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Shimla MC Faces Backlash Over Poor Service Delivery and Arbitrariness in Charging Fees
Shimla-The irregularities in the haphazard operation of Shimla Municipal Corporation’s door-to-door garbage collection facility and arbitrariness in fees charged for it are facing criticism not only from the residents but also from opposition parties.
On top of it, SMC is facing another threat – a possible strike of Shimla Environment, Heritage Conservation and Beautification (SEHB) Society over their demands. As per reports, SEHB Society is running in loss and bills of garbage collection fee worth six crores are still pending with government offices, hospitals, educational institutes etc. The workers of the society are demanding hiked salary with arrears since April month of this year.
They yesterday met the MC Commissioner and gave him a deadline of seven days to fulfil their demands. Otherwise, the Society said, it will go on a strike from September 6. If the workers went on a strike, the entire garbage collection service would be stalled.
On Tuesday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the irregularities in the functioning of garbage collection facility and hike in fees for it. The way SMC is trying to extort higher fees for this facility, it appears that the Corporation is only concerned about its fee and not about the betterment of services, said Sanjay Chauhan, former Mayor of Shimla and District Secretary of the party.
He said this fee can be levied only on those houses where the corporation has provided garbage collection facility. Therefore, it is neither logical nor justified to charge fees from the houses which are not given this facility, he said. The residents of the town are already paying taxes for drinking water supply, sanitation, street lights, roads, parks etc.
The sanitation services of the SMC are in tatters. The corporation isn’t able to collect and transport daily garbage timely, and heaps of garbage could be seen in several parts of the city for days, he said.
Some of BJP’s own councillors have raised questions over the poor condition of sanitation services. Further, Chauhan said that in some area of the MC Wards, garbage is not removed and transported for months. The functioning of the SMC can be assessed from the fact that it has not been able to collect fees form several Wards, including those falling in the markets, for several months and for over a year in some cases.
He said the public is facing the brunt of this failure on the part of the Corporation. He further added that the waste treatment plant, which was supposed to treat waste and generate electricity, is still not operational.
Now, the SMC has announced that bills of garbage collection fee would be paid online. On the other hand, the Corporation had made payment of water bills online in 2016 but the residents have not been given bills since last one and half year. In cases where the bills were given, the charges are not levied on the basis of meter reading. Rather, the citizens were handed over hefty bills in an arbitrary manner, which has put an additional financial burden on the residents., Chauhan said.
He alleged that the main reason for such irregularities and arbitrariness is the privatization of water supply to the city. With the privatization of water supply services, the Corporation has started to privatize other services too. Under the pressure from the state government, the MC has also decided to make an annual hike of 10 percent in garbage collection fees, which is against the interests of the residents. Moreover, the MC is planning to hike the property tax too.
There are no signs of betterment in the services offered by the Corporation but the charges for these services are being hiked. CPI(M) has condemned putting financial burdens on residents without ensuring the proper delivery of services. CPI(M) has asked the government to withdraw such anti-people policies. Otherwise, the party warned, a mass movement would be launched against the government.
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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