News / Author / Gaurav Bisht

Gaurav Bisht

Gaurav Bisht heads Hindustan Times’ Himachal bureau. He covers politics in the hill state and other issues concerning the masses.

Articles by Gaurav Bisht

Himachal governor, state government spar over delay in appointment of V-Cs

Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla refuted agriculture minsiter Chander Kumar’s statement over V-Cs’ appointments

Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 28, 2024 09:32 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Tomatoes deliver juicy returns for Himachal’s Balh Valley growers

Himachal’s Balh valley fetches higher prices at this time since the tomato season in Punjab nears its end in June

Tomato is cultivated in about 1,200 hectares of land in Balh valley between Sundernagar and Mandi, Himachal. (Birbal Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 26, 2024 08:50 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Kullu tops tourist charts in Himachal

Nearly 15 lakh tourists visited the Kullu district till May, with many heading beyond into the higher ranges of Lahaul and Spiti and even visiting Leh during the summer

Of the 74 lakh tourists visiting Himachal till May, 32,415 were foreigners. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 25, 2024 08:56 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal seeks ₹9,042 crore disaster relief, funds for border areas during finance commission meet

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the finance commission to provide liberal finance assistance to the state for its contributions to the nation

Himachal CM informed the finance commission that the Centre was yet to released <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>9,042 crore needed for last year’s disaster relief. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 25, 2024 08:54 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

22 made-in-Himachal drug samples fail quality test

The central drug control organisation had drawn samples from across the country in May. It found that 52 samples did not meet the standards, of which 22 were manufactured in Himachal. The state drug controlling authorities have asked the erring industries to call back the stocks of failed samples from the market.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has once again exposed a grave lapse in pharmaceutical quality control. As many as 22 medicines manufactured in Himachal have failed to meet established quality standards. (Shutterstock/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 23, 2024 06:40 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal assembly bypolls: BJP candidate Thakur files nomination from Nalagarh

Former chief minister Jairam Thakur, former Union minister Anurag Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, Lok Sabha member Suresh Kashyap and Rajya Sabha member Sikander Kumar were present at the nomination filing.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate KL Thakur on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the Nalagarh assembly byelections slated for July 10. He will face Congress’ Hardeep Singh Bawa. Former Independent legislator and now BJP candidate, Thakur has been a two-time MLA from Nalagarh. He won in 2012 on the BJP ticket and in 2022 as an Independent. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 21, 2024 06:36 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Prolonged heatwave fuels water crisis in Himachal

The persistent high daytime temperatures have significantly depleted perennial water sources across the state. Yesterday, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu convened a state cabinet meeting to review the worsening water crisis. The discussion centered on finding solutions for Shimla and the low-lying plains also suffering from the intense heat.

People standing in a queue to fill water near Totu, Shimla, on Wednesday. (Deepak Sansta/ HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 05:04 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal assembly bypolls: Cong candidate Hardeep Bawa files nomination from Nalagarh

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, PCC president Pratibha Singh, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, health minister Dhani Ram Shandil and education minister Rohit Thakur were present on the occasion when Congress candidate Hardeep Singh Bawa filed his nomination papers for the Nalagarh seat.

On the fifth day of filing nominations for the Himachal assembly bypolls to be held on July 10, Congress candidate Hardeep Singh Bawa filed his nomination papers for the for Nalagarh seat on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 05:00 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal’s scenic passes turn summer hotspots for tourists

Manali and Lahaul-Spiti districts in Himachal Pradesh see a surge in tourism post-Atal Tunnel opening, leading to full hotel occupancy and environmental concerns.

A whopping 74,918 vehicles have crossed the Atal Tunnel in just one week. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Tourist influx brings business boom to Shimla

Concerns over traffic congestion, water supply remain as more than five lakh tourist vehicles entered the capital in last two weeks

Tourists taking a stroll on The Ridge, Shimla. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 16, 2024 06:36 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Sukvinder Sukhu in Delhi to discuss Himachal bypoll picks as BJP names candidates

BJP declared the candidates for the three Himachal bypoll seats, fielding the three independents whose resignation had necessitate the elections

Himachal CM Sukvinder Singh Sukhu (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 15, 2024 05:02 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Ever-expanding Ghepan Ghat glacial lake poses flash flood threat

Long-term satellite imagery covering the Ghepan Ghat glacier in Himachal sets off a warning for glacial lake outburst flood. Satellite imageries reveal that the lake that was formed due to the melting of the Ghepan Ghat glacier in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district has expanded majorly in the last 25 years.

The ever-expanding glacial lake due to global warming in the Himalayan ranges is posing a grave threat of flash floods downstream the river basins in Himachal Pradesh. (File Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Jun 13, 2024 10:41 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Six newly elected MLAs take oath in Himachal

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, ministers and members of the Vidhan Sabha attended the oath ceremony held at the Vidhan Sabha library

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 05:36 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal: BJP draws up fresh strategy, may field former Independents in bypolls

Former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over the meeting at Himachal Pradesh-run Circuit House –The Wily’s Park

BJP also discussed about the recent bypolls where they fielded all six Congress rebels but were able to grab only two seats--Dharamshala and Barsar. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 12, 2024 07:08 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

JP Nadda returns to Modi cabinet; Anurag dropped

As Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the third time, the ceremony also witnessed the swearing-in of 72 ministers of the NDA government, including Jagat Prakash Nadda.

