Premium

CM Sukhu’s Cabinet clears path for panchayat polls in Himachal Pradesh before April 30

Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act and the conduct of local body elections were not interlinked.

2 min readShimlaUpdated: Jan 19, 2026 05:49 PM IST

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a Cabinet meeting on January 19. (Source: Express Archives)

The Himachal Pradesh government Monday decided to hold elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) before April 30, the deadline set by the Himachal Pradesh High Court. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said, “Although the issue of PRI elections, including those of gram panchayats and other local bodies, was not part of the official agenda, it was discussed at length as an additional matter. The chief minister informed the Cabinet that elections to local bodies would be conducted in compliance with the high court’s order directing the state to hold the polls before April 30.”

Responding to queries regarding Chief Minister Sukhu’s earlier remarks about the need to “study” the high court decision, Chauhan said this did not imply that the verdict would be challenged. He added that Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh was present at the meeting and briefed the chief minister on the ground situation.

When asked about the withdrawal of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which is currently in force in Himachal Pradesh, Chauhan said the Act would be lifted once conditions on the ground improve. He, however, clarified that the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act and the conduct of local body elections were not interlinked. Chauhan informed that at least 58 agendas were passed in the Cabinet meeting.

On January 9, the Himachal Pradesh High Court rejected the state government’s plea seeking a six-month deferment of the Panchayati Raj elections. The court directed the government to conduct elections to the PRIs and urban local bodies before April 30, 2026.

While disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Mandeep Chandel challenging the postponement of the polls, a Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma also directed the State Election Commission (SEC) and the state government to complete the entire election process by February 28.

The state government had earlier urged the SEC to put the election process on hold, citing extensive damage to public and private property and roads, and stating that the Disaster Management Act remained in force in the state.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...