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Retention policy for illegal buildings in towns, Legislative laws for black money holders, but no mercy on poor farmers
Himachal Pradesh Government’s eviction drive to remove people from encroached forest land is turning out to be an inhuman decision forced on poor farmers with a couple of Bigha and few Biswas in many cases. The government has introduced retention policy to regularize illegal construction in urban regions, but is showing no mercy on marginal farmers or small-scale apple growers who had dared to encroach a couple of bighas decades ago.
The violators and encroachers in towns are given chance to defend, and even legalize their illegally built structures by paying a nominal fee. However, the farmers are not given even a chance to defend themselves.
As per sources, two third of Himachal’s geographical area is under Forest Department and over 68.3 per cent of the farmers have less than a hectare of land. Private land for large-scale farming is scarce, which suggests that it is natural that the horticultural operations would spill over the forest land. Moreover, the government including forest revenue and forest department knew it very well that farming was being carried out on forest. Now, the government declared war on people whom they first encouraged to farm on forest land.
The attitude of government and the way it is conducting eviction is highly suggestible that the commercial buildings built illegally in towns are OK, but apple trees grown on forest land by villagers as their livelihood are not.
Senior leader of CPI(M) Rakesh Singh wrote to the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Devvrat, requesting intervention to prevent demolition of homes of poor, small-scale farmers by the Forest Department under the garb of High Court orders. Himachal Watcher found it worth publishing with little editing as the there are lot of legal and logical arguments in it.
Mr. Rakesh Singh Pleaded that:
Himachal’s Small Farmers Living in Panic of Loosing Shelter
Reports are pouring from different parts of the state i.e. Banjaar, Prini, Naggar, Jagatsukh, Manali, Ani, Nitthar Arsu, Nirmand, Nankhari, Kotkhai, Rohru, Chirgaon, Jubbal, Nerwa, Deha, Chaupal, Theog, Dhar Kandharu, Sharmala etc. where notices have been served on the farmers to vacate their residential houses in which they and their families have been residing since generation.
These notices are being served upon them under the provision of the Himachal Pradesh Public Premises Act 1971. Ninety percent of these farmers belong to poor families owning less than three Bhighas of land in some cases only a few Biswas. They have been terrified because prior to these orders their apple trees were cut without giving them sufficient opportunity to defend themselves. Now, now orders have been made to vacate their homes. They have been ordered to carry out the dismantling of their homes themselves under verbal threats. They are warned that in case they did follow the orders heavy rent penalties along with imprisonment would be imposed on them for continuing to occupy their homes.
Highly Insensitive, Inhuman Step by Forest Deptt.
This step of the Forest Department is not only barbaric, inhuman but an action which amounts to declaring war on the poor. It is nothing but victimizing the Dalits, Widows, Handicapped and other distressed people of the society for no fault of theirs. There are also reports where widow of Army Martyrs are not being spared.
Did their husband lay down their lives in defence of the nation to one day witness the demolition of their homes which even the enemies do not dare to do so?
The government is very busy but, it is a request that Govt. must find time to address the problems of this category of the farmers. They are very much the citizens of this country. People are well aware the government has permitted the non-citizens to reside and carry-out their livelihood then why are the farmers being pushed to a situation where they will be forced to commit suicide?
Even Black Money Holders Being Provided Relief by legislating laws, then why not farmers?
All this is being done under the garb of court orders which are being twisted and being interpreted against the interest of the farmers with the intention to evict the poor and finish the livelihood of his family. The government does not realize that law cannot be interpreted and enforced mechanically. Government is not enforcing law but breaking the backbone of the farmers. Remember when backbone of farmers is broken it will not only lead to a serious Agrarian Crisis but with the loss of his livelihood fields will be prepared to sow the seeds of insurgency. The Government knows very well that even those with black money in this country are being provided relief by legislating laws but the poor farmers who produce food for the country are being treated like enemies. The political bosses will only be doing disservice to the state if such barbaric actions are not stopped forthwith.
Chief Minister should convene a special meeting of the cabinet to address the issues of eviction of the farmers.
Questions HP Govt. Should Answer before Eviction
Before the evictions are carried out, the cabinet must answer the under stated question and also must provide explanation to the people who have elected this democratically elected government.
