Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu yesterday said that the state government would soon include one chapter on raising awareness about drug abuse in the school curriculum.

Presiding over a function organised on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Chief Minister warned that government would take stern action against employees involved in drug trafficking. He urged every section of the society to be a part and join the drive against drug abuse to make Himachal Pradesh a drug-free state.

Sukhu said the state government was going to act tough against the government employees involved in drug trafficking. “I want to give a clear message to the people of the state that there is no place for drugs in Devbhoomi.

The youth should join the fight against drugs, help themselves and others as well to come out of this evil,” he stressed.

The CM said the state government remains committed in its relentless efforts to crack down on drug networks and take stern action against the offenders.

“The state government has focused on providing employment opportunities and encouraging skill development for those recovering from addiction, thereby integrating them back into mainstream society,” he said.

He said the state government has approved the establishment of a fully equipped 100 bed de-addiction centre in Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district with an outlay of Rs 5.34 crore and construction work of this project would start this year.

He said that the government was working to establish a district level de-addiction centre in each district.

The Chief Minister said the state government approved the implementation of PIT-NDPS Act soon after assuming power which the previous BJP Government could not implement during its five-year long tenure.

“The vision of a prosperous country can only be realised by channelising the energy of the youth in right direction. The government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the use and trafficking of drugs,” he stated.

The Chief Minister also administered the anti-drug pledge and honoured various organisations and individuals on the occasion for their outstanding contributions in checking drug abuse in the state.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil emphasised the need for a large-scale movement akin to the freedom struggle and every individual must actively participate to uproot this evil.

Himachal has jumped 16 spots to finish overall fifth in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) conducted by the Union Ministry of Education in December last year.

The state had finished a lowly 21st in the last National Achievement Survey conducted in 2021.

“It’s a huge achievement for the state, and the vindication of the measures we have taken to raise the level of education in the state,” said Education Minister Rohit Thakur.

In the NAS exam, students of three classes – Class III, Class VI and Class IX – were tested. The Grade III students have been ranked second in the country, while the students of Class VI and Class IX have secured the fourth rank in the survey. Overall, the state has been ranked fifth.

Samagra Shiksha Project Director Rajesh Sharma attributed the success to several initiatives taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Education Minister Rohit Thakur and Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar.

“The result is a direct outcome of the consistent and reform-driven policies of the state government. The achievement reinforces the state’s growing status as a model for quality education in the country,” said Sharma.

Over the last two-and-a-half years, the government took several initiatives to bring about a qualitative change in education.

It includes taking tough decisions like closing down or merging nearly 1,800 schools, rationalisation of teachers, fast tracking the recruitment process for vacant posts, etc.

The other measures taken to raise the standard of education include international exposure visits for teachers and students.

“We had to take several tough decisions to ensure our children get the best possible education. I am glad that our efforts have paid off so handsomely.

The result will encourage everyone to improve further,” said the Education Minister.

The Dalai Lama would visit Ladakh in July this year, following his 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamsala. This would be his first visit to Ladakh in two years. He is expected to stay there for 45 days.

The visit was officially confirmed in a letter issued by the Dalai Lama’s office to Tsering Dorje, Chairman of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).

According to the letter dated June 21, the Dalai Lama would go to Leh on July 12.

In Ladakh, the Nobel Peace Laureate, would rest for a few days to acclimatise to the region’s high altitude. His itinerary includes several public and private engagements in Leh and surrounding areas.

A tentative visit to Zanskar, a remote and spiritually significant region known for its ancient monasteries and preserved Buddhist heritage, is also on the schedule.

However, specific dates for the Zanskar tour have yet to be finalised by his office.

The LBA has issued a public statement expressing “great joy” on his upcoming visit, noting the enormous spiritual and cultural importance of the Dalai Lama’s presence in the Himalayan region.

The upcoming visit follows the cancellation of a planned visit in July 2024 due to the Dalai Lama’s knee surgery in the United States.

In the months following the cancellation, various religious and community leaders in Ladakh actively engaged with the Dalai Lama’s office to renew the invitation.

