classrooms, audio-visual teaching aids and sports facilities in rural areas of all Assembly constituencies. Schools have also been given freedom to select smart uniforms, as per their preferences,” he added.

Sukhu said that 99 primary schools with zero student enrolment had been closed, while those with less than five students were being merged. Furthermore, the government was introducing futuristic courses in educational institutions to ensure students receive quality education, he Added. He expressed confidence that these steps would yield positive results in the long run. Earlier, Chairman of Jogindra Cooperative Bank, Mukesh Sharma, welcomed the Chief Minister upon his arrival in Solan.