The Himachal Daily

Resident Pahari

20 February 2026, Friday
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Big Picture

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu has warned that free trade agreements, particularly with the US, will negatively impact apple and horticulture growers in the state and J&K.
A political conflict has intensified over central funding, with the ruling Congress condemning the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) while the BJP highlights increased aid under the Modi government.
To generate more revenue, the state government has significantly increased entry taxes and toll fees for vehicles, with new rates effective from April 1.
The state is implementing education reforms by merging approximately 40 separate boys' and girls' schools into co-educational institutions.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed by the state DGP to probe alleged illegal benami land deals near Gaggal airport.
Festivities are ongoing across the region, including the Mandi Shivratri festival and the commencement of Losar, the Tibetan New Year.
A state cabinet sub-committee is framing new lottery rules and introducing e-auctions for excise units to enhance transparency.
The state is undertaking a major horticulture development project worth Rs 4.5 crore in the Una district.
Police in Shimla have detained a repeat drug trafficking accused under the PIT NDPS Act, signalling a crackdown on narcotics.
Construction of the Talland-IGMC tunnel in Shimla is set to begin following government approval of the survey report.

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Headlines

Himachal CM Warns Trade Deals May Harm Apple Growers

India-US trade deal will hit apple, dry fruit growers in J&K, Himachal: CM Sukhu - Daily Excelsior
Himachal CM slams FTAs in Srinagar, warns of crisis for apple growers in Himachal, J&K | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times
Himachal CM Sukhu slams FTAs, warns of crisis for state, J&K growers - Tribune India

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In Srinagar, Himachal CM Sukhu warns India-US trade deal to hit apple growers in J&K, HP - The Economic Times
Himachal CM Warns Trade Deals May Harm Apple Growers - The News Mill
In Kashmir, Himachal CM Highlights India-US Deal 'Negative Impact' On Horticulture - ETV Bharat

BJP Highlights Increased Central Aid to Himachal

Himachal received five times more assistance under Modi govt: Jai Ram | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times

Himachal minister calls for accelerated reforms to strengthen education | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times

Political Row Over Himachal's Revenue Grant

Palampur ex-MLA urges CM Sukhu to approach PM over grant cut - Tribune India
BJP won’t back Congress on grant, says Himachal LoP Jai Ram - Tribune India
BJP slams Sukhu, accuses him of misleading public over Himachal’s debt crisis - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

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BJP rattle as its real stand on revenue deficit grant stands exposed: Himachal ministers - ThePrint
Himachal Deputy CM Urges PM Modi on Revenue Deficit Grant - The News Mill
Himachal CM Sukhu Criticizes BJP for Rejecting Revenue Grant - The News Mill
Himachal Assembly Disruption as CM Sukhu Defends Grant Resolution - The News Mill
Uproar in Himachal Assembly as CM Sukhu defends government resolution on revenue deficit grant - ANI News

Relief, rehabilitation, development priorities: Kullu DC - Tribune India

Talland-IGMC tunnel construction to begin after govt approves ongoing survey report - Tribune India

AI rapidly reshaping governance models: BJP’s Shrey Awasthi - Tribune India

BJP launches Maha-Prashikshan workshop in Nahan for Shimla constituency - Tribune India

Mumbai filmmakers capture spirit of Fagli fest through child’s eyes - Tribune India

Himachal Pradesh Increases Toll and Vehicle Entry Fees

Himachal raises entry tax, cars to now pay Rs 170 - The Times of India
Himachal Pradesh eyes toll reforms to raise revenue; Mukesh Agnihotri seeks PM backing - The Economic Times
Himachal Pradesh Increases Tolls and Entry Fees to Boost Revenue - The News Mill

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HP notifies new toll tax policy, up to 12-seater vehicles to now pay Rs 130 - The Indian Express
Travelling To Himachal? Govt Raises Entry Toll Tax By 250%, Check New Rates Here - News18
Himachal Pradesh to increase vehicle entry fees from April 1 - The New Indian Express

Minerva institute felicitates JEE Mains achievers - Tribune India

All India Sainik School Alumni body established; national conclave on April 4 - Tribune India

Artists transform public walls as Mandi celebrates 500 years - Tribune India

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh attends 3rd cultural night of Mandi Shivratri festival - Tribune India

Baghat bank to shut 3 loss-making branches - Tribune India

Jaleb procession adds spiritual grandeur to Mandi Shivratri - Tribune India

Political Row Over Himachal's Revenue Deficit Grant Cut

RDG row: Congress hits back, says BJP’s double speak stands exposed - Tribune India
Politics over RDG continues in Himachal: Thakur says govt ‘diverting attention’ to hide its failures, Cong says BJP acting against state’s interests - The Indian Express
We seek PM Modi's intervention to restore RDG to Himachal: Dy CM Mukesh Agnihotri ahead of Delhi meet - ANI News

