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Shailee Dogra

Articles by Shailee Dogra

Himachal: HP govt plans to downgrade 85 schools with low enrolment

The Himachal Pradesh government in the last two years has closed/ merged 1,201 schools and de-notified 17 colleges

The move comes in response to a sharp and steady decline in student enrolment in government schools. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 09, 2025 10:02 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Congress’ ‘leniency’ led to Waqf boards flouting norms: Kangana

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, early on Friday after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following a debate that spanned more than 13 hours

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at a rally in Mandi on Saturday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 06, 2025 06:38 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Former HP CM Virbhadra Singh’s statue to be unveiled at Shimla’s Ridge on June 23

In February 2024, the government declined a no-objection certificate (NOC) to install the six-ft-tall statue of the former CM on the Ridge, leading to Vikramaditya resigning from the state cabinet.

Nearly four years after his death, a statue of Virbhadra Singh, the six-time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, will be installed at the Ridge in Shimla on his birth anniversary on June 23. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 05, 2025 03:37 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra

Kangana ‘missing’ from Mandi, says Vikramaditya, MP hits back

Kangana said she had been ‘moving around’ in Mandi constituency and had distributed Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds

Himachal public works minister Vikramaditya Singh (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 08:36 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Revamp work on, Naggar Castle closed for two years

The castle houses a museum depicting Himachal’s arts and crafts like patoos, shawls, gudmas, nagaras, carpets, including figures of devis and devtas in traditional attire

Naggar Castle was built by Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu around 1460 AD and served as the residence of the rulers of Kullu for centuries. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 03, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Extension in service only to be made in exceptional cases: Himachal HC

High court quashes re-employment to the post of animal husbandry dept director, says mere because recommendation from an elected representative does not justify the extension

Disposing of two petitions, the high court quashed re-employment to the post of animal husbandry department director. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 02, 2025 05:48 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Manikaran tragedy: A Maggi break that became last stop for 3 Hisar students

The three victims, Dhinta, Manish and Gulshan, were part of a group of 17 students from Haryana School of Digital Marketing (HSDM), a coaching institute in Hisar, who had come on a trip

Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur meets kin of locals injured in the Manikaran accident, on Monday. (Aqil Khan /HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 31, 2025 10:26 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Sunil Rahar, Shimla/rohtak

HP yet to deposit ₹178 cr for Chandigarh-Baddi rail link, Rajya Sabha told

The project was sanctioned on a 50:50 cost-sharing between state government and the Union railways ministry

The ministry shared the information while responding to a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Indu Bala Goswami regarding proportion of the cost to be shared by the Centre and the state government for the Chandigarh-Baddi railway line. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 29, 2025 10:31 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Sukhu asks SPs to map drug users in Himachal by April 20

CM Sukhu was apprised during a high-level meeting to review the progress of the survey that no district had so far completed mapping of drug users at panchayat-level, the deadline for which was earlier set at March 15

Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 29, 2025 10:28 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Himachal: Residential complex of MLAs and employees of assembly unsafe

Metropole building is among 66 unsafe buildings in Shimla that include Library building on Scandal point, Annadale view building --- HP Assembly speaker’s residence at Chaura Maidan as well as police lines in Kaithu.

This was stated by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the assembly on Friday while urging the speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania not to allot accommodation to MLAs in Metropole. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 29, 2025 05:02 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Cash-strapped Himachal enhances salaries, allowances of MLAs

Despite fiscal challenges, Himachal Pradesh unanimously enhanced the salary and allowances of the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) between 18% and 27%.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu introduced the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill 2025 in the House on the last day of assembly’s budget session under supplementary agenda on Friday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 29, 2025 05:00 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Himachal govt to adopt zero-tolerance policy against drugs: CM Sukhu

Sukhusaid, “The government will take strict action within a month against the Himachal Pradesh government officials and employees found involved in drug smuggling”.

Himachal government officials and employees involved in drug smuggling will be punished within a month. This was stated by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Himachal Pradesh assembly on Thursday while announcing “to adopt zero tolerance policy” against drug abuse in the state. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 28, 2025 05:06 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

BJP protests ‘mafia raj’ under Sukhu-led Congress govt in Himachal

Party rally at Chaura Maidan near Vidhan Sabha throws traffic out of gear, inconveniencing commuters.

(From left) Shrikant Sharma, the BJP state in-charge, leader of opposition and former chief minister Jairam Thakur, Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Rajeev Bindal and party state co-incharge Sanjay Tandon at the protest against state government at Chaura Maidan in Shimla on Thursday. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 27, 2025 12:57 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra

HP govt tables bills to tackle drug menace, organised crime

The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government introduced the Himachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Bill, 2025, that provides higher punishment to government officials involved in the illicit trade and peddlers selling drugs to minors

Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addresses the assembly in Shimla on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 27, 2025 09:28 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Abetment to suicide case: HC denies pre-arrest bail to HPPCL director

Himachal HC says granting relief to application will have an ‘adverse impact’ on staffers’ ability to speak up against their superior

