Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated a Rs 75 lakh NCC hangar at Bhuntar Airport in Kullu. This new facility aims to significantly enhance aviation training infrastructure for NCC cadets, offering practical knowledge, simulator training, and flying skill development. It is the first dedicated facility of its kind in Kullu since Air NCC's inception in Himachal Pradesh in 1972, designed to inspire youth towards careers in aviation and the Indian Air Force.
Himachal Pradesh honoured 419 outstanding sportspersons with the Him Ratna 2026 Awards, distributing Rs. 17.85 crore in prize money. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented cheques to athletes excelling in national and international events, including Asian Games medalists and Indian women's kabaddi team members. The state government also announced increased award money, incentives for coaches, and a new 'Khelo Himachal Campaign' to combat drug abuse and promote sports.
In the throes of a financial crisis, the state's ruling Congress government has little to be triumphant about as Assembly elections approach next year, points out Aditi Phadnis.
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to implement stringent measures, including mandatory drug testing for government jobs and 'bulldozer action' against drug smugglers, to combat the growing menace of 'chitta' (adulterated heroin) in the state.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured the Vidhan Sabha that discrepancies in electricity bills following smart meter installations will be addressed. The government also plans to amend regulations to curb excessive fees charged by private schools.
A pension fraud has been uncovered in Himachal Pradesh, where over 40 individuals were falsely declared as 'elderly' in official records to receive old-age pensions.
Sanjay Gupta, a 1988-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh amidst allegations of corruption, sparking controversy and criticism from opposition parties.
The Himachal Pradesh Police have successfully shifted their Directorate of Communication & Technical Services office from Shimla to Hamirpur to decongest the capital city and improve operational efficiency.
The campaign for elections to 51 urban local bodies, including four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, concluded on Friday, with key issues including infrastructure, tourism, and fuel prices taking centre stage.
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a significant increase in cyber fraud cases, with hundreds of cases registered and substantial financial losses reported. The state government is taking measures to combat this rise, including establishing cyber help desks and providing specialised training to officers.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accuses the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of corruption and political patronage, citing illegal tree felling and financial irregularities.
A suspect has been arrested after the partially burnt body of a woman was discovered in a forest near a police camp in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour district.
The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a fresh inquiry into the Chester Hill land case in Solan, following opposition allegations of a 'benami' land deal and violations of land laws. This decision comes after the withdrawal of a previous order that had questioned the initial inquiry's legality.
A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed over 40,000 cases of illicit mining activities in Himachal Pradesh between 2018-19 and 2022-23, highlighting systemic failures in planning, monitoring, and revenue collection.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reports over 1,500 missing persons cases in Himachal Pradesh over the past three years, with Solan district reporting the highest number of cases. The government also addresses healthcare scheme liabilities and illegal tree felling.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reports 66 drug overdose deaths in the state over three years, along with details of NDPS Act cases, government prevention efforts, and rehabilitation initiatives.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reports 66 drug overdose deaths in Himachal Pradesh over three years, with 6,246 cases registered under the NDPS Act. The state government is implementing measures to combat drug abuse, including confiscating assets, launching awareness campaigns, and establishing rehabilitation centres.
Arjuna Awardee and Indian kabaddi team member Ritu Negi was controversially dropped from Himachal Pradesh's cash award list for Asian Games gold medallists, reportedly due to her marriage in Haryana.
The 13th MTB Himalaya Shimla mountain bike race commenced on Friday, drawing over 80 participants from 20 cities for a three-day event. Riders will tackle 130 km and 3,800m of climbing, predominantly off-road, with gravel bikes allowed for the first time. Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary KK Pant underscored the government's support for cycling development.
Arun Singh Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar are poised for unopposed re-election to the IPL Governing Council at the upcoming BCCI Annual General Meeting on September 18. The election process, including nomination dates and candidate scrutiny, has been outlined by the BCCI Electoral Officer.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the State Cooperative Bank on successfully migrating its core banking system to the 'Finacle 10.2.25' platform. This upgrade aims to provide faster, more transparent, and secure financial services, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency across its 262 branches.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured strict action in the 2022 police recruitment paper leak case, following a CBI recommendation for penalties against police officers.
