Himachal Pradesh’s prisons are overcrowded by nearly 30% with 3,355 inmates lodged against a sanctioned capacity of 2,580, the state government informed the legislative assembly on Monday.
The figures were provided by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in a written reply to a question raised by Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, who sought details on prison capacity, inmate classification, medical facilities, NDPS prisoners and proposed expansion of prison infrastructure.
According to the government, the state’s 14 prison facilities currently house 1,113 convicts, 2,203 undertrials and 39 civil or preventive detainees. The data indicates that undertrials account for nearly two-thirds of the total prison population, highlighting the pressure on the state’s correctional infrastructure.
Nahan, Dharamshala and Mandi among most overcrowded
Model Central Jail, Nahan, has 553 inmates against a capacity of 471, while Model Central Jail, Kanda, houses 530 against a capacity of 438.
NDPS convicts barred from open-air jails
Responding to questions concerning prisoners convicted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the government said such convicts cannot be transferred to open air jails under existing provisions.
The government said the Himachal Pradesh Prison Manual, 2021, along with the applicable standard operating procedures, prohibits the transfer of NDPS convicts to Open Air Jails.
The government also informed the assembly that approvals have been given for establishing three additional Drug Testing Laboratories at Nurpur in Kangra, Baddi in Solan and Una. The move is aimed at decentralising drug-testing facilities, which are currently centred around the primary laboratory at Junga.
{{/usCountry}}The government also informed the assembly that approvals have been given for establishing three additional Drug Testing Laboratories at Nurpur in Kangra, Baddi in Solan and Una. The move is aimed at decentralising drug-testing facilities, which are currently centred around the primary laboratory at Junga.
{{/usCountry}}The government said four dedicated medical officer posts are currently filled at Model Central Jail Nahan, Model Central Jail Kanda, District Jail Dharamshala and Open Air Jail Bilaspur.
High-security prison under consideration
On the issue of establishing a dedicated high-security prison in Himachal Pradesh, the government said a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.
‘Over 84k cancer patients sought ayurvedic treatment in state since 2023’
84,162 cancer patients visited government and private Ayurvedic medical colleges and hospitals in the state for treatment from January 2023 up to August 10, 2026.
This was shared by the state government in response to the question of BJP MLA from Nachan Vinod Kumar on August 24, who had sought information on the number of cancer patients in the state and the steps taken by the state government.
According to data from the state’s health institutions, the number of cancer patients has remained almost stable over the past two years. The data provided in the House, in 2023, there were 2,380 patients, in 2024, 2,443 patients; and in 2025, 744 patients were registered.
The state said that taking the seriousness of cancer in the state into consideration, the state government has taken several important steps including the establishment of a State Advisory Board, making cancer case reporting mandatory from February 8, 2024, ensuring the availability of anti-cancer medicines, establishing day-care centres, and setting up a State Cancer Registry/Atlas.
To increase awareness about cancer among women, breast and cervical cancer awareness campaigns have been launched. Screening for breast and cervical cancer among women above 30 years of age, as well as oral cancer screening, is being carried out. In addition, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination for 14–15-year-old girls has been included under the National Immunisation Programme.
Where has ₹1,500cr spl disaster relief package gone: Negi
While responding to a question regarding the natural disaster raised by Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania during the session, revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi launched a scathing attack on the opposition, claiming that the BJP is neither serious about the ₹1,500 crore issue nor showing seriousness regarding the national anthem. Accusing the central government of reneging on its promise, he clarified in the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a special disaster relief package of ₹1,500 crore a year ago, yet the state has not received these funds on the ground to date. Taking the opposition to task, Negi remarked that instead of going to Delhi to raise their voices for Himachal’s due rights, BJP MLAs are attempting to “disrupt the House proceedings by raising slogans”.