Police sought dismissal of the bail plea, apprehending that Desh Raj ‘may evade investigation if relief is granted’. Police submitted that Desh Raj had not reported to his office and was absconding. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 27, 2025 09:26 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

HP assembly budget session: BJP, Congress spar over mining lease

HP assembly speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, said “The facts that LoP had brought to notice he was referring to the question while CM referred to the discussion on budget. I will see the record of both the subjects and where ever correction is needed that will be done”

Raising the issue under point of order, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, accused Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government of misleading the House by presenting wrong facts. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 05:18 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

HP government to take over two Chamba hydel projects: CM Sukhu

Sukhu reiterated that state government will take back those hydel projects which do not accept the government’s conditions. “World over it is practice that after 40 years project is given back to the state,” said Sukhu

The CM also said that the previous governments of the state had given projects to NHPC forever on the condition of 12% royalty, which is wrong. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 26, 2025 05:04 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

₹600 cr paid for acquiring land for 63.5-km rail line in Himachal

The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur project, has been stuck for over 20 years and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has been targeting Congress government for delaying the project

Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said that no money has been received by the state government from central government for land acquisition. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 09:10 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

HP Assembly budget session: Cong, BJP trade barbs on law & order issue

While presenting the cut motion, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government has left Himachal at the Bhagwan bhrose (mercy of God)

Lashing out at the BJP, chief minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “BJP is demanding a CBI investigation in the case of the death of engineer Vimal Negi for political gains”, (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 09:02 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Plane with Himachal deputy CM, DGP makes emergency landing in Shimla

There were 44 passengers, including Himachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri and DGP Atul Verma, on board the ATR-42 Alliance Air aircraft when it faced a landing glitch at Jubbarhatti tabletop airport. All passengers safe.

The tabletop runway of the Jubbarhatti airport. Pilots struggled to decelerate after touchdown, forcing them to apply emergency brakes at the last moment.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 08:50 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra

2 bike-borne men open fire at dhaba owner in Mandi; flee with cash

Two bike-borne assailants opened fire at a dhaba owner in Mandi district when he stopped them from stealing cash from the counter, police said on Saturday. A special investigation team headed by an additional SP has been constituted to investigate the matter.

Injured Pradeep Guleria, a resident of Dayari, Tilli in Mandi district, told the police that on March 21 at around midnight two people – the rider was wearing a white cap while the pillion rider was in a black helmet -- came on a motorcycle and asked to pack the meal. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 23, 2025 08:14 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

OPS is our commitment, we will implement it: Agnihotri

Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the Congress government has given the gift of OPS to 1.36 lakh employees of the state. He said that after the decision of the state government, 1,17,521 employees have adopted OPS while 1,356 employees are still in NPS.

Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri while replying to a question raised in the House regarding the implementation of old pension scheme (OPS) said, “OPS is our commitment, and we will implement it”. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 23, 2025 07:52 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

4 HRTC buses vandalised in Amritsar, FIR lodged

The row over displaying slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale posters escalated on Saturday with four buses of Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) parked in Amritsar bus stand being damaged and defaced with ‘Khalistan’ slogans by unknown persons.

Anti-Terrorist Front India’s outfit’s chief Viresh Shandilya along with activists pasting pictures of Bharat Mata on Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) buses in Shimla (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 23, 2025 07:48 AM IST

BySurjit Singh/ Shailee Dogra, Amritsar/shimla

Himachal CM Sukhu accuses BJP of fiscal mismanagement

Sukhu, while speaking in the assembly on Friday, said that the BJP government received liberal grants of about ₹68,000 crore from the Centre in form of GST compensation and revenue deficit grants but “instead of repaying the debts and clearing the liabilities, it utilised the funds on freebies”.

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lashed out at the BJP for “fiscal mismanagement and pushing the state into debt trap” while replying to the four days debate on budget. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 22, 2025 05:04 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Himachal assembly budget session: BJP, Congress spar over closure of institutes

The BJP accused the government of closing the institutes motivated by political vendetta, while the Congress accused the BJP of opening the institutes without any planning and thus putting fiscal burden on the state.

The Congress and the BJP sparred over the issue of closing educational institutions in Himachal assembly on Friday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 21, 2025 10:58 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Budget session of Himachal assembly: Death of chief engineer: House witnesses heated exchange, BJP walks out

Heated exchanges were witnessed in the Himachal assembly on Thursday as the BJP demanded CBI investigations into the death of chief engineer cum-general manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Vimal Negi.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressing the assembly during the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha budget session, in Shimla on Thursday. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 20, 2025 10:28 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Govt has completed survey of drug users: CM Sukhu

This was stated by the CM in the assembly while listing out steps taken by the state government to fight drug menace in response to the question raised by BJP MLAs DS Thakur from Dalhoisie, Malendra Rajan from Indora, Kewal Singh Pathania from Shahpur and Vinod Kumar from Nachan assembly constituencies

CM Sukhu accused the previous Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government of failing to implement PIT NDPS Act. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 20, 2025 09:56 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

Bhindranwale poster row: HRTC suspends services on 10 Punjab routes indefinitely

HRTC suspended services on 10 routes to Punjab after vandalism of its buses. CM Sukhu seeks safety assurances from Punjab amid rising tensions.