1. Is it not correct the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha by Act No. 15 of 2000 amended the Himachal Pradesh land Revenue Act 1953 by inserting section 163-A on 17th April 2000 by a voice vote which was subsequently published in the Rajya Patra (Extraordinary) on dated 29-05-2000?
2.That based upon this amendment the farmers of the state were asked to apply for regularization of encroached land on an affidavit along with revenue stamps amounting to Rs. 50 (which was deposited in the Himachal Pradesh Treasury) for which the last date was 15th August 2002. Vide this notification of the government One Lakh Sixty Seven Thousands Three Hundred and Thirty Nine (1, 67,339) farmers applied for the regularization of their encroached land. If this is a fact then why are the farmers being victimized for no fault of theirs?
3.That the cabinet must explain to the people whether section 163-A of the Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act 1953 has been struck down by any court of law and if yes then the date on which it has been done so.
4.That when the farmers were asked by a government notification to apply for regularization of their land under the provision of Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act 1953 then any evictions if any are also to be carried out by the provisions of the same act. The cabinet must explain to the people as to why evictions are being carried out without giving any opportunity to the farmers to defend their cases and are being evicted by summary orders under the Himachal Pradesh Public Premises Act 1971 and in many cases evictions have been done without making eviction orders.
5.That why is the government not respecting the interim order passed by the Hon’ble High Court in CWP No. 1028 of 2002 and CMP 1645 of 2002 made by Justice Kamlesh Sharma and Justice Kuldeep Chand Sood dated 19-08-2002 which reads as “In the fact and circumstances on record, it is ordered that the proceeding for regularization of encroachments on government lands may go on, but PATTAS will not be issued under the impugned rules till further orders.” There are also similar orders made by Justice Shishak CJ and Justice AK Goyal on July 30, 2002 in CWP No. 1028 of 2002 and also orders made by Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta and Justice R.L. Khurana in relation to amendment to Land Revenue Act by inserting section 163-A on September 2, 2004.
Till a special meeting of the cabinet is convened the demolition of the residences of the farmers must be stopped and directions of the Himachal High Court be sought on the implications of the interim orders passed by the court from time to time as quoted above.
Photo: Representational Purpose Only
Shimla—A quiet but worrying crisis is unfolding in Himachal Pradesh. Across several districts, traders, hoteliers, and restaurant owners are reporting a sharp shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, leaving many establishments with barely a few days’ supply. In a state where tourism drives the local economy, disruptions in cooking fuel supply can quickly escalate into a wider economic concern.
Local reports indicate the shortage is already affecting hospitality businesses. Traders in Shimla have warned that commercial gas stocks may last only a couple of days if fresh deliveries do not arrive soon, according to a report by Amar Ujala. Restaurant owners have echoed similar concerns in Solan and nearby tourist towns, where businesses fear that kitchens may soon struggle to operate without regular supplies, as reported by Dainik Jagran.
At first glance, the shortage appears to be a regional supply bottleneck. In reality, the problem is tied to wider disruptions in global energy markets triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Tourism economy vulnerable to fuel disruption
Himachal Pradesh’s tourism sector relies heavily on thousands of small and medium establishments—restaurants, cafés, dhabas, and hotels. Unlike large metropolitan areas where piped natural gas networks are expanding, most commercial kitchens in the hill state still depend almost entirely on LPG cylinders.
This dependence makes the sector particularly vulnerable. Even short supply disruptions can force restaurants to reduce operations, limit menus, or temporarily shut down.
Industry bodies across India have already sounded the alarm. Restaurant operators have warned that continued supply disruptions could lead to closures across the sector. For a tourism-driven state like Himachal Pradesh, such disruptions can ripple through the wider economy.
The global trigger: instability in West Asia
The roots of the crisis lie thousands of kilometers away. The conflict involving the United States and Iran has begun affecting energy markets and shipping routes in the Gulf region.
A key concern is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors through which a large share of global oil and LPG shipments pass. India’s dependence on this route is substantial. Energy analysts estimate that a majority of India’s LPG imports originate from Gulf countries and move through this narrow maritime passage, as noted in a report by The New Indian Express.
Any instability in the region immediately affects supply chains. Shipping risks rise, insurance premiums increase, and cargo movement slows. These pressures eventually filter down to domestic markets.