In October 2024, a high-level delegation comprising Thiksey Rinpoche, Tsering Dorje (LBA), Tsering Angdus of the Ladakh Gonpa Association, and Jigmet Rabtan of the Ladakh Youth Association met with the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala.

The meeting helped revive the proposal for a 2025 visit.

His teachings during the visit would focus on Buddhist philosophy, universal compassion, and interfaith harmony, values that he has consistently championed across the globe.

Before embarking on his journey to Ladakh, the Dalai Lama would participate in a series of 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamsala.

The festivities would begin on June 30 with a public program and long-life offering ceremony at the Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj.

The event would be organised by members of the Amdo Province (Dhomey Cholkha). The Dalai Lama originally hails from this province.

On July 5, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) would offer a long-life ceremony on behalf of all Tibetans in exile.

The official birthday celebrations will take place the next day, on July 6, with global well-wishers expected to join virtually and in person.

Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana has hailed the Central Government’s approval of development projects worth nearly Rs 108 crore for the region, calling it a “moment of pride” for the people of the tribal district.

She said the long-pending Rs 23-crore sewerage scheme for Keylong and the High-Altitude Sports Centre in Kaza had finally received green light from the Centre.

“It is a matter of great pride that these important projects have been approved. I thank the Central and state governments and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for this initiative,” Rana said.

She also extended special gratitude to Ram Singh, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, for his role in facilitating the approval of these projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

As per the official itinerary, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will arrive in Kaza on June 27 for a two-day visit. On June 28, he will inaugurate three landmark sports projects: a High-Altitude Sports Training Centre, an Ice Hockey Rink with Pavilion and a Sports Training Facility with a cricket ground.

On June 29, he will travel to Keylong to lay the foundation stone for the long-awaited sewerage scheme. The plan had been pending for over two decades.

Highlighting the growing sports culture in the region, MLA Rana said, “Ninety per cent of the Himachal team that won bronze at the National Ice Hockey Championship in Dehradun were from Spiti.

This new infrastructure is a game-changer that will prepare our youth for national and international platforms.”

Former MLA Ravi Thakur also expressed appreciation to the Central Government for sanctioning crucial development funds for the district.

Executive ADC and SDM Kaza, Shikha, said the new sports infrastructure would be a lasting asset. “This stadium will be a boon, not just for our youth, but for the future of sports in Spiti,” she said.

With focus on both infrastructure and youth development, the Rs 108-crore boost is expected to significantly improve the quality of life in one of Himachal Pradesh’s most remote and high-potential districts.

The much-needed construction of a two-km tunnel between Mandi and Pandoh on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway remains pending as the authorities await a green signal from the higher offices in Delhi.

The project, which has become critical following the devastating 2023 flashfloods, is being seen as a permanent solution to the persistent landslide risks and highway disruptions plaguing the region.

The 18-km stretch between Mandi and Pandoh — part of the vital national highway connecting Kiratpur to Manali — suffered extensive damage during 2023 rainy season.

Prolonged blockades and traffic disruptions brought attention to the geographical vulnerabilities of the region, which have been worsened by deep hill-cutting construction methods.

In response to the challenging terrain and frequent landslides, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposed constructing a single-tube, double-lane tunnel within a stretch of 4-7 miles near Mandi.

A detailed survey was conducted, and a detailed project report (DPR) was submitted to the Central authorities for approval.

Speaking on the matter, Varun Chari, project director of the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane project, said: “We have already submitted the DPR to the higher authorities in Delhi, but the final approval is still awaited.

Once we receive the go-ahead, the construction of the tunnel will commence without any delay.”

The tunnel is expected to significantly enhance commuter safety by mitigating landslide risks in this particularly hazardous stretch, especially during the monsoon season, when deep hill cuttings become unstable and pose life-threatening hazards.

Landslides remain a recurring issue during rainy season in this section, frequently cutting off access to one of the most crucial tourist and transport corridors in Himachal Pradesh.

The proposed tunnel is seen as a long-term solution not only for safer travel but also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity to Manali, Lahaul-Spiti and beyond.

Locals and stakeholders have expressed hope that the Central Government will act swiftly on the approval, considering the strategic and economic significance of the Kiratpur-Manali highway.