The suspension of services on 10 routes comes after HRTC buses were targeted by radical Sikh elements following a recent face-off over the display of flags with militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s photo on motorcycles of tourists from Punjab in Manali. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 20, 2025 09:44 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

After buses vandalised, HRTC indefinitely suspends services on 10 routes in Punjab

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls up Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who assures him of safety of buses and strict action against miscreants involved in vandalism.

Amid the controversy that erupted following display of flags carrying slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s pictures on the vehicle of a Punjabi tourist in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali and its removal by local residents, two masked miscreants vandalised a bus of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) on the Kharar flyover in Mohali on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 19, 2025 04:14 PM IST

ByShailee Dogra

Himachal: Brought illegally, 3.43 lakh apple plants destroyed, says minister

Apple, ₹5,000-crore industry spread over six districts, is considered the backbone of the Himachal economy; Theog MLA raised concern of apple growers that plants and rootstock were being imported illegally from Italy and other countries

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 19, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByShailee Dogra, Shimla

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Shailee Dogra

The Himachal Pradesh government in the last two years has closed/ merged 1,201 schools and de-notified 17 colleges

Parliament approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, early on Friday after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following a debate that spanned more than 13 hours

In February 2024, the government declined a no-objection certificate (NOC) to install the six-ft-tall statue of the former CM on the Ridge, leading to Vikramaditya resigning from the state cabinet.

Kangana said she had been ‘moving around’ in Mandi constituency and had distributed Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds

The castle houses a museum depicting Himachal’s arts and crafts like patoos, shawls, gudmas, nagaras, carpets, including figures of devis and devtas in traditional attire

High court quashes re-employment to the post of animal husbandry dept director, says mere because recommendation from an elected representative does not justify the extension

The three victims, Dhinta, Manish and Gulshan, were part of a group of 17 students from Haryana School of Digital Marketing (HSDM), a coaching institute in Hisar, who had come on a trip

The project was sanctioned on a 50:50 cost-sharing between state government and the Union railways ministry

CM Sukhu was apprised during a high-level meeting to review the progress of the survey that no district had so far completed mapping of drug users at panchayat-level, the deadline for which was earlier set at March 15

Metropole building is among 66 unsafe buildings in Shimla that include Library building on Scandal point, Annadale view building --- HP Assembly speaker’s residence at Chaura Maidan as well as police lines in Kaithu.

Despite fiscal challenges, Himachal Pradesh unanimously enhanced the salary and allowances of the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) between 18% and 27%.

Sukhusaid, “The government will take strict action within a month against the Himachal Pradesh government officials and employees found involved in drug smuggling”.

Party rally at Chaura Maidan near Vidhan Sabha throws traffic out of gear, inconveniencing commuters.

The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government introduced the Himachal Pradesh Anti-Drug Bill, 2025, that provides higher punishment to government officials involved in the illicit trade and peddlers selling drugs to minors

Himachal HC says granting relief to application will have an ‘adverse impact’ on staffers’ ability to speak up against their superior

HP assembly speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, said “The facts that LoP had brought to notice he was referring to the question while CM referred to the discussion on budget. I will see the record of both the subjects and where ever correction is needed that will be done”

Sukhu reiterated that state government will take back those hydel projects which do not accept the government’s conditions. “World over it is practice that after 40 years project is given back to the state,” said Sukhu

The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur project, has been stuck for over 20 years and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has been targeting Congress government for delaying the project

While presenting the cut motion, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government has left Himachal at the Bhagwan bhrose (mercy of God)

There were 44 passengers, including Himachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri and DGP Atul Verma, on board the ATR-42 Alliance Air aircraft when it faced a landing glitch at Jubbarhatti tabletop airport. All passengers safe.

Two bike-borne assailants opened fire at a dhaba owner in Mandi district when he stopped them from stealing cash from the counter, police said on Saturday. A special investigation team headed by an additional SP has been constituted to investigate the matter.

Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the Congress government has given the gift of OPS to 1.36 lakh employees of the state. He said that after the decision of the state government, 1,17,521 employees have adopted OPS while 1,356 employees are still in NPS.

The row over displaying slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale posters escalated on Saturday with four buses of Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) parked in Amritsar bus stand being damaged and defaced with ‘Khalistan’ slogans by unknown persons.

The BJP accused the government of closing the institutes motivated by political vendetta, while the Congress accused the BJP of opening the institutes without any planning and thus putting fiscal burden on the state.

Heated exchanges were witnessed in the Himachal assembly on Thursday as the BJP demanded CBI investigations into the death of chief engineer cum-general manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Vimal Negi.

HRTC suspended services on 10 routes to Punjab after vandalism of its buses. CM Sukhu seeks safety assurances from Punjab amid rising tensions.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu calls up Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who assures him of safety of buses and strict action against miscreants involved in vandalism.

Apple, ₹5,000-crore industry spread over six districts, is considered the backbone of the Himachal economy; Theog MLA raised concern of apple growers that plants and rootstock were being imported illegally from Italy and other countries

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