Himachal Govt invites suggestions for budget 2025-26

Shimla: The state government has started the process of formulation of the state budget for the financial year 2025-26. In order to make the budget more people-centric, participative and reflective of the views of various stakeholders in society, the government has invited suggestions from the general public, industries, trade and farmers associations on the budget. A spokesperson of the state government said that the suggestions could be sent by e-mail at budgetidea.hp@gmail.com  or by letter to the Principal Secretary (Finance) in his room No: A-319, Armsdale building, HP Secretariat, Shimla by 31st January, 2025. Suggestions can also be sent on the web portal of the finance department. The suggestions can be provided on increasing revenue receipt, expenditure control and other related matters for the budget. It will promote transparency, responsiveness and a participatory approach in budget preparation.

HERC announces public hearing to discuss new electricity tariff

Chandigarh: The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has announced a public hearing to discuss new electricity tariffs and projected revenue requirements for power companies in the upcoming fiscal. The hearing is set for January 15, next year, at the HERC headquarters in Panchkula. HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma will preside over the hearing, along with member Mukesh Garg, to hear arguments from stakeholders. The primary goal of the public hearing is to ensure transparency and a fair decision-making process regarding proposed revisions to electricity tariffs. This hearing provides stakeholders, including consumers, with an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions on the petitions filed by the power utilities. The commission strives to balance the financial needs of power companies with the interests of electricity consumers, promoting dialogue and ensuring that decisions are made justly and equitably. The public hearing will address petitions submitted by Haryana's key power utilities, including Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam.

Punjab Minister directs to release Rs. 28 Crore for Pregnant women and Lactating Mothers

Chandigarh: Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur on Wednesday issued orders to immediately release Rs. 28 crore to about 70,000 beneficiaries to ensure the nutrition and good health of pregnant women and lactating mothers. In a statement, she mentioned that, during October 2024, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 22 crore has been transferred directly into the accounts of 65478 women beneficiaries under Matru Vandana Yojana scheme. This assistance was provided for the birth of the first child and the birth of a girl child as the second child. The Minister stated that the Government provides Rs 5,000 in two installments (3000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child. Additionally, Rs 6,000 is granted on the birth of a second child if it is a girl. This financial assistance is provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers, subject to specific conditions. The primary objective of this scheme is to offer partial compensation to women to enhance their health before and after childbirth. She said the scheme aims to improve the declining sex ratio at birth of girls in the state.

Gaushalas in Haryana now to get Five-Fold increase in grant for Cattle Fodder

Chandigarh: The Gaushalas in Haryana will now get a five-fold increase in the grant for fodder to Rs. 20 per cow per day, besides this, an amount of Rs. 25 per day will be given for Nandi and Rs. 10 per day for calves as fodder subsidy. A spokesperson said that for this initiative, a budget of Rs. 211 crore has been earmarked.  The spokesperson said that the government aim is to create awareness among people to ensure that cows and other cattle are not abandoned on the streets but are instead sent to the nearby gaushala for their care.

Punjab governor gives call for mass campaign to create drug-free state

Ludhiana: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has called upon the people to launch a mass campaign to rid the state of the menace of drugs. At a meeting with people from various faiths and heads of educational institutions at the Punjab Agricultural University here, Kataria said Punjab is the land of great gurus and martyrs who made immense sacrifices for the nation.
"Therefore, it is our duty to contribute to the fight against drugs and restore Punjab's pristine glory by carrying out a mass awareness drive against narcotics," Kataria said, according to an official statement. Soliciting everyone's support and involvement in the anti-drug campaign, the governor said a 10-day walkathon will be organised to spread the message of eradicating drugs to every household in January. The governor also emphasised that women have to play a significant role in this mission by guiding their children towards the morally right path, as he gave a clarion call to the people of Punjab to actively join the anti-drug movement and said the fight against drugs cannot be limited to government efforts alone.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly goes digital as part of NeVA project

Dharamshala: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly was connected to the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) on Wednesday, the first day of the Winter Session that commenced at the Tapovan Complex near here. The website for Assembly proceedings -- hpvidhansabha.nic.in -- has also been moved to NeVA, a transformative project under the Centre's Digital India initiative aimed at paperless and digital state legislative process. Launching the application in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the Himachal Pradesh Assembly was the first adopt the e-Vidhan model on August 4, 2014, when Virbhadra Singh was the chief minister and BBL Butail was the speaker. Pathania also said that now anybody can see live proceedings of the Vidhan Sabha from anywhere. The digital project has been sanctioned for Tapovan Assembly, while a detailed project report for the Shimla Assembly complex has been sent to the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Sukhu said.