In a significant administrative overhaul, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that Ladakh will see the creation of five new districts. This decision aims to improve governance and bring government services closer to the people. The new districts—Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang—will be added to Ladakh’s current two districts, Leh and Kargil, making a total of seven. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed and prosperous Ladakh. He emphasized that the new districts would enhance the delivery of government benefits and services. Prime Minister Modi supported the move, highlighting that it would lead to better governance and greater opportunities for the region's residents. Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal also endorsed the decision, noting its potential to spur overall development in Ladakh. The creation of these new districts marks a pivotal step towards more effective administration and regional growth in Ladakh. By decentralizing governance, the Modi government aims to ensure that every corner of the Union Territory receives the attention and resources needed for progress.

In a tragic road accident in Joginder Nagar, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, an out of control car collided with a motorcycle where two people were standing by the roadside. The car then plunged into a 50-foot deep gorge, leaving five individuals seriously injured. The incident occurred near Dhelu Bend in Joginder Nagar, where Sandeep and Amit Kumar from Simt were standing with their motorcycle. During this time, a car came out of control, hitting the motorcycle riders forcefully. After the collision, the car lost its balance and fell into a 50-foot deep gorge. The motorcycle riders, Sandeep and Amit Kumar, along with the car occupants Gaurav, Anshul, and Avinash, sustained severe injuries. People present at the scene immediately took the injured to the Civil Hospital in Joginder Nagar, where they were given first aid before being referred to Tanda Medical College. The police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident. All the injured are receiving treatment, and further action is being taken by the police.

The state government has prepared a comprehensive plan to develop two Gram Panchayats in each district of the state as Green Panchayats on a pilot basis, and to achieve this, the government mulls setting up solar power projects of 500 kilowatts to one-megawatt capacity in each of these Panchayats. A provision of Rs. 50 crore has been made for setting up these projects under the Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme. Himurja, a state government undertaking, has initiated the process of setting up solar projects by identifying the Gram Panchayats. Apart from this, the Government has set a target to develop the state as a 'Green Energy State' by 31st March 2026. Effective steps are being taken for ensuring the participation of citizens of the state besides the Panchayati Raj institutions, which will play a pivotal role in achieving the target. For setting up one solar project of 500 KW, an expenditure of Rs. 2.10 crore would be incurred. After becoming functional, 2250 units of power will be generated per day thereby generating an income of around Rs. 25 lakh annually from each project. The participation of Gram Panchayats will also ensure employment opportunities for the local youth and new avenues of income generation for the Gram Panchayats. Special emphasis has been laid on the role of youth in achieving the objective of making Himachal a Green Energy State. The youth of the state will be given a 40 percent subsidy for setting up solar power projects ranging from 500 KW to 2 MW on their own land or land taken on lease. The power generated from these projects will be procured by the State Electricity Board. The government is also making efforts to develop public transport with the help of electric vehicles to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. In order to encourage the participation of youth in this direction, it has been decided to provide a subsidy of Rs. 50 percent with a maximum limit of Rs. 50 lakh for the purchase of e-buses and e-trucks thus ensuring employment for the youth. Further, the government has made a provision to provide a subsidy at a rate of 50 percent for setting up e-charging stations for electric vehicles and a comprehensive policy for developing EV-charging stations was on the anvil. The initiative of Green energy will also help save the country's resources and to address the impacts of climate change along with empowering the economy of the State.  

  •  CM attends dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu   Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended a dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu during the G-20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on Saturday. At the event, the Chief Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed various issues related to the state's interests. CM Sukhu conveyed the gravity of the damages caused by the natural disaster during the monsoon and appealed to the Prime Minister to declare it a ‘National Disaster’. The Chief Minister highlighted that over 400 people have lost their lives due to the calamity and over 13 thousand houses were damaged, leaving thousands of families homeless. He added that as a result of the disaster, the state has suffered cumulative losses exceeding Rs. 12,000 crore. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that Himachal requires substantial assistance from the Union government to rebuild and chart a path toward recovery. He further urged the Prime Minister to release a special relief package to Himachal Pradesh, drawing a parallel to the support provided during the Bhuj and Kedarnath tragedies.    The Prime Minister listened intently to the Chief Minister's concerns and assured that the demands would be considered sympathetically. Dignitaries including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Presidents and Prime Ministers from other countries, representatives of 19 invited countries, dignitaries from various international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Health Organization, Union cabinet ministers and chief ministers of different states attended the dinner.    

