It does not behove Governor to say 'Himachal will become Udta Punjab': CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
The Governor had, on Thursday (July 24, 2025), expressed his displeasure over the "lack of government rehabilitation centres" in the State and warned that if immediate action is not taken to eradicate drug menace, Himachal Pradesh would become "Udta Punjab" in the next five years.
Himachal Pradesh suffers losses of ₹1500 crore during ongoing monsoon season
Pointing out the cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act rose by 340% from around 500 in 2012 to about 2,200 in 2023, the Governor had said, "There is only one rehab run by the Red Cross in Kullu. We have been hearing that land is being identified to set up a rehabilitation centre in Sirmaur district, but nothing is moving on the ground."
Talking to mediapersons in Shimla, Mr. Sukhu said, "The Governor is holding a constitutional and dignified office and we respect him. But making such statements does not behove him. We should all respect the people of Himachal Pradesh."
At least 7 killed, 27 injured as bus rolls down into gorge in Himachal
Detailing his government's efforts to curb drug use in the State, Mr. Sukhu said, "No previous governments have done what we have done against the drugs. Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, which enables the detention of repeat offenders involved in drug-trafficking, was invoked for the first time in Himachal Pradesh within three months after the formation of the Congress government," he said.
The Chief Minister informed that ₹43 crore worth of illegally acquired properties of drug-traffickers have been seized and directions were given for mapping of all the 3,575 panchayats in the State. A head constable as well as a constable would be deployed for every 5-6 panchayats to dedicatedly work against drug abuse. 'The mapping would reveal a drug abuser and the source of drugs,' he said.
"I will also apprise the Governor of steps taken against drug abuse and inform him that several non-governmental organisations are working in this direction. For the first time, a Nasha Nivaran Kendra (State-level model drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre) was opened at Kotla Barog in Pachhad sub-division of Sirmour district," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Govt. to table private school fee Bill in Monsoon Session: CM
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said the Delhi government will table a Bill to regulate fee hikes by private schools during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly, beginning August 4. Amid ongoing protests by parents, the Delhi government had earlier approved a draft of the Bill and proposed bringing an Ordinance, since the Assembly was not in session. Now, it has decided to table the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. 'The Delhi government will table the Bill to regulate fee hikes by private schools in the Monsoon Session of Assembly beginning from August 4,' Ms. Gupta said while addressing the media. The parents' groups, while pointing out issues in the Bill, said that they will send their detailed suggestions to the government on Sunday. Three-level checks A three-level verification will be implemented to regulate fee hikes, according to the Bill seen by The Hindu. First, schools will form an 11-member committee comprising the school management – a management representative and principal – three teachers, five parents from the parent-teacher association, selected by a draw of lots, and a nominee of the Directorate of Education (DoE). A District Fee Appellate Committee will hear appeals against the decisions taken by school-level committees. A similar procedure will be followed with a State-level revision committee, which will be the highest appellate authority. An aggrieved parents' group, which the Bill describes as 15% of the total strength of parents in an affected school, may appeal to the District Fee Appellate Committee within 30 days from the time the fees are approved, against the decisions of school-level committees. The Bill also specifies that if a school is found levying a fee that is not determined in the provisions of the Act, the DoE will direct the school to roll back the fee and refund the excess amount to the parents. The penalty for violators can range between ₹1 lakh and ₹10 lakh. Meanwhile, a fine of ₹50,000 will be levied on schools for harassing students over delayed payment of fees. The Bill also mentions the 10 factors that will determine the fee structure, including the location of the school, infrastructure made available, the education standardof schools, and a reasonable revenue surplus as may be prescribed. Divya Mattey, a parent of a student who studies in Delhi Public School, Dwarka, said, 'It will be difficult to get a minimum of 15% of the parent body to raise a question.' Mr. Mattey said that parents have noted that the penalties might not affect bigger schools, for whom '₹50,000 might be a small amount'. AAP, BJP at odds Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi State president Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised the Bill, saying, 'Until now, even under the 1973 law, if a single parent felt that fees had been unfairly hiked, they could file a complaint with the DoE. Now, that has been scrapped. Under the new law, you'll need a minimum of 15% of parents to raise a complaint. In a school with 3,000 students, that means identifying 450 parents – a near-impossible task.' Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said, 'It would have been better if Saurabh Bharadwaj had waited until the Bill was tabled in the upcoming session before commenting on it.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Jagdeep Dhankar forced out by government as he decided to go by book: Mallikarjun Kharge