The HP High Court yesterday imposed a cost of Rs 5 lakh on the state government over the non-appointment of Chairperson and members of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HPRERA).

While passing this order, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma further observed “that the sequence of events would go on to show that the state government is dragging its feet for not notifying the appointment of Chairperson and members though recommendation had been sent to them by the Registrar General of the High Court on March 13.”

The court further directed the state government to issue necessary notifications regarding the appointments by June 25, failing which the Chief Secretary should be present on the next date. The court listed the matter for further hearing on June 25.

The court has also taken note of relocating the RERA office from Shimla to Dharamsala and observed: “We are also of the prima facie opinion that the whole purpose of dragging of the appointments and shifting the HQ of RERA is with a mala fide purpose and at this stage, we do not wish to say anything more.”

However, during the course of hearing, it was informed by the state that vide notification issued on June 19, only one member has been appointed namely Vidur Mehta.

The affidavit, dated June 19 filed today, shows that the process of appointment of other members and Chairperson is currently under consideration.

The court passed this order on a petition filed by one Atul Sharma seeking quashing of extension given to Prabodh Saxena as Chief Secretary on the ground that it was given in clear violation of the Central Services Rules and guidelines of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

It was further contended that the revised guidelines regarding grant of vigilance clearance provide that vigilance clearance is to be denied if the chargesheet has been filed in court by the investigating agency in a criminal case and the case is pending, and the sanction for prosecution has been granted by the competent authority in a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) or any other criminal matter and the case is pending in the trial court.

Saxena has also applied for the post of Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

As, till date, the state has not filed reply to the petition, the court made it clear in its order that in case, replies are not filed by respondents by June 25, orders on interim directions would also be considered on the said date regarding the extension of Prabodh Saxena as Chief Secretary.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to continue across the state till June 27, as the state’s Meteorological Department has issued both orange and yellow alerts.

While the orange weather warning has been issued for June 22, 23, 25 and 26, indicating heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of the state, a yellow weather warning has also been issued for June 24 and 27, predicting heavy rain at isolated places.

According to the State’s Meteorological Department, light to moderate rainfall is very likely to persist at many locations across the state from June 22 to 27, with a few spells of heavy rain at isolated places on June 22, 24, and 27, and one or two spells of very heavy rainfall at isolated places on June 23, 25 and 26.

While minimum temperatures across the state are expected to remain normal over the next four to five days, maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 3°C to 4°C till June 23, followed by a fall of 3°C to 4°C on June 25 and 26.

Meanwhile, the state witnessed heavy rain at isolated places and light to moderate rain at many locations during the past 24 hours. Visibility in the state capital was also affected due to dense fog, causing disruption in the smooth movement of vehicular traffic.

Minimum temperatures across the state ranged from 12°C to 26°C, with no significant change observed. However, maximum temperatures were down by 3°C to 4°C and remained in the range of 19°C to 34°C during the past 24 hours.

Shimla, the state capital, recorded a maximum temperature of 22°C, while prominent tourist destinations Dharamsala, Manali, Dalhousie and Kasauli recorded 28°C, 26°C, 22.5°C and 23.4°C, respectively.

The maximum temperature in Solan was 29.5°C, Mandi 27.8°C, Kangra 29.1°C, Chamba 28.6°C, Bilaspur 31.5°C, Kalpa 27.7°C, Kufri 19°C, Nahan 31.3°C, Bhuntar 32°C, Sundernagar 27.9°C, Narkanda 17.9°C and Reckong Peo 31.8°C. Keylong recorded 26.4°C.

With a maximum temperature of 34°C, Una was the hottest place in the state, while Kukumseri village in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest, recording a minimum temperature of 11.8°C.

Water level in the Beas river has risen significantly following continuous heavy rainfall in the Kullu and Mandi districts over the past 24 hours.

The sudden surge in water volume has prompted the local administration to issue a safety advisory, urging residents and tourists to stay away from riverbanks and low-lying areas.

According to officials, persistent rains in the upper reaches of Kullu and Mandi have led to increased inflow in the Beas and its tributaries. The situation is being closely monitored by the district disaster management authorities.

