Gaurav Bisht heads Hindustan Times’ Himachal bureau. He covers politics in the hill state and other issues concerning the masses.
Articles by Gaurav Bisht
One year in power: Sukhu-led Congress govt in HP fights financial challenges
Implementing old pension scheme (OPS) and real-time relief to the flood-affected population were the highlights of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s first year in office.
Published on Dec 11, 2023 03:55 PM IST
Kangra airport expansion faces setback as feasibility report rejected
The report, which estimated the project cost at over ₹10,000 crores, was found to have numerous flaws, prompting the department to request a re-evaluation
Published on Dec 09, 2023 10:45 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal govt urges governor to allow farming in districts bordering China
To counter China’s bid to develop its border areas, the Himachal Pradesh government has sought permission from the governor under the Forest Conversation Act (FCA) for starting agricultural activities in Kalpa and Pooh sub divisions.
Published on Dec 06, 2023 04:21 PM IST
Snowfall boosts disaster-hit tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh
From Shimla to Kullu-Manali, Dalhousie to Kinnaur, the phone lines of tourist places in Himachal Pradesh are buzzing with inquiries
Published on Dec 03, 2023 10:34 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal crypto scam: Probe finds funds came back to India through hawala network
The first chargesheet in the case, that has been submitted to the prosecution department for sanction, names Hemraj, Sukhdev and Abhishek as the main accused
Updated on Nov 30, 2023 06:10 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal govt unlocks temples’ treasure trove
The Himachal Pradesh government has revamped rules governing the use of precious metals stored in temples under its control, unlocking over 600 kg of gold and 235 quintals of silver.
Updated on Nov 29, 2023 05:20 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Probe into Himachal staff selection paper leak case in final stage
Examination results for 22 of the 38 cases in the paper leak investigation at the state forensic lab in Junga have been completed and reports have been despatched. Sixteen cases are under “active investigation” at the Mandi laboratory.
Published on Nov 27, 2023 03:35 PM IST
Drug regulator flags quality issues, shoots off notices to 19 firms in HP
Twenty four medicines from 19 Himachal-based industries fail to meet standards; tainted drugs are used for critical health conditions, including fungal infections, cancer, type 2 diabetes, bacterial infections
Updated on Nov 22, 2023 05:00 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
3 months on, Himachal mulls lifting ban on mining in Beas river
Decision likely to be taken during the cabinet meeting scheduled for November 18; government had banned mining activities in August after unprecedented floods
Updated on Nov 16, 2023 06:52 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Japanese tech set to transform trout fish farming in Himachal
Through the use of Japanese tach, fish production is expected to increase fourfold while conserving water and space
Updated on Nov 12, 2023 05:30 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
In a green push, govt officials in HP to get electric vehicles
The state finance department has asked all the departments concerned to submit a list of required vehicles in order to prepare a budget
Updated on Nov 11, 2023 05:02 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal cryptocurrency scam: Meerut engineer made website, was trained in Dubai
Police said that the engineer, who is now believed to be one of the masterminds of the scam, also made several trips to Dubai and was trained there
Updated on Nov 07, 2023 05:22 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
ED probing role of five women in Himachal crypto-currency fraud
Police suspect women, one of who is from Punjab’s Zirakpur town, may have worked as agents of absconding prime accused
Published on Nov 03, 2023 05:09 PM IST
Warm winters, haphazard rain bite into Himachal’s apple production
Apple needs about 200-300 chilling hours before the flowering stage. But due to lack of snow, especially in low-altitude areas of Himachal, chilling hours were not completed. In the month of February when the crop needed a good snow, the state experienced a drought-like situation. Unusually warm winters and a haphazard rain pattern have brought down Himachal’s apple production this year.
