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Indian Express
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
In latest standoff with Raj Bhavan, Himachal government withdraws 2 V-C recruitment ads
Upping the ante against Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, the Himachal Pradesh government on Monday withdrew two advertisements issued to fill the vacant vice-chancellor (V-C) posts at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University in Palampur. The advertisements were issued on July 21 by selection committees constituted by Governor Shukla in his capacity as the chancellor of both universities. The government notification issued by the office of C Paulrasu, Secretary (Agriculture), termed the advertisements 'illegal' and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. The notification declared the advertisements withdrawn and said any action based on them would be treated as 'null and void'. The notification also referred to the observation of the office of the Himachal advocate general on this issue. 'This matter was referred to the office of learned Advocate General for the legal opinion. The Advocate General opined 'Section 22 of the University Act under this section Chancellor is an officer of the University. Therefore, his Excellence the Governor while acting as Chancellor is not performing the duties of the 'office of Governor' but as officer of the University, who is bound by the directives/instructions of the government,' the notification stated. 'When the government has requested Chancellor to drop the advertisements till the passing of Amendment Bill (Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023), Chancellor is bound by the directions of the Government,' it added. The Amendment Bill was passed by the Assembly in September 2023 and sent to the Raj Bhavan for the governor's approval. However, the governor returned the draft Bill to the state government, seeking some changes. 'Governor Shukla has gone to Delhi. He is scheduled to return today [Tuesday]. We will be able to make any comment after discussing with him,' a senior officer at Raj Bhavan said. The Himachal Assembly had passed the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 14 of 2023) on September 21 last year and sent it to the governor for assent. The governor returned it with the observation that the Model Act for Higher Agricultural Educational Institutions in India (Revised 2023) should be incorporated for constituting the selection committee. The Bill is likely to be taken up again in the Monsoon Session beginning September 18. Meanwhile, Governor Shukla set up selection committees on May 15 and June 21 to fill the V-C posts at the two universities. On July 21, the committees issued advertisements for the posts. According to the three-page notification, the governor's move to issue the advertisements was discussed extensively in the recently held Cabinet meeting under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on July 27, following which a decision to withdraw the selection process initiated by the Raj Bhavan was taken. The notification mentioned that state Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, in a letter to the Governor's secretariat on July 26, had urged that the process be halted. 'The Legislative Assembly is reconsidering the Amendment Bill, 2023. Therefore, the continuation of the selection process is not only illegal but also against the spirit of the Constitution and democratic values,' he wrote. In reply, the governor's secretariat noted that the Palampur agriculture university post has been vacant since 2023 and the Nauni horticulture university post since May 2025. It stated that the selection committee was formed strictly under the HP Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986, guidelines, and the advertisements were issued according to rules. The Himachal Pradesh government and the Raj Bhavan have locked horns on various issues, including drug abuse in the state, revenue land, etc.
Hindustan Times
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Himachal withdraws ads for VCs in farm varsities
The Himachal Pradesh government has formally withdrawn two advertisements issued for the selection of Vice-Chancellors at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (Nauni, Solan) and CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (Palampur), declaring any action taken under them 'null and void.' The Himachal Pradesh government has formally withdrawn two advertisements issued for the selection of Vice-Chancellors at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (Nauni, Solan) and CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (Palampur), declaring any action taken under them 'null and void.' (Getty Images/iStockphoto / Representational image) According to a notification issued by the Agriculture Department, the advertisements — published on July 21, 2025, by the Secretary to the Governor's office — were found to be inconsistent with provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986, as well as lacking approval from the competent authority. The matter arose after the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, passed by the Legislative Assembly in September last year, was returned by the Governor with observations. The Cabinet, in its meeting on July 29, 2025, decided that the selection process should be deferred until the Bill is reconsidered in the upcoming Assembly session scheduled from August 18 to September 2. The notification cites the opinion of the Advocate General, who stated that the Secretary to the Governor was not empowered under the University Act to issue such advertisements, which should instead come from the Registrar of the university or the Secretary of the concerned administrative department. He further pointed out that the advertisement's eligibility criteria excluded several equivalent senior ranks in the universities, and that the selection process should be restarted after the enactment of the new law. The Agriculture Department has communicated its decision to the Governor's Secretariat, clarifying that the advertisements stand withdrawn, and any proceedings initiated under them will not be valid.
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Shimla: Floral tributes paid to Dr YS Parmar on 119th birth anniversary
The 119th birth anniversary first chief minister of Himachal Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar was celebrated by paying floral tribute to his statue in Shimla on Monday. Rural development and panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh paid floral tribute to Dr Parmar on behalf of the people of the state and remembered him. (HT Photo) Rural development and panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh paid floral tribute to Dr Parmar on behalf of the people of the state and remembered him. During this, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Himachal assembly deputy speaker Vinay Kumar along with other leaders also paid tributes. Jai Ram said, 'Dr Parmar was instrumental in laying the foundation for horticulture, agriculture, industrial, and power sectors, even at a time when connectivity was a major challenge. His planning continues to benefit us today. His contributions are a source of inspiration for the new generation.' Anirudh said, 'His vision still guides our progress in the fields of industry, power, and most notably, land reforms. His work in amending the Land and Tenancy Act under Section 118, including the introduction of the Ceiling Act and abolition of the Muzaara system, laid the foundation of equitable development.' Over 5,771 saplings planted during month-long drive at Nauni University To honour the first CM of the state, 891 saplings were planted at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, on Monday. The event also marked the conclusion of its month-long Van Mahotsav plantation campaign in which a total of 5,771 saplings of 30 different species, were planted across the university campus and its research stations. Speaking on the occasion vice-chancellor of the university, Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, said, 'We have focused on converting barren patches into green zones by planting native forest species, ornamental trees and fruit-bearing plants. This not only supports pollinators such as honeybees but also generates additional income through the sale of fruits.'