According to Deputy Commissioner Mandi Apoorv Devgan, “Due to rainfall and rise in river levels, people are strictly advised not to venture near riverbanks for their own safety.

We have deployed teams to monitor the situation and announcements are being made in vulnerable areas to alert the public.”

Tourists visiting the region have also been advised to exercise caution. Many visitors, unaware of the local weather patterns, often camp or gather near the river for recreational activities.

The administration has appealed to hotels and travel agencies to inform their guests about the current risk and follow all safety protocols.

Authorities have also put warning signboards along key stretches of the river and directed police and home guard personnel to patrol riverbank areas to prevent any mishaps.

Popular blood pressure lowering drug, Telmisartan tablets, and Rabeprazole Sodium capsule, used for gastroesophageal reflux disease, figured among 47 drug samples that were declared substandard by the state and Central drug regulatory authorities in the drug alert issued on Friday.

They figure in the list of 186 drug samples that have been declared substandard by the Central Drugs Standard Organisation (CDSCO) across the nation. Several Himachal-based firms have multiple batch failures of the same drug, thus reflecting consistent fall in the quality of the drugs.

A majority of such erring firms have been figuring in the alert month after month and are based at industrial clusters of Baddi, Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib and Solan.

Multiple batches of Ofloxacin tablets, and Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate, both used for treating bacterial infection figure in the list of drugs declared not of standard quality.

Others comprise vitamin supplements, Aceclofenac and Paracetamol tablets, folic acid syrup, Cefixime powder, Rumiheal-D, Itraconazole Ofloxacin, Ornidazole & Clobetasol Propionate cream, etc.,

As part of the continuous regulatory surveillance, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices samples are picked from sales and distribution point, analysed and list of ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSQ) drugs are displayed on the CDSCO portal on a monthly basis to make stakeholders aware about the NSQ batches in the market.

Injections samples and cough syrups have also been found failing in quality parameters for issues such as lack of assay content, mislabelling, inappropriate pH, failing disintegration tests, etc., reflecting flaws in manufacturing.

The southwest monsoon entered several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Friday.

“The monsoon has covered several parts of the state, including Shimla and Manali,” said a senior official of the weather department here.

The monsoon has entered the state a few days earlier than the normal date of arrival, which is June 25.

The official said several parts of the state will receive light to moderate rain over the next five to seven days.

The department has already issued an orange alert for June 22-23 and June 25-26 for several districts.

In a welcome move for both local residents and tourists, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is all set to resume its bus service on the Kullu-Kaza route within a day or two.

A bus trial was conducted on this route today by the HRTC authorities at Keylong and the final report is awaited from its staff, whether road is fit for the bus service or not.

The bus service was suspended in October last year due to heavy snowfall at the Kunzum Pass, which serves as a critical gateway to the Spiti Valley from the Lahaul and Manali side.

Kunzum Pass, located at an altitude of over 14931 ft, becomes impassable during harsh winter months, cutting off the Spiti region from the rest of the state for several months.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to clear snow and restore the road for public use.

This seasonal reopening, around May or June, is eagerly awaited by the people of Spiti as it reconnects them to key towns like Manali and Kullu and also plays a pivotal role in reviving tourism in the region.

The resumption of this 224-kilometer-long route is expected to greatly benefit tourists, especially nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts who flock to the Spiti Valley for its beauty and adventure opportunities.

According to HRTC officials, the timing of bus service from Kullu yo Kaza and Kaza to Kullu will be shared soon as soon as it get final report of bus trial from its staff.

Regional Manager of HRTC, Keylong Depot Ayush Upadhyay, stated, “We are unable to connect to our bus driver and inspector to get final report of bus trial. It is expected that it would be successful.”

The restoration of this important bus route will make to and fro Spiti journey convenient and affordable for both tourists and locals. This will also provide a much-needed boost to the tourism industry in the valley

Tourism stakeholders in the Spiti region have expressed relief and optimism as they expect an improved visitor footfall.

The resumption of bus service will not only promises better connectivity but will be a significant step towards revitalising the local economy after months of isolation.

