Himachal Pradesh Weekly – Paper Leak, Temple Trusts & Early Bloom Alarms
Mar 2025 Week I - A comprehensive round up of all the updates from the Pahari region
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Early blooming of the Buransh (rhododendron) flower in Himachal Pradesh is raising alarms among environmentalists as a sign of climate change. Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall are causing the flowers to bloom as early as February, instead of mid-March. This premature blooming could negatively affect the region's biodiversity, impacting nectar for bees and altering the flower's medicinal properties.
Education
The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education cancelled the Class 12 English exam after a paper leak was confirmed via video evidence, teachers mistakenly opened the Class 12 paper instead of the Class 10 paper. The incident occurred at a school in Chamba. A re-exam date will be announced later.
"Mere Shahar Ke 100 Ratna" program announced to provide free coaching for competitive exams to 6,800 students, investing ₹34 crore. CRACK Academy will coach 100 top students per constituency.
Infrastructure and Economy
Himachal signed a Memorandum of Commitment with Spray Engineering Devices Limited to set up an integrated manufacturing facility in Solan district with an investment of Rs 1,400 crore. The facility will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), green hydrogen, and 2G ethanol and is expected to create 1,000 jobs.
The state budget for 2025-26 will be presented on March 17.
Government is investing Rs 146.34 crore in constructing underground utility ducts in Shimla. The ducts will house water pipelines, electrical lines, and fiber cables, avoiding repeated road digging.
NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) sanctioned ₹109 crore for 10 rural road projects in Himachal.
UAE Investment Opportunities: The Chief Minister invited UAE to invest in key sectors such as tourism, hospitality, green energy, dairy, food processing, and data storage.
Himachal Pradesh faces a critical financial situation with its debt reaching ~ ₹1 lakh crore. State received ₹11,000 crore in aid from the central government. A significant portion is used for salaries and pensions instead of development. The state's Revenue Deficit Grant is decreasing and is projected to reduce to ₹3,257 crore in 2025-26. The government has taken loans with ₹18,054 crore (63% of ₹30,080 crore) spent on repaying past debts. This has led to delayed pensions and salaries.
Governance and Administration
The state is launching a recruitment drive to fill over 2,000 government jobs, including positions formerly managed by the HPSSC. A two-year age relaxation is offered. The government is aiming for a transparent selection via computer-based tests, streamlining applications with a one-time registration module by March 20.
Chief Minister launched CM Dashboard for government authorities to monitor the progress and performance of Key Performance Indicators across eight departments. Notably this dashboard is not for public use.
The state is implementing a new classification system for its 135 police stations. Stations will be categorized into six tiers based on factors like population, crime rates, VIP movement, traffic, and tourism. The goal is to improve resource allocation, strengthen law enforcement, and enhance security.
The Himachal Pradesh government had asked temple trusts to contribute towards the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray and Shiksha Yojna. This move has come under strong condemnation from various sections. VHP objected to this decision, terming it an "attack" on Temples. BJP has also criticized this decision and has alleged financial mismanagement.
Social Issues and Programs
Tribal Women's Rights: Customary laws that foster inequality among tribal communities (Wajib-ul-Urj), particularly regarding property rights for women, are still followed despite Supreme Court clarifications. This customary law is prevalent in the tribal belts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts, as well as in some pockets of Chamba district, areas known for polyandry due to limited land and resources.
Government is engaging mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, self-help groups, and panchayats to expand and conserve forests, with a ₹100 crore budget. Participants will be compensated based on sapling survival after five years. The initiative promotes fruit trees and high-value fodder to deter crop damage by wildlife. Private entrepreneurs are also being supported with technical aid.
Tourism
Starting April 1, 2025, Govt. is increasing toll charges at 55 toll barriers to fund road maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. Private vehicles will now pay INR 70 (previously INR 60), and heavy goods vehicles will be charged INR 570 (previously INR 550). The tourism industry is concerned about the impact on already struggling businesses.
Four Gram Panchayats in Tirthan Valley, near the Great Himalayan National Park, have adopted a vision under the Himachal Panchayati Raj Act to regulate tourism sustainably. Aiming to prevent river pollution and protect religious sites, they prioritize eco-friendly infrastructure, traditional architecture, and local cultural preservation.
Govt. is re-evaluating Homestay Rules, 2025. Key concerns include high fees, commercial utility rates, mandatory GST, and strict standards for both urban and rural areas. Homestay operators seek concessions, while hotelier associations want stricter regulations.