Recent reports have also linked rising LPG prices and supply concerns to the Middle East crisis, with consumers expressing worry about the impact of the conflict on cooking gas costs, according to ANI News.
Domestic prioritisation, commercial shortage
When supplies tighten, governments typically prioritise household consumption. Domestic LPG cylinders are considered essential for daily cooking, and maintaining their availability becomes a policy priority.
However, this often leaves commercial users facing reduced allocations. Restaurants and hotels depend almost entirely on commercial cylinders, which are distributed through a separate supply channel.
In response to the emerging supply concerns, the government has reportedly taken steps to ensure adequate domestic availability of LPG, including directing refiners to increase production and manage distribution more closely, as reported by The Economic Times.
While such measures protect households, they can intensify shortages for commercial establishments.
Geography amplifies the problem
Himachal Pradesh faces additional logistical challenges. LPG cylinders used in the state are largely transported from bottling plants located outside its borders. Moving these supplies across mountainous terrain involves long supply chains and limited transport routes.
When upstream deliveries slow down—whether at ports, refineries, or bottling plants—the impact reaches hill towns more quickly and more sharply.
At the same time, alternatives remain limited. Large-scale piped gas networks are rare in the state, and many commercial kitchens lack the electrical capacity required for high-energy cooking equipment.
A warning for energy resilience
The emerging LPG shortage in Himachal Pradesh is more than a temporary supply issue. It highlights a deeper vulnerability in India’s energy system—heavy dependence on imported fuel and fragile supply chains exposed to geopolitical shocks.
For a café owner in Shimla or a hotel operator in Manali, the geopolitics of West Asia may seem distant. Yet the current situation demonstrates how closely global energy flows are tied to local economies.
A disruption in the Persian Gulf can slow tanker shipments, delay fuel supplies at Indian ports, disrupt distribution networks—and ultimately affect the availability of cooking gas in a Himalayan kitchen.
As the situation evolves, the hope in Himachal Pradesh is that supply lines stabilise quickly. But the episode offers a clear lesson: in an interconnected world, even the quiet kitchens of the mountains are not insulated from global conflict.
Mandi|July 11, 2025 — In the lap of the Himalayas, nestled among deodar forests and flowing streams, the district of Mandi has long stood as a symbol of Himachal’s tranquil beauty. But in the monsoon of 2025, that tranquillity was shattered — not by nature alone, but by a deadly combination of climate extremes, administrative apathy, and long-ignored warnings.
This year’s monsoon came not as a nurturing rain, but as a devastating deluge. What began in late June as a forecasted spell of heavy rainfall turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent memory for Himachal Pradesh. And no place bore the brunt quite like Mandi.
The Collapse of Safety
Between June 20 and July 10, the state witnessed 91 rain-related deaths, out of which 17 occurred in Mandi district alone, making it the hardest-hit region according to the State Disaster Management Authority. More than 750 homes were completely destroyed, and another 880 partially damaged, while 10 bridges, multiple roads, and entire stretches of power and water infrastructure were washed away. In just 21 days, the estimated damage statewide crossed ₹750 crore.
The primary culprits? Landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods — many of which occurred in the dead of night, catching villagers off guard.
In Siyathi village, 67 lives were saved not by sirens or warning systems, but by a dog’s bark. A resident, Narendra, told media:
“It was midnight. We were sleeping. Suddenly the dog began barking non-stop. We ran out. Within minutes, the entire hillside collapsed and our homes were buried.”
The dog, unnamed but hailed as a hero, became a symbol of what worked in a place where institutional response did not.
A Night of Heroes in Deji Village
In nearby Deji, two college students — Ronid Pundir and Sahil Thakur — from Thunag Horticulture College became real-life saviours. When a sudden cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the dead of night, the duo ran from house to house, waking families and helping them escape. Their actions helped evacuate over 150 people.
“We didn’t think twice. We just saw the water rising and started pulling people out,” Ronid told the media.
Despite such moments of courage, the tragedy left deep scars. In many parts of Seraj, Karsog, and Sundernagar subdivisions, residents reported that local authorities failed to respond in time. Emergency shelters were ill-equipped. In remote hamlets, stranded families waited hours, sometimes days, for rescue.
