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United News of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
HC notice to Himachal deputy chief whip on plea challenging post
Shimla, May 30 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued a notice to Kewal Singh Pathania, currently holding the post of Deputy Chief Whip, in response to a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the position itself. The division bench comprising justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sushil Kukreja passed the order while accepting the application filed by the petitioner. The writ petition, filed in 2019 by advocate Rajneesh Maniktala, contends that the posts of Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip were created solely to accommodate political functionaries and are in violation of constitutional principles. Senior advocate Rajneesh Maniktala, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the legislation brought in by the state to create these posts is ultra vires to the Constitution and places an additional burden on the exchequer. The petition states that when the law was enacted in 2018, the state was already reeling under a debt of Rs. 41,000 crore, which has now ballooned to over Rs. 90,000 crore. 'Irrespective of which party is in power, such positions are created to maintain political equilibrium and provide perks to loyalists at the taxpayers' expense,' the petition claims. The Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government had introduced legislation in the Assembly in 2018 to create the posts of Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, with provisions for cabinet-rank privileges. The appointments made under this legislation were challenged in the High Court soon after by Advocate Maniktala. After the Congress government came to power under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the practice continued, with Kewal Singh Pathania being appointed to the Deputy Chief Whip post. His appointment, which remains in force, is now under judicial scrutiny. Notably, in a related development last year, the Himachal Pradesh High Court declared the appointment of six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries unconstitutional — a ruling that has also been challenged and is pending further adjudication. The current notice to Kewal Singh Pathania revives the legal debate over whether political appointments such as the Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip — enjoying the status and benefits of cabinet ministers — are consistent with constitutional norms or merely a tool to reward political loyalty. The matter will be heard further in the coming weeks, as the court seeks a formal response from the state government and the respondent. UNI ML PRS
United News of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
40 Himachali students studying in J&K being brought back safely: Kewal Singh Pathania
Dharamshala, May 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Whip, Kewal Singh Pathania, today informed that nearly 40 Himachali students studying in Jammu & Kashmir were being brought back home safely. Among these students, 17 are from Kangra district, four from Mandi, five from Hamirpur, four from Sirmaur, one each from Kullu, Lahaul, and Una, two each from Bilaspur and Solan. Pathania stated that these students reached Jammu by Saturday evening and will be transported to their respective destinations in Himachal Pradesh by Sunday morning. He further mentioned that he had met Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and urged him to ensure the safe return of students studying in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar. Pathania expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for understanding the concerns of parents who were anxious about their children's safety. He lauded the swift and effective steps taken by the state government to bring the students back safely. 'The safety and well-being of our students is a top priority for the state government,' Pathania emphasised, assuring that the government will take every possible measure in this regard. He also informed that all students are traveling in an HRTC bus bearing registration number HP-38H-1295. The conductor of the bus, Jatin, can be reached at 9906816445. UNI AR RN
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM directs to coordinate with J-K Govt. for safe evacuation of Himachali students
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 9 (ANI): Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday and apprised him about the concerns raised by the parents of Himachali students studying in Jammu & Kashmir, mostly in Srinagar amid the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan. He said that about 103 students were currently pursuing their studies in Jammu and Kashmir, and their families were deeply worried about their well-being and were urged to bring them back home safely, according to a release. The Chief Minister assured that the State Government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Himachali students. He immediately asked the Chief Secretary for prompt and coordinated action to bring the students back home safely. Earlier in the day, the Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi, said that the state is fully prepared for internal security and that the current situation along the Indo-China border in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti remains peaceful. Speaking to the media in Shimla, Negi said the state is ready for internal security. 'Himachal Pradesh is ready for internal security.' He added that while the state does not share a direct border with Pakistan, some districts like Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti border China, and currently, there is no tension in those regions. 'Everything is peaceful. We hope it remains peaceful in the future as well,' he said. Negi noted that all small hydro power projects in Kinnaur district have security deployed, and arrangements for their protection have been made. 'We do not have many large dams in Himachal. The only major dam is Bhakra. In Kinnaur, there are several small hydro power projects which naturally require protection,' he said. Pakistan on Thursday night launched a series of coordinated drone and missile attacks along India's western border, targeting regions in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan. According to Indian defence officials, the attacks were largely intercepted by India's air defence systems, including the S-400 missile defence system, preventing significant damage. This comes after India conducted Operation Sindoor earlier this week, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists on April 22. The situation remains volatile, with international calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. (ANI)
