Politics

🗳️ Opposition Accuses State Government of “Selling Himachal” Over Township Project A major political controversy has emerged in Himachal Pradesh, with the Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, strongly criticising the state government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over the approval of a large township development project. The issue has sparked intense debate in political and public circles, particularly because it involves land in the ecologically sensitive Sheetalpur area of Solan district, located close to Chandigarh. According to the opposition, the proposed township project spans around 3,485 bighas of land, making it one of the largest private development projects planned in the region. BJP leaders allege that the project effectively “puts Himachal on sale” by opening environmentally fragile hill land to large private builders and real-estate interests, potentially compromising the state’s natural resources, forest cover, and water systems. The opposition has further claimed that local panchayats were allegedly pressured to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in favour of the project. They argue that such actions undermine grassroots democratic processes and raise serious concerns about transparency, consent, and local governance. BJP leaders have warned that rapid urbanisation in sensitive hill areas could lead to landslides, water shortages, traffic congestion, and long-term ecological damage. Another key concern raised is the possible misuse of public infrastructure and resources—such as roads, electricity, and water supply—for private commercial benefit. The opposition has demanded full disclosure of project approvals, environmental clearances, and financial arrangements, urging the government to place all relevant documents in the public domain. In response, the state government has defended the township proposal, stating that all procedures were followed as per law, and that modern township planning is essential for controlled urban growth, employment generation, and investment attraction. Government representatives have also said that environmental safeguards and regulatory approvals will be strictly enforced. The issue has now become a significant political flashpoint in Shimla, with environmental groups, local residents, and civil society closely watching developments. As debates continue in the state assembly and public forums, the controversy highlights the broader tension between development, environmental protection, and transparency in hill states like Himachal Pradesh.

📚 What Is the ‘Apna Vidyalaya’ Programme? The ‘Apna Vidyalaya – Himachal School Adoption Programme’ is a state government initiative designed to improve the quality of education in government schools by fostering active involvement from senior officials and the community. It’s part of a broader effort to strengthen public education through mentorship, monitoring, and guidance. The scheme falls under the My School-My Pride campaign and aims to: 🧑‍💼 Full-Scale Implementation Push by the CM Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has recently called on senior district-level officers to actively implement the programme throughout Himachal Pradesh. In a virtual meeting with all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and officers, he instructed that a complete and updated list of adopted schools be submitted to the government by January 5, 2026. 📌 Key Directives from the CM ✔ Each DC, Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate must adopt at least four government schools.✔ These officials will act as mentors and patrons, visiting their adopted schools at least once a month.✔ Routine mentorship includes: 🏫 Scale of the Programme So Far As of early January 2026: This shows a wide reach across different education levels, from primary to senior secondary institutions. 🤝 Goals & Expected Outcomes 📈 Improving Education Quality The core idea is to bring hands-on leadership and community involvement into government schools. Adopted schools will benefit from: 👩‍🎓 Student Guidance & Support The programme emphasizes continuous engagement with students, including: 🧑‍🏫 Strengthening Governance Officers are expected to work with School Management Committees and teachers, ensuring that: 🌍 Linking Education with Social Awareness During the meeting, the CM highlighted that school visits should also be used to discuss key social issues with students, including:

✔ Chief Minister’s announcement: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has approved an allocation of ₹50 crore specifically for setting up a speciality trauma centre and associated advanced medical facilities at the Regional Hospital in Solan (Kathed area). This funding is intended to strengthen emergency response and critical care services, particularly for accident victims and other urgent medical cases from Solan and surrounding hill regions. ✔ Hospital infrastructure: ✔ Local impact: 🧠 Inclusive Development Initiatives Alongside Healthcare Apart from the trauma centre, the CM’s announcement also included several other development components tied to education, sustainability and community support: 👩‍🦱 Working Women’s Hostel ✔ A ₹15.33 crore working women’s hostel is being constructed as part of the Centre of Excellence for Education of Divyangjans project in Kandaghat (Solan district). This hostel aims to provide safe residential accommodation for working women, helping boost women’s employment and independence in the region. 🌞 Solar Power Project ✔ A 500 kW solar power installation will be established at the same campus, underlining the government’s push for renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. This is part of broader efforts to make public institutions energy-efficient while reducing operating costs and carbon footprint. 🏟 Sports Ground Development ✔ The CM sanctioned ₹1 crore for the construction of a sports ground in Kandaghat, aimed at providing better recreational and athletic facilities. This supports youth sports and community health by encouraging outdoor activities and local participation in physical fitness. 🏥 Other Health Investments ✔ In addition to Solan Hospital’s trauma centre, ₹5 crore has been allocated to Civil Hospital, Kandaghat for strengthening services there. This indicates a broader strategy to uplift healthcare across the Solan region, not just at one facility. 🎓 Centre of Excellence for Education of Divyangjans (Differently-abled) While announcing the healthcare funding, CM Sukhu also laid the foundation stone for the Centre of Excellence for Education of Divyangjans at Tikri in Kandaghat. This ambitious project — costing around ₹200 crore — aims to: These announcements collectively reflect the state government’s focus on inclusive development — by improving healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, renewable energy adoption and sports infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.