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Why was HP Transport Minister’s Wife Using Govt Vehicle for Shopping, Parlour Visits: Public and Opposition Ask
Shimla- The alleged misuse of a government vehicle by the wife of the Transport Minister of Himachal Pradesh Govind Thakur has become a topic of debate in the state.
Political leaders, as well as, the public is raising the issue and asking as to why the wife of Govind Thakur was using government vehicle to go to a beauty parlour and for shopping in Chandigarh.
Targeting Centre government’s promotion of cashless India, questions are also being raised as to why she was carrying cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh. It was also alleged case has belied the promises of the ruling BJP to end the VIP culture.
The matter came into limelight after Rajani Thakur, wife of the HP Transport Minister, filed an FIR complaining that a thieve stole a bag containing Rs 2.5 lakh cash and valuable jewellery from her car in Chandigarh on October 7, 2019. In her complaint, she said that she was inside a saloon in Sector 8 while the car (HP 66 0001) was parked outside for about five hours. The driver was waiting for her return.
Meanwhile, a man approached the driver and told him that some money is lying outside the vehicle and that he had probably dropped it. When the driver got out of the car to collect the money, the man opened the other door of the car and made off with a bag and jewellery.
An FIR was filed at the police station in Sector 3 under Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police had obtained CCTV footage and was investigating the case.
Meanwhile, it came into light that the car number given in the complaint was registered in the name of Managing Director, HRTC. The Minister’s wife was in Chandigarh for two days, media reports said.
Questions are being raised as to why the wife of the Minister was allowed to use a government vehicle – a newly bought Innova CRYSTA – for the purpose of touring Chandigarh for her private business.
HRTC is running in loss and the state government is under huge debt but still, the Minister of the ruling government is allegedly misusing public money.
RTI activist Devashish Bhattacharya posted the Registration Certificate of the vehicle and asked under what provision the MD, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), let the Minister’s wife use the vehicle for personal use.
इस कार का इस्तेमाल हिमाचल प्रदेश के परिवहन मंत्री की पत्नी द्वारा किया गया था, जहाँ से चंडीगढ़ में कथित तौर पर 2.5 लाख…
Dev Ashish Bhattacharya द्वारा इस दिन पोस्ट की गई मंगलवार, 8 अक्तूबर 2019
The Minister of opposition, Mukesh Agnihotri, on October 9 took a jibe at PM Modi’s cashless India campaign. He said while Modi is asking the people to go cashless and use credit/debit cards for payment, the families of his party leaders were carrying cash.
Congress MLA from Dalhousie, Asha Kumari, also opened a front against the state government and questioned as to why a government vehicle was standing outside a beauty parlour in Chandigarh. She also questioned whether entries were made in the log-book regarding the use of this vehicle or not. She demanded an inquiry into the case.
Congress MLA from Una, Satpal Raijada, targeted the current BJP government over misuse of the government machinery. He demanded a clarification from the government regarding the purpose of allowing a government vehicle for personal use by the wife of a minister in the ruling government. He also demanded an inquiry into the matter.
So far, no clarification was given by either the Transport Minister or the HRTC.
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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