Latest news with #SukhvinderSinghSukhu
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Himachal makes dope testing for ‘Chitta' mandatory in police recruitment
Days after Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla expressed concern about the drug menace in the State, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said his government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the drug menace, even as it decided to introduce mandatory dope testing for 'Chitta' (heroin) during police recruitment. He made the remark during the Cabinet meeting held under his chairmanship in Shimla. The Departments of Police, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Health elaborated the steps being taken to combat drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh. 'The State government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the drug menace and is fully committed to protecting the youth from falling victim to drug abuse,' said Mr. Sukhu, adding that there's an urgent need of coordinated actions to dismantle drug networks to protect the youth of the State from addiction. The Cabinet decided to introduce mandatory dope testing for 'Chitta' (heroin) during police recruitment. Besides, all new government employees will be required to submit an undertaking confirming they do not consume 'Chitta', said an official statement, adding that strict action would be taken against any government employees found involved in drug-related activities. 'It was informed during the meeting that the drug abuse situation in Himachal Pradesh remains under control, with Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 cases accounting for nine percent of total cases, significantly lower than Punjab's 20%. Under the tenure of the present government, 45 cases were registered, and properties worth Rs 42.22 crore belonging to individuals involved in drug-related activities were attached. This marks a more than two-fold increase in the number of cases and a three-fold increase in the value of properties seized as compared to previous periods,' it added. The Chief Minister directed the Health Department to intensify its efforts in capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counseling, follow-up, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction. Besides, he emphasized the need for a coordinated approach, asking all concerned departments to work jointly in waging a comprehensive war against substance abuse. He also stressed the importance of regular interstate border monitoring to prevent drug trafficking.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
HP Cabinet gives nod to structural safety audits for buildings
Shimla, The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the recommendations of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, including conducting structural safety audits of buildings to assess their disaster resilience and taking retrofitting measures to minimise risks, an official statement said. HP Cabinet gives nod to structural safety audits for buildings The sub-committee, headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, was constituted to examine and suggest measures for strengthening the state's disaster preparedness and rehabilitation mechanisms, it said. Besides conducting safety audits of buildings, the panel recommended making earthquake-resistant and hazard-resilient construction mandatory across the state. It also suggested the integration of home guards, civil defence, fire services and State Disaster Response Force with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authorities 's Disaster Management Cell to ensure a swift coordinated response during emergencies. In a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Cabinet also decided to induct 1,386 eligible Jal Rakshaks , who have completed 12 years or more of service as on December 31, 2024, as pump attendants in the Jal Shakti Vibhag, the statement said. It approved the procurement of apples at ₹12 per kg under the Market Intervention Scheme for 2025. It also decided to procure B and C grade kinnow, malta, and orange at ₹12 per kg, galgal at ₹10 per kg and seedling, grafted and kacha achari mango at ₹12 per kg under the scheme. The Cabinet also approved the translocation of 325 trees under phase-I of the development of the Durgesh-Aranya Zoological Park at Bankhandi in Dehra, Kangra district. The Cabinet gave the nod to the up-gradation and equipping of 18 daycare centres for chemotherapy in district hospitals and select Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, the statement said. It said this initiative aims to provide accessible follow-up treatment for cancer patients within their districts, reducing the need to travel to medical colleges or out of the state, thereby saving both time and money for the patients and their families. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
6 hours ago
- Business
- News18
HP Cabinet gives nod to structural safety audits for buildings
