Drug Crackdown: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu orders panchayat-level mapping of drug networks by 20 April,
Himachal Pradesh Top News (April 2025):
Drug Crackdown: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu orders panchayat-level mapping of drug networks by 20 April, with 259 properties of drug mafia identified for demolition. SPs directed to prepare dossiers on peddlers and consumers, while districts lag in initial 15 March deadline.
Green State Initiative: Govt aims to achieve “green state” status by 2027 through afforestation, natural farming, solar energy, and replacing conventional vehicles with EVs. Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana targets tree planting on barren lands.
Wellness Tourism Push: Clearances for hotels, wellness centers, and hospitals expedited (within 30 days) under relaxed Section 118 rules. Plans include 200 high-end hotels and four wellness centers, with Dharamshala airport expansion underway.
Budget Priorities: 2025-26 budget allocates 45% expenditure to salaries/pensions, 24% to developmental works. Fiscal deficit concerns persist amid rising debt.
Avalanche Alerts: High-altitude areas in five districts (including Lahaul-Spiti) under avalanche warnings. IMD predicts light rain/snowfall in parts, with Lahaul-Spiti cited as most avalanche-prone due to climate change.
Infrastructure Upgrades: 402 e-vehicle charging stations planned. Residents in Spiti protest frequent power outages, demanding reliable supply.
Legal Developments: HP High Court allows Anurag Thakur to contest Boxing Federation polls, staying his disqualification.
Recent Incidents:
Gang Arrests: Four gangsters linked to Punjab trainer’s murder arrested in Kangra with weapons and vehicles recovered.
Political Unrest: BJP held protests in Shimla targeting Congress over law-and-order issues, while cross-border tensions arise with Punjab groups targeting HP transport buses.
Attack on Ex-MLA: Former legislator Bamber Thakur injured in shooting; blames drug mafia.
