Himachal Pradesh Politics & Governance

Himachal Pradesh shifts pension-case processing to Manav Sampada portal

1 February 2026

Himachal Pradesh shifted pension-case processing to the Manav Sampada portal from 1 February 2026. The Finance Department directed government offices to generate pension papers through the portal; the Accountant General’s office will no longer accept physically prepared or typed papers.

Key Facts

• The portal-based process is intended to make pension cases more transparent and resolve pending cases more promptly.

Temporary committees take charge in Himachal Pradesh panchayats

1 February 2026

After most elected panchayat bodies completed their terms on 31 January, Himachal Pradesh established temporary committees to maintain administrative and development work until elections are held. Block Development Officers chair gram panchayat committees, with Panchayat Secretaries as member-secretaries; the secretaries also issue specified certificates, including character, income and residence certificates.

Key Facts

• Mahatma Gandhi advocated Panchayati Raj as the foundation of India’s political system.

16th Finance Commission makes no RDG recommendation for states

1 February 2026

The 16th Finance Commission did not recommend Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG) for states in its report, which was presented in Parliament on 1 February. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state could face a loss of ₹40,000 crore, an estimate of the impact of the recommendation.

Key Facts

• Constituted every five years, the Finance Commission recommends how taxes should be shared between the Union and states.
• The Commission also recommends grant-in-aid arrangements for urban local bodies and gram panchayats.

Himachal Pradesh begins fourth phase of BPL survey

1 February 2026

Himachal Pradesh began the fourth phase of its Below Poverty Line (BPL) survey on 1 February to identify eligible households for inclusion in the list. The phase opened applications to additional categories, including households whose head has more than 40 per cent disability and those with an earning member permanently bedridden after a spinal injury; applications were due to Panchayat Secretaries by 17 February.

Key Facts

• BPL status identifies economically disadvantaged households for government assistance.
• BPL identification uses parameters that can vary across states and within a state.

Union Budget proposes mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh

1 February 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 announced plans to develop world-class mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh and other hill regions, with an emphasis on eco-friendly, sustainable tourism. State governments are to submit detailed project reports; selected routes will be developed in phases after approval.

Key Facts

• Mountain trails are planned, developed routes for activities such as trekking, hiking, mountain biking, camping and nature walks.

Himachal Pradesh allocated ₹13,949 crore in tax devolution for 2026–27

2 February 2026

Himachal Pradesh was allocated ₹13,949 crore as tax devolution in the Union Budget estimates for 2026–27. The Union Finance Ministry also cited ₹10,243 crore in grants-in-aid for the state in 2025–26.

Key Facts

• UDAN uses viability-gap funding to make regional flight routes financially viable and support connectivity to underserved airports.

Himachal Pradesh launches online homestay registration portal

2 February 2026

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched an online portal for homestay registration in Himachal Pradesh. He directed the Tourism Department not to withhold homestay renewals solely because a fire no-objection certificate was pending, and called for provisional registration for affected hotels; the scheme also includes urban areas and allows homestays of up to six rooms.

Key Facts

• Himachal’s homestay scheme promotes rural tourism and draws visitors to lesser-known destinations.
• The scheme offers term-loan interest subsidies of 3%, 4% and 5% for homestays in urban, rural and tribal areas, respectively.

Land-revenue charge takes effect on 191 Himachal hydropower projects

2 February 2026

A land-revenue charge on 191 hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh took effect on 2 February 2026, following a government notification. The charge is based on project market-value bands, with annual rates reported at 1% to 2%, payable by electricity companies in two instalments.

Gokuldham cattle shelter opens beside the Kiratpur–Manali highway

3 February 2026

The National Highways Authority of India opened Gokuldham, a cattle shelter at Baloh beside the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway in Bilaspur district. Designed for about 100 cattle, it has fodder, drinking water, veterinary services and an ambulance for emergencies, and is intended to care for stray or injured animals and help reduce highway accidents.

Key Facts

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