The seventh and final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place on June 1st, with 57 constituencies across eight states and union territories going to the polls. These include all four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, all 13 constituencies in Punjab, and the single constituency in the union territory of Chandigarh.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly neglecting Himachal Pradesh during its time of need, highlighting his failure to visit or provide financial assistance following the devastating 2023 rains. She also criticized the central government’s policies, pointing to the Agniveer scheme as an example of rising inflation and unemployment. The Congress, she promised, would repeal the Agniveer scheme and implement various welfare measures, including a monthly stipend for women and guaranteed minimum support prices for farmers.
Alcohol storage limits vary across northern Indian states, ranging from strict bans in some states to specific limits in others. Delhi residents can store up to 18 liters of alcohol, while Maharashtra requires a license for alcohol consumption and transportation. Haryana sets specific quantities for different types of alcoholic beverages, including IMFL, beer, rum, vodka, and wine. Punjab allows limited quantities of IMFL, beer, foreign liquor, domestic liquor, and brandy. Uttar Pradesh permits storage of 1.5 liters of foreign alcoholic beverages, 2 liters of wine, and 6 liters of beer. Rajasthan allows up to 12 bottles or 9 liters of IMFL, while Jammu and Kashmir permits 12 bottles of IMFL and 12 beer bottles. Himachal Pradesh has a high limit, allowing 48 beer bottles and 36 whisky bottles to be stored at home.
The Election Commission (EC) successfully set up the highest polling station in Maharashtra’s Baramati constituency in Raireshwar, at an altitude of 4,500 feet. While this was initially hailed as the highest polling station, Anand Mahindra reminded viewers that the highest polling station distinction belongs to Tashigang Village in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,256 ft. Still, Mahindra commended the efforts of the polling agents who carried election materials up the iron ladder to ensure that all voters could cast their ballots. In Himachal Pradesh, Tashigang remains the world’s highest polling station, nestled at an astounding 15,256 feet and servicing two villages with a total of 48 voters.
The Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU) has released the admit cards for the Himachal Pradesh Common Entrance Test (HPCET) 2024. Scheduled for May 10th, HPCET is the gateway to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, pharmacy, computer applications, business administration, and computer applications in participating institutes across the state.
Unseasonable snowfall has blanketed the picturesque hill stations of Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, India, prompting concerns about climate change. While some revel in the beauty of the snowfall, others express worry as it is an unusual occurrence for this time of year. The snowfall, brought by a western disturbance, has led to road closures and traffic disruptions, but is expected to subside from April 30th. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert and predicts further hailstorms in the coming days, keeping temperatures low. The snowfall has been observed in higher altitudes including Shimla, Chamba, Sirmaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur, with Koksar and Hansa experiencing significant accumulation. The western disturbance has also brought rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms to the region.
The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) is expected to announce the results of the Class 12 Board Exams 2024 soon. As per media reports, the results are likely to be released by April 30th, 2024. However, the official date and time for the announcement are yet to be confirmed by the board. Candidates are advised to check the official website of HPBOSE (hpbose.org) regularly for updates.
The Congress party is expected to finalize its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly by-elections in Himachal Pradesh during a meeting of its Central Election Committee on Thursday. The meeting, which will be attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, and state unit president Pratibha Singh, will decide on the candidates for the two remaining Lok Sabha seats in Kangra and Hamirpur, as well as six assembly constituencies where by-elections are scheduled. The Congress is likely to face competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has already announced its candidates for all four Lok Sabha seats and six assembly constituencies.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has opened the Leh-Manali highway, restoring road connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. The highway remained closed for five months due to heavy snowfall during winter. The snow clearance operation was executed by 111 RCC/753 BRTF under Project Himank in Ladakh and 70 RCC/38 BRTF under Project Deepak in Himachal Pradesh. The teams worked in challenging conditions, battling snow storms and treacherous weather conditions to clear the national highway and negotiate four important passes. The highway was declared open for traffic on Tuesday after a golden handshake ceremony at Sarchu on the inter-project boundary.