Shimla, Jul 29 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the recommendations of a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, including conducting structural safety audits of buildings to assess their disaster resilience and taking retrofitting measures to minimise risks, an official statement said. The sub-committee, headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, was constituted to examine and suggest measures for strengthening the state's disaster preparedness and rehabilitation mechanisms, it said. Besides conducting safety audits of buildings, the panel recommended making earthquake-resistant and hazard-resilient construction mandatory across the state. It also suggested the integration of home guards, civil defence, fire services and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) with the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authorities (HPSDMA)'s Disaster Management Cell to ensure a swift coordinated response during emergencies. In a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Cabinet also decided to induct 1,386 eligible Jal Rakshaks (water guards), who have completed 12 years or more of service as on December 31, 2024, as pump attendants in the Jal Shakti Vibhag, the statement said. It approved the procurement of apples at Rs 12 per kg under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2025. It also decided to procure B and C grade kinnow, malta, and orange at Rs 12 per kg, galgal at Rs 10 per kg and seedling, grafted and kacha achari mango at Rs 12 per kg under the scheme. The Cabinet also approved the translocation of 325 trees under phase-I of the development of the Durgesh-Aranya Zoological Park at Bankhandi in Dehra, Kangra district. The Cabinet gave the nod to the up-gradation and equipping of 18 daycare centres for chemotherapy in district hospitals and select Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, the statement said. It said this initiative aims to provide accessible follow-up treatment for cancer patients within their districts, reducing the need to travel to medical colleges or out of the state, thereby saving both time and money for the patients and their families. PTI BPL DIV DIV view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 23:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
9 hours ago
- Health
- News18
Dope test for Chitta mandatory in HP police hiring
Agency: Shimla, July 29 (PTI) A doping test for 'Chitta' will now be mandatory during police recruitment in Himachal Pradesh and newly recruited government employees will be required to submit an undertaking stating they do not consume the synthetic drug, officials said on Tuesday. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, officials said. During the meeting, police, social justice and empowerment and health departments gave detailed presentations on the measures being taken to combat drug abuse in the state. The chief minister said strict action would be taken against any government employee found involved in drug-related activities. 'The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the drug menace and is fully committed to protecting the youth from falling victim to drug abuse," Sukhu said. He underlined the need for coordinated efforts to dismantle drug networks. According to a statement issued here, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) cases in Himachal Pradesh constitute nine per cent of total cases, significantly lower than Punjab's 20 per cent. The health department has been asked to strengthen efforts related to capacity building, awareness generation, treatment, counselling, follow-up and rehabilitation of persons affected by substance abuse. Integrated Rehabilitation Centres (IRCs) have been set up in Kullu, Hamirpur, Nurpur and Una and a new project with an outlay of Rs 14.95 crore will be implemented to establish similar centres at all district headquarters under the state action plan of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The chief minister also directed Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Panchayati Raj Institutions, civil society organisations and the education department to participate actively in spreading awareness about the ill-effects of drug abuse. He stressed the need for a coordinated approach among departments to combat substance abuse and also called for regular interstate border monitoring to prevent drug trafficking. PTI BPL OZ OZ view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Any insult to Tricolour will not be tolerated: Himachal CM
The Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday accused the BJP of insulting the national flag. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (File) Sukhu said the government has taken a tough stance regarding the alleged misbehaviour with cabinet minister Jagat Singh Negi in Seraj and the insult to the national flag. 'Any insult to the Tricolour will not be tolerated under any circumstances. A final decision regarding the entire incident will be taken after a meeting with Negi,' he said. Sukhu said, 'This act of BJP workers is indecent. The government has taken strict cognizance of this.' On Friday, in Janjehli area of Seraj assembly, some people showed black flags to revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi in protest against shifting of Thunag Horticulture College and threw shoes and black flags on his tricolour-bearing vehicle. The Mandi police on Saturday registered a case under sections 126 (2), 189 (2), 190, 191 (2) of BNS. 'On the demand of the children studying in the horticulture college and their parents, the government shifted Thunag College not far away but to Gohar of Nachan adjoining Mandi district. The revenue minister was repeatedly telling the public that this is the government's decision. But the people of BJP misbehaved with him. The government condemns this,' Sukhu said. Case should be withdrawn immediately: BJP state spokesperson Calling Sukhu-led state government 'insensitive', BJP state spokesperson Ajay Rana said, 'We strongly condemn the Himachal government for the way a case was registered against more than 65 people in Thunag area. The case should be withdrawn immediately by the government. The government should also have seen against whom they are registering FIRs, we clearly want to convey this voice to the ears of the government that 90% of the people in that protest were those who have been devastated by this disaster. Is this an attempt to scare the innocent people of Himachal? The public got angry because Jagat Negi's language was not right,' said BJP spokesperson. 'How was the tricolour insulted,' questioned BJP leader, while pointing at some past similar incidents that happened with BJP leaders.