A faction of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), claiming support from 27 state units, met Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse to seek intervention regarding alleged governance lapses by president Ajay Singh. The group submitted a memorandum to the Sports Ministry, IOA, and World Boxing president, detailing accusations of power concentration, sidelining elected members, and lack of grassroots development. This comes after a planned no-confidence motion was put on hold by the Punjab and Haryana High Court until November 13. The BFI later issued a statement claiming unity among its state units.
Police in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, have booked a man from Himachal Pradesh for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl. The girl went missing on September 16 after going to school and returned on September 24, subsequently revealing the ordeal to her mother. The accused reportedly threatened her, and an investigation is underway.
Monsoon hit the state on June 20 and has since then cost it Rs 5,000 crore in damages.
A police constable in Himachal Pradesh was allegedly assaulted in a road rage incident in Paonta, Sirmaur district. The accused, identified as Farman from Saharanpur, has been arrested, and a case registered under the BNS. The incident has sparked political criticism regarding the state's law and order situation.
A stone-pelting incident erupted in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, on Friday, when a dispute over the installation of a welcome gate escalated into mob violence. Police personnel and a revenue official's vehicle were attacked, resulting in injuries to officers and damage to property. Authorities have registered a case and deployed additional forces to maintain peace while an investigation is underway to identify those involved.
The southwest monsoon has advanced across northern Indian states, leading to widespread rainfall, waterlogging, road blockages, and rain-related deaths, particularly in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Centre is monitoring the situation, especially concerning potential drought conditions in some areas due to the El Nino effect.
The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a fresh probe into alleged irregularities in the Chester Hills housing project following pressure from the BJP, who claim the government initially tried to suppress the case.
The BJP launched an all-out and aggressive personalised campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, but voters went by local rather than national issues.
The BJP has secured victories in the Mandi, Dharamshala, and Solan municipal corporation elections in Himachal Pradesh, dealing a blow to the Congress party, which managed to retain control only in Palampur.
The four-day Paragliding Accuracy Pre-World Cup has commenced at Solang Nala in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, featuring 42 pilots from multiple countries. The event, inaugurated by Minister Rajesh Dharmani, aims to promote adventure sports and tourism in the region, with strict safety standards in place.
A 15-year-old boy in Himachal Pradesh allegedly committed suicide after failing to clear a paper in his Class 10 board examinations. The boy was found hanging at his residence after the results were declared.
Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader announced the busting of a major interstate counterfeit drug racket, leading to an arrest and an ongoing investigation into the suspected supply of fake medicines to hospitals. The racket involved procuring cheap drugs, refilling them, and relabelling them as premium brands, with seizures worth Rs 5 crore. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the widespread network.
The successful hosting of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the BJP, offering a timely opportunity to strengthen its narrative against the opposition ahead of crucial assembly elections next year. BJP sources highlight the BRICS grouping's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the consensus declaration as major diplomatic victories for the Modi government, countering criticisms of its foreign policy. The party plans to leverage these outcomes during its month-long Seva Sankalp campaign to connect with various sections of society.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a strong counterattack against the INDIA bloc's 'vote chori' allegations, challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a special Parliament session debate on EVMs and infiltrators. Shah dismissed the INDIA bloc's rally as a "save infiltrator" event, questioning Congress's wins if EVMs are faulty and asserting the BJP's commitment to removing all infiltrators from electoral rolls.
Congress leaders have accused the Haryana Police of illegally detaining 18 municipal councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara in Panchkula, allegedly to prevent them from voting in a crucial municipal council chairperson election. While police deny the claims, Congress has staged protests, calling the incident a "murder of democracy" and demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged political interference.
An inquiry has been ordered against a government school teacher in Cheog village, Shimla, following allegations of slapping a 2.5-year-old boy. The inquiry was prompted by a written complaint from the child's father.
Its economy dependent on tourist arrivals, the hill state is looking at a summer of discontent. Not that the rest of the year promises to be any different. Ashwani Sharma reports from Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh DGP Ashok Tiwari has recommended a detailed examination and action against the SDM of Solan for alleged misuse of official position, conflict of interest, and possible involvement in benami transactions related to land deals.