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL) from his home assembly segment Nadaun in district Hamirpur. Aimed for the bright future of specially-abled children, this scheme intends to take special care of such children in around 400 schools across Hamirpur, Solan and Shimla districts.  Simultaneously, the Chief Minister also launched 'Abhyas Himachal' and 'Shikshak Sahayata' chatbots, accessible via the Swift Chat app, offering ease similar to WhatsApp and powered by conversational Artificial Intelligence. These chatbots will enable students to revise lessons at their convenience, from any location from their mobile phones. This facility features a quiz-based format and provides educational videos that can be utilized by both students and teachers to enhance the learning and teaching experience in the classroom as well. The Chief Minister also launched "Sampark Science TV Program," designed to transform ordinary TVs into Smart TVs. This innovation aims to enhance children's learning experiences, especially in subjects like mathematics and English. The device comes preloaded with educational materials, eliminating the need for an internet connection.  On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Sabal Yojana was aimed to improve the lives of specially-abled children in the state. The initiative focuses on providing essential facilities and opportunities for them. He said that the state government has made a provision of two per cent reservation in government jobs for specially-abled individuals and the recruitment process for this, was set to commence on a mission mode shortly. He also announced to enhance the education stipend provided to specially-abled children to Rs. 1000. The Chief Minister announced to set up 'Rajya Chayan Aayog' in place of the Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur within the next two months to ensure fairness in the selection criteria of candidates.  He said that we were committed to bringing transparency and ensuring a merit-based selection process. During the tenure of the previous BJP government, the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission had become the hub of corruption selling question papers. Our government, taking prompt action, nabbed the culprits and put them behind bars said he. He said that 6000 teachers will be recruited through this new commission soon. Along with this, 3000 Van Mitra will be recruited in the Forest Department and 1200 personnel in the police, who will work as a special task force to combat drug trafficking. The Chief Minister said that the state government was going to conduct more than 10 thousand recruitments this year. Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced Rs. 5 crore for the construction of a DIET Girls Hostel at Gauna in Nadaun and a modern stadium with provisions for sports like shooting, boxing, and swimming. He reiterated that healthcare services across the state were being strengthened. Six specialist doctors in each of the 32 assembly segments will be deployed soon. Despite facing an economic crisis as inherited from the previous government, the present state government is resolute in helping those affected by disasters. He said that recent monsoon devastation resulted in losses exceeding Rs. 12,000 crores, CM criticized the opposition for the state's fiscal health condition and said that despite massive damage during the monsoon, incurring losses of more than 12 thousand crore, the state BJP leaders have failed to take up the issue of financial assistance from its central leadership. There was a huge loss to both public and private property due to floods, landslides and cloudbursts including loss of human lives and livestock but despite the present government's plea to declare the tragedy, as a National calamity, the central government has given a deaf ear to it. The state government is determined to rebuild every damaged house with its own resources, said he.  Despite the financial crunch, the state government would fulfil all its guarantees in the coming five years, he said. The guarantee of restoration of the old pension has already been fulfilled and other guarantees will also fulfilled as promised. The Chief Minister also distributed special equipment to over 120 children with special abilities during the event jointly organized by Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Sampark Foundation.  He also planted a sapling on the occasion.  While speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Rohit Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh has been a pioneer in the field of education and the government has committed to deliver quality and employable education. The Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools were set to revolutionize education in the state in the times to come. The YS Parmar Scholarship Scheme has been launched to offer education loans at a nominal interest rate of one percent, up to Rs. 20 lakh for meritorious students. To enhance employment prospects, new technical courses have been introduced.  

  Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has congratulated Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) scientists on the successful launching of Aditya-L1 by PSLV-C57. After the success of Chandrayaan-3, India has added another dimension to its space journey, said the Governor and added that this is a golden day for India, when this prestigious campaign has been started with the aim of serving the entire humanity. He added that it was due to motivation and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ISRO and the team involved, that the launch was successful. With this, India's reputation in space science has increased in the world. He added that ISRO scientists have enhanced India's prestige in the world.

The State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) in consultation with the RBI will explore the possibility of interest subvention facilities for borrowers affected by natural calamities. This move by the State Government is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to affected borrowers, aiding them in their recovery efforts as they rebuild their lives and businesses in the wake of devastating natural calamity,” said Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.  Keeping in view the hardships faced by borrowers in areas ravaged by unprecedented monsoon rains triggering flash floods and landslides, the State Government has taken decisive action to restructure loans. The decision aims to provide relief to those whose economic stability has been severely affected due to the disaster. Subsequent to the declaration of the State as a naturally affected area on 18th August 2023, consultations with banks culminated in the finalization of these essential measures. This initiative focuses on rescheduling all types of existing loans, including those taken for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), retail, and others, excluding advances related to agriculture and allied activities. In accordance with the RBI circular, relief measures for loans extended to agriculture and allied activities will be provided following an assessment of crop losses by the State Government.  To determine eligibility for relief measures, the accounts, that were not overdue, as on 24th June, 2023, will qualify for loan restructuring. The entire restructuring process will be completed within three months from the date of the State Government's declaration of the natural calamity i.e. 18th August, 2023. The Chief Minister said that for those eligible, a moratorium period will be implemented, allowing a deferment of principal instalment payments for up to 12 months from the date of implementing the need-based restructuring measures, assessed on a case-by-case basis. This significant relief effort extends to all regulated entities of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), including Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks (both rural and urban) and Small Finance Banks.