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday claimed that former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced out by the Modi govt because after years of "harassing" the opposition, he suddenly decided to move by the book. The decision to admit the notice to remove Justice Shekhar Yadav, along with the one against Justice Yashwant Varma, riled the govt, and PM Narendra Modi gave Dhankhar the option of either withdrawing his order or face action, Kharge alleged. He said Dhankhar opted to resign. Speaking at Congress's annual legal conclave, Kharge recounted the "harassment" of the opposition at the hands of Dhankhar. He mentioned that Dhankhar had suspended a record number of MPs from Rajya Sabha, while Congress MP Rajni Patil was suspended for seven months, lamenting "this is their democracy". But then, he said, Dhankhar one day woke up to his constitutional role because he realised that his tenure would be remembered in history if he worked as per rules, rubbing the PM and BJP the wrong way. The Congress brass, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, attended the conclave themed "Constitutional Challenges: Perspectives & Pathways". A message from Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi was read out by senior leader Salman Khurshid. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like OASES drives growth in Hong Kong's innovation landscape by guiding tech companies into the city OASES Undo "Today, the Constitution is under siege. BJP-RSS, which never fought for freedom or upheld equality, now uses its power to dismantle the very framework it long opposed," Sonia Gandhi said. "Now, they seek to erase socialism and secularism, pillars of Ambedkar's vision of equal citizenship. This is not reform but an ideological coup replacing our democratic republic with a theocratic corporate state serving the powerful few," she added. "We will oppose every attempt to undermine the Constitution, in Parliament, in courts, and on the streets. Our mission is clear - to reclaim the republic and protect the rights of each and every person," Sonia Gandhi said. Kharge alleged that when Dhankhar started asserting that he was independent and allowed a notice for the opposition's motion to remove Varma, he was "threatened and pressured" by the govt. This is the first time that the Congress brass linked Dhankhar's resignation, which it called sacking, to govt pressure on constitutional offices. Earlier, whenever Kharge was asked about the reason for Dhankhar's resignation he would respond saying he had no information and it was for Dhankhar to tell what happened since it was a matter between him and Prime Minister Modi.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rahul claims Jaitley 'threat' over farm laws, late minister's son hits back
Rahul Gandhi (File photo) NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that Modi govt had sent Arun Jaitley to threaten him for opposing farm laws, drawing sharp reactions from BJP and the former Union minister's son, who said the Lok Sabha leader of opposition was "lying" as the three laws had been introduced in 2020 while Jaitley died in 2019. While education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Gandhi's "immaturity and childish disgusting mentality has done the insensitive work of spreading lies in the name of the late Jaitley", FM Nirmala Sitharaman said, "If irresponsibility has a face, it is Rahul Gandhi." Addressing Congress's annual legal conclave, Rahul said, "I remember when I was fighting the farm laws, he's not here any more so I really shouldn't say it, but I will - Arun Jaitley ji was sent to me. .. to threaten me." "He said, 'if you carry on down this path, opposing the govt and fighting us on the farm laws, we'll have to take act against you'," he alleged. "I replied, 'I think you don't know or have an idea who you're talking to. We're Congress people, and we're not cowards. We are not going to bend; the superpower British couldn't bend us'," Rahul said. Rebutting Rahul's claims about his father, Rohan Jaitley said,"Let the departed rest in peace ....let by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Reverse Osmosis Treatment Leaf Home Water Solutions Learn More Undo me remind him, my father passed away in 2019. The farm laws were introduced in 2020." "More importantly, it was not in my father's nature to threaten anyone over an opposing view. He was a staunch democrat and always believed in building consensus," he added. "If at all such a situation was to occur, as it often does in politics, he would invite free and open discussions to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to all," Rohan added.