Himachal DGP forms SIT to probe benami land deals near Gaggal airport - Tribune India

Himachal gets 40 co-ed schools after merger - Tribune India
38 Boys’ and Girls’ Schools Merged into Co-Ed Institutions in Himachal, CBSE Curriculum from New Session - The News Himachal
Himachal merges boys and girls schools into co-ed across state - Tribune India

15th bail rejection for Digital Vision owner - Tribune India
15th bail rejection for Digital Vision owner in psychotropic drug scam - Tribune India

SC deadline sets clock ticking for ward delimitation - Tribune India

Naib Tehsildar, 8 staff members on leave for Jaisalmer trip - Tribune India

Himachal Cabinet sub-panel to frame new lottery rules ahead of April rollout - Tribune India

Hamirpur (Himachal) News: सिटी में आज - Amar Ujala

Growing stray cattle count on Palampur roads a threat to safety of commuters - Tribune India

Man, wife killed in bike-tractor collision in Sirmaur district - Tribune India

Train services on Pathankot-Jogindernagar line may resume after track inspection - Tribune India

10 arrested for gambling at hotel in McLeodganj - Tribune India

Two held under NDPS Act in Shimla district - Tribune India
Preventive detention under the PIT NDPS Act: Shimla police detain repeat drug trafficking accused for 3 Months - ANI News

Jawali-Pathankot HRTC bus service suspended, commuters harried - Tribune India

Nepal resident found murdered in Shimla district - Tribune India
Nepal national found murdered near Pabbar river in Shimlas Rohru - Tribune India
Shimla: Nepal-origin man found murdered on Pabbar river bank - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Newly merged area of Una Municipal Corporation sans waste management facilities - Tribune India

Preparations begin for SIR exercise in Himachal - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Sentinels Of Indian Postal Department Battle Harsh Winters To Deliver Services In Remote Corners Of Himachal Pradesh - ETV Bharat

Taleru Winter Lake Festival to Celebrate Local Culture from February 20–22 - The Newz Radar

HPBoSE releases important notice regarding exam: Check details here - The Times of India

Educational Tour to Govt. ITI Nurpur: Hands-on Learning for Physics Students - The Newz Radar

State to De-Notify 39 Zero-Enrolment Schools, Merge Low-Strength Colleges - The News Himachal

Himachal faces new scam where fraudsters use fake apps to dupe users. Heres how - Tribune India

Rs 4.5 Cr will be spent for integrated horticulture development in Himachal’s Una: Govt - ThePrint

Tibetan new year marked with traditional rituals & prayers - Tribune India

20,137 vehicles challaned, Rs 3.5 crore fine collected in Sirmaur - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Proclaimed offender arrested by Hamirpur police - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Himachal Budget session set to resume on March 18 - Tribune India

From IIT Mandi to Japan: 25-year-old techie shares salary and how he landed the job - The Economic Times

Sukhu signals rethink on area development allocations of MLAs - Tribune India
MLA fund release under review amid fiscal strain: Sukhu - Tribune India

Wrestling competition concludes at Baijnath Shivratri Festival - UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Poll for HP’s Rajya Sabha seat on March 16 - Times of India

Higher reaches of HP receive fresh snowfall - Times of India

NGT issues notices to state, 2 of Butai family over twin hydro projects in Kullu’s Parvati Valley - Times of India
NGT issues notice on plea challenging Rs 11.76 lakh environmental compensation in Himachal - Daily Excelsior

Rs 12.60 cr AMRUT 2.0 project sanctioned for Basohli town: Javed Rana - Daily Excelsior

HP apple growers await payments worth over Rs 6 cr - Times of India

HP assembly passes resolution against RDG discontinuation - Times of India

19-yr-old youth found dead at stone crusher in Paonta Sahib - Tribune India

Kullu Rotarian appointed club’s assistant governor for Himachal zone - Tribune India

Tibetan community welcomes US appointment of special coordinator - Tribune India

Man held for abusive post against Himachal CM, wife - Tribune India

Dalai Lama’s youngest brother passes away at 80 in Dharamsala - Tribune India

Dharamsala college student’s death: Court raps police over ‘slipshod’ probe - Tribune India

Purchase fertilizer, seeds only from authorised vendors, farmers advised - Tribune India

Man kills wife, dies by suicide in Chamba village - Tribune India