A Failure of Planning, Not Just Weather
Himachal’s vulnerability to extreme weather is well known. Yet critics argue that poor land use planning, unregulated construction near rivers, and unsafe road-cutting practices have greatly magnified the disaster’s impact.
Geologists and environmentalists have warned for years that road expansion projects and large-scale deforestation in hill regions have weakened slope stability. In many places, construction has occurred dangerously close to water channels, despite repeated advisories.
This time, the warnings played out in real-time — with mud, stone, and entire homes tumbling into ravines.
Government Response: Promises and Limitations
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the worst-affected villages, including Baga, Syanj, and Panglyur, personally distributing relief materials and speaking with the victims.
“No family should feel alone. The state stands with you,” he said during a relief camp visit.
The state government announced ₹7 lakh in compensation per fully destroyed house, and temporary shelters for displaced families. In contrast, the central government’s compensation — capped at ₹1.3 lakh — has drawn criticism from state ministers and the public alike.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi remarked:
“What we’re getting from the Centre is insufficient. Our people are suffering. We need stronger, faster support.”
A Glimpse into the Future
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this disaster is that it may be only the beginning. Scientists warn that climate change is accelerating the frequency and intensity of such events in the Himalayas. Increased temperatures are destabilizing glaciers. Erratic rainfall patterns are overwhelming natural drainage systems.
Experts now call for a complete reassessment of infrastructure policy in Himachal — including bans on construction near rivers, better slope-stabilization in road projects, and improved early warning systems for landslides and flash floods.
“What’s happening is not natural anymore,” said a climate scientist from IIT Mandi. “It’s a man-made disaster wrapped in nature’s disguise.”
Beyond Numbers: The Lives Left Behind
In the hills of Mandi, statistics cannot capture the grief. Each day, as clouds gather, a quiet anxiety grips the village once more.
Shimla– In times of conflict, journalism must rise to its noblest purpose: truth, accountability, and responsibility. And yet, as India and Pakistan faced off once again across borders—bullets flying, lives lost, families shattered—a section of the Indian media turned tragedy into theatre.
From the moment reports of cross-border attacks surfaced, several primetime news anchors transformed their studios into shrill war rooms. Not to inform, but to inflame. Graphic war music, animated explosions, ticker tapes screaming “BREAKING”—the spectacle began. As soldiers bled on the border, TV screens bled hyperbole.
The most damning criticism did not come from adversaries but from global media observers. The BBC described Indian news channels’ coverage as “jingoistic and unhinged”. Al Jazeera and The Guardian echoed similar sentiments, noting how unverified reports, doctored videos, and belligerent studio debates replaced sober reportage.
Anchors, who had never seen a trench or a frontline, banged desks demanding military action. Unconfirmed reports were aired without attribution. Words like “annihilation,” “revenge,” and “surgical strike 2.0” were thrown around with theatrical bravado. There was no time to pause for facts. There was no room for nuance. There was only TRP.
The absurdity reached its peak when a few channels aired animations of fighter jets with triumphant music. Meanwhile, real families were burying their dead – soldiers and civilians alike.
In this chaos, journalism died a quiet death.
Media as Vultures
The metaphor is tragically apt. These channels, masquerading as patriots, behaved like vultures—circling the battlefield, feeding off the dead for ratings. Their hunger wasn’t for truth, but for viewership. They amplified hatred, dismissed dissent, and turned war into primetime entertainment.
And in doing so, they embarrassed India, not just at home but before the world.
The Cost of Sensationalism
When media loses its spine, democracy loses its mirror. The consequence is not just embarrassment—it’s danger. Misinformation in wartime can escalate conflict, trigger communal unrest, and mislead policymakers. A responsible media can cool tensions. An irresponsible one can fan the flames.
We must ask: Where is the human cost of war—the widows, the orphans, the destroyed homes? Where is the perspective from peace-builders, historians, and diplomats? Journalism is not supposed to echo government talking points—it is supposed to hold power to account, especially in wartime.
What Needs to Change
The Press Council of India, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), and civil society must take stronger action against media outlets that violate ethical standards. Viewers too must switch off noise in favor of news. The Indian media must remember that its loyalty is to truth—not to war, not to government, and certainly not to TRP.
War is not a spectacle. Soldiers are not content. And journalism is not war-mongering.
It is time Indian newsrooms return to their core duty: informing citizens with accuracy, dignity, and humanity.
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