Himachal Pradesh

Forty-one Balmiki families in Dharamsala await land ownership rights for plots allotted in the 1960s. Despite living on the land for over 60 years and building permanent homes, they lack legal title. The Chief Minister has directed the District Magistrate to address the issue and grant ownership.

A 38-year-old tourist from Haryana, Gaurav Gautam, died mysteriously in McLeodganj. Found unconscious in his hotel room, he had been staying there since July 30. Preliminary investigations point to excessive drinking, as blood and liquid stains, alongside a liquor bottle, were found. A post-mortem was performed; further investigation is ongoing.

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhu promised to consider the electricity board employees' demands. He will look into filling vacant posts, withdraw chargesheets against union leaders, and allow peaceful protests. The delegation wants abolished posts restored, the Old Pension Scheme, and a policy for outsourced employees.

The Vidhan Sabha Speaker reviewed security for the upcoming monsoon session starting August 18, emphasizing safety and convenience. The session will have 12 sittings and end on September 2. Proper pass issuance, designated entry gates, and earmarked parking were discussed.

Landslides on the Kiratpur-Manali highway between Mandi and Kullu have made travel dangerous and caused traffic congestion. Key locations are experiencing recurring landslides, leading to one-way traffic and travel delays. The damaged highway threatens the apple harvest and tourism, while authorities advise against non-essential travel.

Over 300 roads in the state are blocked due to heavy rain, with Mandi district most affected. Orange weather warnings predict continued heavy rainfall through August 18th. People are urged to avoid vulnerable areas and water bodies. Nagrota Surian received the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours.

Apple growers in Mandi face a crisis as 191 roads remain blocked for over a month due to landslides and heavy rain. Farmers struggle to transport produce, risking significant losses. Political leaders criticize the slow road restoration efforts and demand immediate action from the government to mitigate the economic disaster.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur assessed flood damage in Himachal Pradesh, revealing 523 damaged educational institutions, including 109 destroyed. Rs 16 crore is allocated to rebuild destroyed schools. Site selection for new schools will consider safety, and destroyed schools near functional ones will merge. Road restoration and apple procurement efforts are also underway.

A speeding truck carrying tiles overturned near Nadaun, killing the driver and a 65-year-old woman. The accident occurred 15 km from the truck's destination. Police are investigating the cause, including a mechanical inspection, and suspect overspeeding. Eyewitnesses suggest driver fatigue may have played a role.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhu urged youth to fight drugs and support a drug-free state. The government focuses on youth employment, tourism investment, education reforms, and supporting orphans. He launched an HIV awareness campaign and a car-bin distribution drive.

GK bank

Following favourable weather conditions and the completion of the restoration work on the route, the yatra will resume from August 13

Motive behind murder not known and weapon also yet to be recovered

His family members have been informed about the incident and are said to have arrived to take the body back

IGMC issued an advisory about scrub typhus following a death. The disease, transmitted by chigger bites, causes high fever, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes. Preventative measures include full-sleeved clothing, long pants, closed shoes, and weed-free surroundings. Seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.

Dr. YS Parmar University hosted a natural farming event for horticulture students. Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma and Vice-Chancellor Chandel shared insights and practical field experience. Students observed crop trials, learned about healthy diets, indigenous crops, and entrepreneurial opportunities within chemical-free food production. The event promoted natural farming as a sustainable agricultural model.

Kuldeep Kumar Dhiman of Himachal Pradesh's SC Commission met Kishor Makwana in Delhi. Dhiman discussed the state's activities and government schemes, highlighting progress toward self-reliance and a commitment to the welfare of vulnerable groups.

Doon Valley Public School's girls' volleyball team achieved third place in the Cluster XVI Tournament. They competed against 16 Under-19 teams in Sirsa, Haryana. The team displayed teamwork and determination, earning praise from school management. The Managing Director encouraged continued participation.

A Swadeshi Jagran Manch protest against foreign e-commerce companies occurred on Monday, drawing participants from various local areas. The protest aimed to protect local businesses, citing concerns about predatory pricing and market dominance by companies like Walmart, Flipkart, and Amazon. Further nationwide campaigns are planned.

Roadside parking brings markets to a crawl

Malicious link lures victims into sharing personal details

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukh-Aashray Scheme supports orphaned and destitute youth. The program provides financial aid, including marriage assistance, education, and housing. Beneficiaries in Mandi district, like Naveen Kumar and Poonam Sharma, express gratitude for the scheme's impactful support and compassionate governance.

The Health Minister announced a proposal for a separate allied sciences college to retain students within the state. Increased seats for allied health programs were noted. He emphasized the need for skilled healthcare personnel and urged youth to prioritize environmental conservation and avoid drugs.

A five-day training on sustainable, chemical-free agriculture began in Sirmaur. 42 community resource persons will guide farmers. The program, part of the National Mission on Natural Farming, aims to improve soil health, protect the environment, and promote safe food through village-level agricultural advisors.

Avtar Singh was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 1,000 fine for committing an unnatural act with a cow on December 12, 2013. Failure to pay the fine results in an additional year of imprisonment. The incident occurred near Rajban village, and the accused was apprehended on the spot.