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Himachal CM directs scientific investigation into mysterious apple disease
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday directed immediate scientific investigation into the outbreak of mysterious apple disease, causing significant damage to crop. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (File) A delegation of apple growers called on CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday and apprised him of a new disease. The disease was causing apple leaves to turn yellow and fall prematurely, leading to sharp decline in yield. The delegation urged the CM to take prompt action to investigate and control this issue. Taking cognisance, CM directed the vice-chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, to dispatch the University's expert teams to the affected areas immediately. He instructed that the disease be scientifically investigated and that orchardists be educated on preventive and control measures on the ground. Sukhu emphasised that the disease was spreading rapidly and causing financial losses to the growers and it was imperative to address the situation swiftly. He asked the VC to submit a detailed report to the state government within seven days so that the appropriate measures could be taken at the earliest. BJP's promise of raising Minimum Import Price (MIP) was misleading Kuldeep Singh Rathore, AICC spokesperson and Congress MLA from Theog, speaking on the apple growers' crisis, said, 'The BJP leaders are talking about raising the MIP, but it seems like a hollow promise. We fear that import duties might be reduced instead. Any agreement like this must be bilateral, not one-sided. We have strongly presented our case. I thank all leaders working sincerely, including Anurag Thakur, who wrote to the Union minister,' he said. 'This is not about Congress or BJP. All MPs should stand united to protect ₹5,000 crore Himachal's apple economy, which is facing a crisis,' he said. Nauni varsity scientists to visit apple orchards in Shimla district on July 9, 10 Experts from Nauni agricultural university will be conducting field visits and awareness campaigns across several areas of Shimla district on July 9 and 10. The initiative aims to alert farmers about prevalent diseases in apple and other stone fruits—particularly Alternaria leaf spot/blight and other foliar diseases. Each team will include a plant pathologist, entomologist, fruit scientist along with other experts. They will carry out on-ground assessments of pest and disease conditions in apple orchards and provide scientific recommendations to growers. A detailed advisory for orchardists will be issued after analysing the observations and findings from the visits.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Forest rights act in HP raises concerns over regularization of forest encroachments by apple growers.
1 2 3 Kullu: Call it a juicy loophole. A statewide campaign of the Himachal Pradesh govt to verify land ownership claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, makes environmentalists fear it may legitimise large-scale forest encroachment by commercial apple growers. While the initiative aims to settle genuine land rights of traditional forest dwellers, activists allege that the Act is being twisted to benefit wealthy orchardists who have occupied vast tracts of forest land illegally. "We support the FRA, but it should benefit only eligible forest dwellers, not those who have planted apple orchards on encroached-upon land," said Raj Machhan of the Himachal Forest Regeneration Mission. "There's a clear attempt to misinterpret the law to suit big land grabbers." Forest Pie for apple lobby The FRA was enacted to recognise the land rights of scheduled tribes and other traditional forest-dwelling communities who lived on or used forest land prior to Dec 13, 2005. However, campaigners argue that its current implementation could open the door for those who cleared forest land for orchards in recent decades. Environmentalist Surinder Papta warned the state that misuse of the Act "would not only be unconstitutional but also environmentally disastrous," adding that legitimising this kind of encroachment would be unjust to rightful claimants and may encourage further illegal occupation. 'Wood' you believe it? In apple-growing regions such as Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, and Chamba, activists claim that deforestation to expand orchards has intensified over the last decade. In Shimla's Kotkhai and Rohru areas, some orchardists are alleged to have occupied up to 100 bighas of forest land each illegally, often by felling protected deodar and pine trees. Vijay Thakur, former vice-chancellor of the University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan, described the trend as "greed-based", noting that some land grabbers cut trees for timber, build wooden houses, and then stake claims under the FRA. "This goes against the spirit of the Act and multiple court orders," he said. Despite repeated directives from the Himachal Pradesh high court to evict land grabbers and clear illegal orchards, enforcement has been inconsistent. A 2018 court-ordered special investigation team (SIT) identified 13 individuals occupying more than 2,800 bighas in Shimla alone. From 2007 to 2018, the forest department detected more than 26,000 bighas under illegal occupation across 11,200 cases. Lack of demarcation A major hurdle in tackling the issue is the lack of demarcation. The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) claimed in a report that more than 54% of HP's forest area remained undemarcated, making enforcement difficult. Forest officer Angel Chauhan said 90% of encroachment occured in unprotected areas. "Once proper demarcation is done, encroachment will be easier to address," she said. Chauhan, posted as divisional forest officer (DFO) in Kullu, added that misuse of the FRA was less likely in her district, where detected encroachment was smaller in size and implementation was monitored closely. The revenue department, led by minister Jagat Singh Negi, has held awareness workshops across the state recently to guide communities on submitting claims under the FRA. While officials maintain that due process is being followed, critics remain sceptical. MSID:: 121247696 413 |
