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Shortage of fuel-wood, DoB correction in Aadhaar, Chamba medical college upgradation: MLAs raise issues, seek action

The issues were raised during Zero Hour of the ongoing Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.

2 min readDharamshalaDec 4, 2025 11:58 AM IST

Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan in Dharamshala (Express Photo)

Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday took cognizance of more than half a dozen issues raised by MLAs about problems faced by people in their respective constituencies and referred those matters to the departments concerned for necessary action.

The issues were raised during Zero Hour of the ongoing Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.

Raising the matter of severe fuel-wood shortage in her constituency, Lahaul & Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana said the region, almost entirely snow-covered and often described as a “snow desert”, has been facing acute hardship due to the unavailability of fuel-wood at government depots. She said the 2025 natural disaster severely affected forest availability and supply chains, leaving residents with no option during the peak winter, and urged the government to ensure immediate supply so that families do not suffer in sub-zero conditions.

Congress Doon MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary highlighted difficulties faced by the people in his constituency while trying to update or correct their date of birth (DoB) in Aadhaar records. He said citizens visiting Common Service Centres (CSCs) are being advised to travel to Chandigarh for corrections, where they again face long delays and procedural issues. He urged the government to streamline the process within the state and ensure that such services are easily accessible to all residents, particularly the elderly.

BJP Jhanduta MLA Jeet Ram Katwal raised the issue of an acute shortage of tehsildars in his constituency. He said the absence of adequate revenue officers has led to delays in essential land-related services, causing inconvenience to the public. He requested immediate filling of vacancies to ensure the smooth functioning of administrative work.

Congress Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar drew attention to the need for upgrading Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital in Chamba. He said the institution requires additional infrastructure, equipment and specialist staff to meet the growing healthcare needs of the district.

Pathania directed the departments concerned to examine each issue and submit appropriate action reports.

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

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