Himachal Pradesh could witness landslides and waterlogging in several areas as the state is very likely to receive some heavy spells of rain from June 20 onwards.

As per the State’s Meteorological Department, light to moderate rain is very likely to occur at few places over the state till June 23 with one or two spells of heavy rain at isolated places on June 20 and one or two spells of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places on June 22 and 23.

The department has also issued orange and yellow weather warnings for various districts for June 20 to 22 resulting in heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of Shimla, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts.

Also, no large change in minimum temperatures will be recorded during the next two days.

Light to moderate rainfall occurred in many parts of the state during the last 24 hours. Ghagas was the wettest with 55.4 mm rains, followed by Sundernagar 50.2 mm, Murari devi 39.2 mm, Bhuntar 31 mm, Gohar 25 mm, Baggi 24.1 mm, Slapper 20.9 mm, Banjar and Mandi 21 mm each and Sarahan and Rohru 20 mm each.

Maximum temperatures across the state were in the range of 13°C to 34°C while minimum temperatures were in the range of 10°C to 27°C.

Shimla, the state’s capital recorded 24.4°C maximum temperature while prominent tourist destinations Dharamsala, Manali and Dalhousie recorded 27°C, 25.7°C and 22.1°C, respectively.

Maximum temperature in Solan was 28°C, Mandi 31.8°C, Kangra 35°C, Chamba 32.9 °C, Bilaspur 34.3°C, Kalpa 19.1°C, Kufri 19.7°C, Nahan 29°C, Bhuntar 31°C, Sundernagar 32.5°C, Narkanda 16.8°C and Reckong Peo 23.2°C.

With 37.8°C maximum temperature, Una was the hottest place in the state while Keylong, headquarters of tribal district Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest as it recorded 9.8°C minimum temperature.

A high-level committee headed by union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday approved central assistance worth Rs 2,006.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh, for their recovery & reconstruction plan in the aftermath of the flood, landslides, cloudburst incident of 2023.

Out of this, Rs 1,504.80 crores will be the central share from recovery and reconstruction funding window under the National Disaster Response Fund.

Earlier, on December 12, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs had approved additional financial assistance of Rs 633.73 crore from the NDRF for Himachal Pradesh due to this disaster.

The committee consisting of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Suman Bery considered the proposal for financial assistance to the state from the recovery and reconstruction funding window under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

The Indian Army has announced the schedule for the Agniveer recruitment entrance exam. According to Colonel DS Samant, Director of the Army Recruiting Office in Mandi, the online Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for Agniveer posts will be conducted from June 30 to July 10.

All eligible candidates are advised to report at their designated exam centres well before the scheduled time as mentioned on their admit cards, he added.

Colonel Samant emphasised that carrying a high-quality printed admit card is mandatory for entry to the examination centre.

The exact name, location and reporting time of the exam centre will be clearly stated on each candidate’s admit card.

Colonel Pushwinder Kaur, Director Recruiting, Army Recruiting Office, Shimla, said the examination centres will be set up at HP College Education (Shimla), Green Hills Engineering College (Solan), Maharaja Agrasen University (Baddi) for the candidates of four districts of Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan and Kinnaur.

How to download the admit card

Candidates can download their admit cards by visiting the official Indian Army website at www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

1. Log in using your registered User ID and password.

2. Click on the “Download CEE Admit Card” option located on the left side of the screen.

3. Enter your JIA Roll Number and Date of Birth in the new window that opens.

4. Once the details are submitted, the admit card will be available for download.

The JIA roll number can be found on the payment receipt issued during the application process. In case the receipt is lost, candidates can retrieve it from the “History of Application” section on the website.

Documents required on exam day

Colonel Samant has also instructed all candidates to bring their original documents along with photocopies on the day of the examination. These documents are crucial for the verification process and ensure a smooth and transparent recruitment procedure.

The Indian Army has reiterated that strict adherence to the instructions provided in the admit card and recruitment guidelines is essential. Candidates are encouraged to check the official website regularly for any updates or further instructions.

This recruitment is a part of the Agnipath scheme initiated by the Government of India to induct youth into the armed forces for a four-year service period, contributing to national defense and gaining valuable experience.