22 Officials Under Vigilance Investigation for Corruption in Chamba Forest Department’s MGNREGA Scheme
In Chamba’s forest ranges, 22 Forest Department officials are under investigation for alleged irregularities in MGNREGA works, involving ₹5,501,782. Preliminary findings suggest collusion among range officers, block officers, and forest guards, who misrepresented work and materials in government documents. A prior departmental inquiry found irregularities in 32 of 41 projects, prompting a vigilance investigation after complaints from a district council member and local residents in 2019. The Deputy Commissioner referred the case to the District Rural Development Agency for further investigation into these allegations.
HRTC Implements New SOP to Prevent Ticketless Travel on Buses, Enforcing Strict Disciplinary Actions
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at curbing ticketless travel and ticket issuance irregularities. The SOP mandates strict disciplinary actions against operators failing to issue valid tickets or engaging in discrepancies. Regular employees may face charge sheets and suspensions, while contract operators risk termination after investigations. Operators must issue tickets based on the prescribed fare, and in cases of age uncertainty for children, higher-priced tickets should be issued. Actions will be based on fare amounts, passenger counts, and operator service records.
Dr. YS Parmar University Announces Major Fee Reduction for 2026-27, Providing Relief to Students
Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni has announced a revised fee structure for the 2026-27 academic session following student protests. Significant reductions have been made for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Fees for UG general seats decreased from ₹68,700 to ₹49,500, and for self-financing seats from ₹1.27 lakh to ₹99,990. PG general fees dropped from ₹87,000 to ₹55,000, while self-financing fees fell from ₹1.42 lakh to ₹1.05 lakh. Additional fee reductions include the admission fee, placement guidance fee, and refundable college security.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu inaugurates 26 development projects worth ₹333.25 crore in Chamba, promises improvement in health and road services.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, inaugurated 26 development projects worth ₹333.25 crores in the Chamba Assembly constituency. Key highlights include a new 200-bed hospital at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, aimed at enhancing healthcare services. Additionally, several road upgrades and a bridge were inaugurated to improve regional connectivity. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation for a multi-story vehicle parking facility and access roads to various villages, underscoring the government’s commitment to rural development and infrastructure enhancement.
Grand Conclusion of International Minjar Fair in Chamba, Chief Minister Participates in Procession and Minjar Immersion
The International Minjar Fair in Chamba concluded on August 2, 2026, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu leading a traditional procession that included the immersion of the ‘Minjar’ in the Ravi River. The event featured local deities, cultural performances, and participants in traditional attire, attracting tourists. The Chief Minister offered the Minjar, consisting of coconuts, seasonal fruits, and coins, while praying for peace and prosperity. Dignitaries such as Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal also attended the procession, highlighting Chamba’s cultural heritage.
IIT Mandi Improves Ranking in NIRF 2025, HP University and SPU Drop Out of Top 100
In the NIRF-2025 rankings, IIT Mandi improved its position to 58 overall and 26 in engineering, while Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and Sardar Patel University (SPU) failed to enter the top 100. Shoolini University ranked for the first time, although it fell short in some categories. The rankings, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, included 17 categories, and 14,163 colleges registered this year. Despite efforts to enhance educational quality, HPU and SPU have shown no improvement in higher education rankings, raising concerns about public university standards in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal CM to Launch ‘Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ Providing ₹1,500 to 2.5 Lakh Women
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu, has introduced the ‘Apna Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, set to be launched by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on August 18 in Mandi. The scheme aims to support approximately 178,000 poor families by providing eligible women with a monthly honorarium of ₹1,500 via Direct Benefit Transfer. Currently, around 34,000 women benefit from this program, with the number expected to rise significantly. Additionally, families will receive basic amenities, including 300 units of free electricity monthly and financial aid for constructing permanent homes, promoting social and economic security.