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Read about all ministers of Jairam’s newly formed HP Cabinet
Shimla: Today, the new Cabinet of the Himachal Government was formed. Along with Jairam Thakur, who sworn-in as the Chief Minister, 11 other ministers also assumed their offices. Right after the oath-taking ceremony, Jairam Thakur held first meeting with his cabinet ministers.
As per the analysis of the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) Three ministers are 12th pass, eight are graduates, and one minister is PhD. Five ministers, Anil Sharma, Govind Singh Thakur, Mahender Singh, Kishan Kapoor, and Bikram Singh have criminal cases against them.
The new cabinet has two ministers in the age group of 41 to 50 years, while six are in the age group of 61 to 70 years. Remaining four are in age group of 61 to 70 years.
Let us take a brief look at the new cabinet:
Jairam Thakur
It is obvious that Jairam Thakur is the leader of the council of the ministers. He was born on 6 January 1965 in Tandi village of Murahag panchayat of Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district. His father’s name was Jethu Ram and mother’s name is Briku Devi. Thakur did his primary education from Kurani School and studied in High School Bagsyad near Thunag.
In 1998, he won his election from Chachiot Assembly constituency and has been MLA from Chachiot (which after delimitation was known as Seraj Assembly constituency).
He won for five consecutive terms as an MLA. He remained State BJP President and was Cabinet Minister in previous BJP government. He has also remained as Vice Chairman, State Civil Supplies Corporation. He also remained as President of BJYM. He has declared total assets worth Rs 3.28 crore.
Mahender Singh
- Mahender Singh was born on 22 February 1950.
- He was elected to State Legislative Assembly in February 1990 as an Independent.
- Elected again in 1993 as Congress candidate.
- In 1998 elected on HVC ticket in 2003 as Lok Tantrik Morcha (H.P.) candidate.
- Won in 2007 on BJP ticket.
- He also won 2012 Assembly election as BJP candidate.
- For being elected to the Assembly in five consecutive elections, on five different election symbols has been recommended for entry in the Guinness Book of World Record.
- He remained Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and PWD from March 1998.
- He resigned from the Council of Ministers in December 2004.
- He also remained Chairman, Estimate Committee besides being Member of various other House Committee.
- Total Assets declared Rs 15.38 crore
Kishan Kapoor
- Kishan Kapoor was born on 25 June, 1951.
- Remained Member Bhartiya Jan Sangh and Janata Party before being associated with the BJP.
- Kapoor was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1990 as BJP candidate.
- He was re-elected to the Assembly in 1993 and 1998.
- Elected to State Assembly again in December 2007 and appointed Transport Minister.
- Total Assets declared Rs 7.99 crore
Suresh Bhardwaj
Suresh Bhardwaj was born on 15 March 1952 at Village Bhamnoli, PO Summerkot, Tehsil Rohru, district Shimla
- He had also won the last Assembly election 1n 2012.
- He is a BSc and LLB and remained actively involved in student movement during college days
- He was the National Secretary of ABVP from 1973-74.
- He remained in jail on several occasions, particularly during the emergency.
- He was elected as the Convener, Himachal Pradesh Loktantrik Morcha in 1977
- He was elected President of the Janata Yuva Morcha from 1978-81.
- He was elected as the Himachal Pradesh BJYM National Treasurer in 1987-88.
- He was elected as the President State Bhartiya Janata Party from 2003-2006.
- He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly in 1990 and to Rajya Sabha in 2002.
- He remained Member of various standing Committees of the house as also the Consultative Committee of various ministers.
- Returned to the State Legislative Assembly in December 2007 and appointed Chief Whip of Bhartiya Janata Legislature Party and Chairman, Human Development Committee of the house.
- Total Assets declared Rs 93.53 lakh
Anil Sharma
- Anil Sharma was born on June 30, 1956.
- He is BSc (Diary Technology).
- Sharma was elected to State Legislative Assembly in November 1993
- He remained Minister of State for Youth Services, Sports and Forest from 1993-96
- He remained Member Rajya Sabha, 1998-2004.
- He was elected again to the State Legislative Assembly in December 2007.
- He remained General Secretary Pradesh Congress Committee and Chief Whip, Congress Legislative Party.
- He was elected to State Legislative Assembly in December 2012 and remained Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister.
- Total Assets declared Rs 40.20 crore
Sarveen Chaudhary
- Sarveen Chaudhary was born on 21 January, 1966 at Dharamshala
- She did MA in classical dance and Diploma in Yoga, Painting and Cookery
- She took part in Nehru Yuva Kendra and NSS activities during student life
- She remained an active worker of R.S.S.
- She entered politics in the year 1992
- She remained Mandal Pradhan of BJP Mahila Morcha in 1992 to 1994
- She remained the president of the Bhartiya Janata Party, district Kangra from 1995-97
- She was elected to the State Assembly on BJP ticket in 1998 and remained Parliamentary Secretary from 3 November 1998 to March 2003
- She was elected again to the State Assembly in December 2007 and was appointed Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment
- She again won 2012 Assembly election
- Total Assets declared Rs 4.19 crore
Ram Lal Markanda
- Dr. Ram Lal Markanda was born on 17 October 1966.
- He remained active in State NSUI during 1989-93
- He remained General Secretary H.P. Youth Congress,
- He remained President Himachal Vikas Congress, District Lahaul & Spiti
- He remained Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (Independent charge)
- He remained Minister for State for Animal Husbandry (Independent Charge) and attached with the IPH and Minister for IPH
- He was given additional charge of PWD (attached with the CM) in 2001 and resigned from the Council of Ministers on 3.2.2003.
- Total Assets declared Rs 87 lakh
Vipin Singh Parmar
- Vipin Parmar was born on 15 March 1964.
- He was active worker of Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS)
- He remained organizing secretary State Akhil Vidyarthi Parishad
- He remained the Secretary of All India Akhil Vidyarthi Parishad
- Elected to State Legislative Assembly in 1998
- He was re-elected in December 2007
- Total Assets declared Rs 1.44 crore
Virender Kanwar
- Virender Kanwar was born on 29 January 1964.
- He is BA, LL.B. and Diploma in Pharmacy.
- He remained a member of RSS since childhood
- He remained convener of ABVP, district Hamirpur between 1981-85
- He remained General Secretary and President of BJYM, district Una from 1992-95 and 1995-2000 respectively
- He remained Member of the State Bhartiya Janata Party, Executive during 2003-06
- He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly in 2003.
- He was re-elected in December 2007
- Total Assets declared 3.38 crore
Bikram Singh
- He is the Son of Kishan Chand, and was born on 28 August 1964 at village Jole, Tehsil Jaswan, District. Kangra
- He is a B.Sc., B.Ed
- He was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2003 from Jaswan Assembly segment which has now been renamed as Jaswan-Pragpur after delimitation.
- He remained Vice Chairman of H.P. Khadi & Gramudyog Board during1999-2003
- He remained the President of the State BJYM in 2000, and Vice President State BJP 2008
- He was re-elected to the State Legislative Assembly in December 2012
- Total Assets declared 74 lakh
Govind Singh Thakur
- He is the Son of Kunj Lal Thakur (Ex. Minister)
- He was born on 3 October 1968 at Village Kanyal, Tehsil Manali, District Kullu
- He is a Graduate
Dr. Rajiv Saizal
- Dr Rajiv Saizal was born on 11 July 1971.
- He is a BAMS.
- He remained the General Secretary of Doctors Cell, BJP, district Solan
- He was first elected to the State Legislative Assembly in December in 2007
- He was re-elected in 2012
- Total Assets declared 77 lakh
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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