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CM Launches e-district portal to mark Digital India Week
SHIML- The Digital India program envisages bringing all basic services directly to the public through the use of Information Technology in this fast changing world said Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh after launching 7 g2c (e-district service from government to citizens) under e-district portal, Aadhar Permanent enrolment center and Digital lockers to members of Vidhan Sabha under the Digital India Programme here today.
Chief Minister said that launching of Digital India Programme was a part of Digital India week launched by Prime Minister of India on Wednesday and today it was launched in the State as a part of larger initiative to empower the people to have access to Information Technology (IT) for better and speedy delivery of services to the people of the State.
The chief Minister said that today we would not have celebrated this week if the last UPA government had not come up with an ambitious National Fibre Optical Network (NOFN) project that provided high speed internet connectivity upto the gram panchayat level.
He said that Himachal Pradesh was one of the leading states in implementing Information Technology in Government sector. The State Government has been endeavouring to bring transparency and accountability through e- Governance in the delivery of services to the people. There has been a constant and sincere effort to introduce same in the entire state since long. As technology keeps changing rapidly with every passing day, I believe that one has to keep pace with it to keep oneself well informed, said the Chief Minister.
He said that all major development works in the State were witnessed during the successive Congress Governments. Though a little has been contributed by others too but maximum development and major achievements took place in the successive Congress regimes.
“The internet has become somewhat like household commodity used by every family and I would like to see the day, when it will be used by everyone, even in the remote corners of the State”, he said.
Chief Minister said that around 1800 offices were connected through HIMSWAN Network. About 2000 Common Service Centers were providing government services to the citizens in almost every corner of the State. It gives me great pleasure to inform that citizens above 18 years of age in the State were having ‘Aadhaar’ Number”, which counts to 96 percent as of now, he said.
I am happy to say that there is a bank account in every home and we have been declared as banking saturated State, he said, adding that these are big achievements for a hilly State like Himachal Pradesh having difficult topographic conditions.
Speaking on the occasion Speaker Vidhan Sabha, B.B.L. Butail said that HP Legislative has a great role to play to ensure participation of people in development process. He said that Digital India week was being celebrated to provide speedy service to the people of the State besides achieving the objective of Digital India.
He said that HP State legislative was the first in the country to adopt e-Vidhan and launch the same on 4th August 2014 and the first legislative assembly to be paperless saving an expenditure of Rs 15 crore per annum.” Our objective is to make all MLAs well equipped with various tools of IT and all the MLA’s were provided internet dongles for surfing”, he said. The teams of other State, Karnataka, Assam, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and other many States were keen to adopt the system and were in continuous touch with us, remarked the Speaker. He said all correspondence and reply by the departments would soon be on-line saving paper and other related material. Training camps would be organised in respective constituencies for e-Vidhan training camps at Sub-division level.
Director IT, Ms. Priyanka Basu welcomed and honoured the Chief minister and Speaker Vidhan Sabha respectively and detailed about the services under e-district mission mode project. She said that 51 services of eleven departments were being brought under Digital Programme. Various services as Birth and death registration, issuance of BPL Certificate, enrolment and registration under MNREGA ,etc. would be digitized.
Special Secretary, IT, Ms. Nandita Gupta proposed vote of thanks.
A detailed presentation of the services to be digitized was also given by officers of IT department of the State. Director IT Vidhan Sabha, Dharmesh K. Sharma also gave presentation on e-Constituency management which will help the members of legislative assembly to know more about the ongoing development works and its status in their respective constituencies on their mobile apps. This will help in better management and monitoring of works, he added.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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