Updated on Nov 03, 2023 07:24 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
After flood fury, HP seeks ₹2,500 crore for channelisation of rivers
These include a total of 11 projects covering 5,929 hectares of land and benefitting an estimated population of 1,79,572 in seven districts
Updated on Nov 02, 2023 06:32 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Low visitor count in festive season leaves HP tourism industry in a fix
Hotel occupancy, which climbed to nearly 90% in June, plummeted to less than 20% during the festive season, dealing a big blow to the tourism industry
Updated on Oct 31, 2023 11:30 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal govt halts BJP’s flagship natural farming scheme
Acharya Devvrat, the then governor of Himachal, who is now the governor of Gujarat, was the driving force behind Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana
Updated on Oct 31, 2023 05:40 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Centre turns off tap on Himachal’s water cess plan to generate revenue
Union energy ministry’s letter reiterates that additional charges and duties cannot be imposed on electricity production as such fee on power generation falls outside the purview of the states.
Updated on Oct 30, 2023 02:04 PM IST
Timings of special Kalka-Shimla train hassle passengers
The Himalayan Queen toy train on the Kalka-Shimla track has been halted for 2 months, with the special train set to replace it for the period
Published on Oct 21, 2023 10:16 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Zila parishad staffers continue ‘pen-down’ strike in Himachal
Rural development minister Anirudh Singh asserted that the principle of “no work, no pay” will continue to apply until they return to work
Updated on Oct 21, 2023 05:26 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
20 IAS, 10 IPS officers from Himachal to go on election duty
The Election Commission of India has summoned these officers with deployment dates staggered over the next three to four days
Updated on Oct 21, 2023 05:16 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
How thousands of investors in Himachal lost crores of rupees in crypto scam
As the SIT constituted by the state police dug deeper, the scam is estimated to be worth ₹2,000 crore. The SIT is now seeking help from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the ministry of finance and income tax department to ascertain the trail of financial transactions and the assets accumulated by the accused. It also is trying to get help from other agencies like SEBI and RBI.
Updated on Oct 20, 2023 08:18 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
ED seeks info of 21 suspects in cryptocurrency fraud case from Mandi police
As the investigation progressed, police officials said that the scale of the fraud could potentially reach ₹1,000 crore
Updated on Oct 18, 2023 07:00 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Amid festivities, HRTC staffers await September salaries
According to reports, the biggest transport provider in Himachal Pradesh has accumulated losses of over ₹1,500 crore
Published on Oct 16, 2023 10:36 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Kiratpur-Manali project deadline pushed by two years
Heavy monsoon rains and resultant landslides had severely damaged 20km stretch of the four-lane project
Updated on Oct 15, 2023 05:02 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal govt to raise ₹1,000-crore loan ahead of Diwali
According to the schedule, the Reserve Bank of India is set to raise ₹1,000 crore through an open auction on October 17 with the funds expected to be transferred to the state government’s account on October 18
Published on Oct 13, 2023 10:32 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Himachal crypto fraud: SIT likely to release names of police personnel linked to scam soon
Sources said that the special investigation team (SIT) that is probing the fraud may release a list of officers linked to the case in the near future
Updated on Oct 13, 2023 06:58 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Stalemate prevails as SJVNL, HP govt talks on concessions fail
The meeting took place in Delhi and was attended by state government officials, including energy secretary Rajeev Sharma and director of energy Hari Kesh Meena
Updated on Oct 11, 2023 05:10 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Now, Punjab taxi operators up in arms against HP entry tax
The state government has now made it mandatory for the tourist buses to pay between ₹3,000 and ₹6,000 for 13 to 32 seaters vehicles, irrespective of them having an all-India permit or not
Published on Oct 09, 2023 10:46 PM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
Speed of trains on Kalka-Shimla track to go up, trials on
Currently, trains on this iconic route chug along at a leisurely 22 km/hour, but this is about to change, with the speed expected to cross 25 km/hour, cutting the travel time by 45 minutes to one hour
Updated on Oct 08, 2023 07:32 AM IST
Gaurav Bisht, Shimla
