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Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Government Rationalises Subsidies for Financial Prudence

Leave a Comment / By / Governance Community

The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is taking steps to rationalise subsidies and freebies to address the State’s financial challenges. With the total debt soaring from ₹47,906 crore in 2018 to ₹76,651 crore in 2023, Sukhu has criticized the previous BJP regime for its wasteful expenditures and financial mismanagement. Sukhu’s government aims to improve revenue by curbing subsidies given to affluent sections of society. “We are working towards fiscal prudence, and rationalising various subsidies is one among them,” said the Chief Minister. Subsidy cuts include stopping the electricity subsidy for hotels and large commercial establishments, and imposing charges for water on rural households earning above ₹50,000 annually, while weaker sections continue to receive it for free. The government has also introduced water cess on power projects, though its implementation faces legal hurdles. Other austerity measures include deferring the salaries of top government officials for two months to symbolize the State’s commitment to financial discipline. The opposition BJP has targeted the Congress government, blaming it for the rising debt, now approaching ₹90,000 crore. Sukhu argues that his government inherited this financial burden and is taking steps to correct it, such as adopting an open tender policy for auctioning retail liquor vends, generating significant revenue compared to the previous government’s approach. Sukhu also criticized the BJP for not adequately presenting the State’s case before the 15th Finance Commission, resulting in a reduction of the revenue deficit grant and restrictions on borrowing for external projects. Sukhu’s government continues to push for reforms to stabilize the State’s finances and curb further debt accumulation. Source: The Hindu  

Himachal Government to Roll Out Early Childhood Care Scheme

Leave a Comment / By / Education Community

The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is set to launch a comprehensive early childhood care scheme aimed at the holistic development of children aged between three and six years. This initiative underscores the state government’s dedication to providing quality early childhood education and nurturing young minds. Chief Minister Sukhu announced on Thursday that the education department will implement a combination of all four Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) models recommended in the National Education Policy, 2020. “This initiative highlights the state government’s commitment to providing quality early childhood education and ensuring the holistic development and nurturing of the young minds in Himachal,” he said in a statement. Implementation Strategy The ECCE models to be implemented include: Standalone anganwadis. Anganwadis co-located with primary schools. Pre-primary schools covering children aged up to five or six co-located with existing primary schools. Standalone pre-primary schools. Currently, the state government runs 6,297 pre-primary sections in primary schools, catering to around 60,000 children. Additionally, there are 2,377 anganwadis co-located with these primary schools. Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that this scheme will ensure the overall growth and development of young children, laying a strong foundation for their future education and well-being. The government’s approach aims to integrate early childhood education seamlessly into the existing educational framework, providing a robust and supportive environment for the state’s youngest learners.

COVID-19 Update: Rising Cases, Advisory in Himachal, JN.1 Variant Spreads

Leave a Comment / By / Health & Wellness Community

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, several Indian states are urging citizens to adhere to coronavirus protocols. As of December 25, Kerala leads with 3,096 active cases, followed by Karnataka (436), Maharashtra (168), Gujarat (56), and Tamil Nadu (139). The Union Health Ministry reported 69 cases of the JN.1 COVID subvariant in the country. In response to the variant’s presence, Himachal Pradesh health officials issued an advisory. Chief medical officers are instructed to test individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, emphasizing vigilance. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar from Una recommended immediate testing for those with symptoms like cold, fever, or cough, while stressing the importance of mask-wearing. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed 34 cases of the JN.1 variant in the state, reassuring the public that the situation is under control. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged citizens not to panic, emphasizing that the health minister would provide updates. In a surprising turn, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal threatened to reveal a purported ₹40,000-crore “Covid scam” if expelled from the party. Yatnal alleges that the Karnataka BJP government, led by B S Yediyurappa, engaged in massive corruption during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delhi’s Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the city’s COVID positivity rate is around 1%. While advising caution during winter festivals, he assured the public that additional genome sequencing is being conducted. Meanwhile, a new COVID-19 case surfaced in Khurda district, Odisha, bringing the state’s total to three. All three individuals exhibit mild symptoms and are undergoing home treatment. Responding to the escalating cases, the Karnataka government’s coronavirus sub-committee implemented measures, including mandatory mask-wearing, home isolation, and caution against sending symptomatic children to schools. Dr. Shekhar C Mande, former Director-General of CSIR, emphasized the significance of disease surveillance in India, not only for COVID-19 but also for tracking the spread of various infections, including antimicrobial resistance. He highlighted the usefulness of surveillance methods such as wastewater analysis in detecting variants like JN.1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled JN.1 as a ‘variant of interest,’ distinct from its counterpart BA.2.86. Despite this, WHO maintains that the risk from JN.1 remains low for now