BJP leader JP Nadda takes oath as the Cabinet Minister during the swearing-in ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 10, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala:

No respite in sight from raging forest fires in Himachal

The fire season in the hill state starts from April 15 to June 30. A prolonged dry spell coupled with soaring daytime temperatures has seemingly stretched the fire season. Himachal recorded 17.7% rain deficit in May while it increased to 45% in June.

With no respite in sight, 137 new forest fire incidents have been reported in the last four days in Himachal Pradesh, further exacerbating the environmental crisis. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 09, 2024 06:18 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Lok Sabha wipeout dampens Congress’ Himachal assembly bypolls win

Silver lining for Himachal Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, but party’s failure to secure leads in more than seven of 68 assembly segments raises questions

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chairs a meeting with the cabinet ministers in Shimla. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Published on Jun 06, 2024 02:38 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Sukhu secures govt, Cong wins four seats in Himachal bypolls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clean sweep of the four Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha seats notwithstanding, the ruling Congress in the Himalayan state found four reasons to cheer on Tuesday after it managed to win four of the six assembly seats in the hotly contested bypolls

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu saves government. (ANI)

India News

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 09:00 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

BJP sweeps two hill states of Himachal and Uttarakhand

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the two hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Tuesday with some retaining their seats and other candidates who registered win for the first time

BJP candidate from Shimla constituency Suresh Kashyap celebrates with party workers as he leads during counting of votes for Lok Sabha elections in Shimla on Tuesday. (PTI)

India News

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 08:54 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Neeraj Santoshi, Shimla/dehradun

4-2: Sukhu stays afloat as Congress rebels sink in Himachal assembly bypolls

Congress tally increases from the existing 34 to 38, well over the halfway mark of 35 in the 68-member assembly

Supporters celebrating Congress’ win in the assembly bypolls at the CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s official residence, the Oak Over, Shimla, on Tuesday. (Deepak Sansta/ht)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 07:52 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal stays saffron as BJP scores hat-trick

Anurag Thakur wins for the fifth time, Kangana edges Vikramaditya in battle of Lok Sabha poll debutants

BJP’s Anurag Thakur being greeted by supporters after winning the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat for a fifth time on Tuesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 07:40 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Day before Himachal bypolls verdict, speaker accepts independent MLAs’resignation

The decision ended their membership in the Vidhan Sabha with immediate effect, bringing the 68-member assembly’s strength down to 59 as six Congress rebels had earlier been disqualified for defying a party whip

Himachal assembly speaker with the three independent MLAs. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 04, 2024 08:44 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal: 3 Independent MLAs’ resignations accepted

The speaker accepted the resignations of 3 Independent MLAs, who along with 6 rebel Congress MLAs, voted for BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls held in Feb

The three Independent MLAs with speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on March 22. (ANI)

India News

Updated on Jun 04, 2024 04:21 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Post-Elections: Himachal starts witnessing surge in tourist footfall

Post-election surge boosts tourist influx in Himachal Pradesh. Nearly 13,000 vehicles entered the state from interstate borders in Parwanoo in the last three days.

The hospitality sector, rejuvenated by this post-election surge, anticipates a significant boost in income in the coming weeks. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 03, 2024 05:32 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal: Congress exudes confidence despite surveys predicting a clean sweep for BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party’s vote share increased to 70% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from 42.18% in 2014

The rebellion in the party which almost brought the Congress government on the brink on February 27 had dented the chief minister’s image. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 03, 2024 05:26 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Mountains and glaciers no barriers for Tashigang and Bara-Bhangal voters

Voters at world's highest polling station in Tashigang and remote Bara-Bhangal post 80% and 85% turnout for Lok Sabha polls despite rough terrain.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 02, 2024 12:14 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala

Mountains and glaciers no barriers for Tashigang and Bara-Bhangal voters

Tashigang and Bara-Bhangal are the world’s highest and one of Himachal’s most remote polling booth respectively

Voters being welcomed at the polling booth in Tashigang, Himachal. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Jun 02, 2024 12:07 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala

Early birds come out in droves as Himachal logs 70% voter turnout

Second-best turnout for Himachal after 2019 Lok Sabha polls’ record 80.1% voting ; Mandi leads with 72% turnout

Voters headed to the polling booth in Tashigang, Himachal. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Jun 02, 2024 11:59 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal votes today, fate of 62 candidates to be sealed

Besides the 4 Lok Sabha seats, bypolls to six assembly seats are also taking place today; the six assembly seats had fallen vacant following the disqualification of Congress rebels for defying a party whip to vote in favour of the government during the budget

Poll officials with EVMs on the eve of the polling, in Shimla on Friday. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 01, 2024 05:16 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

World’s highest booth Tashigang gets model polling station tag

Voters at polling station, which had recorded 100% turnout in 2019, had earlier threatened a boycott

Located close to the China border, both Tashigang and Giu polling booths have been declared sensitive centres and separate security arrangements have been put in place. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 31, 2024 11:50 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

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Gaurav Bisht

Gaurav Bisht heads Hindustan Times’ Himachal bureau. He covers politics in the hill state and other issues concerning the masses.

Himachal governor Shiv Pratap Shukla refuted agriculture minsiter Chander Kumar’s statement over V-Cs’ appointments

Himachal’s Balh valley fetches higher prices at this time since the tomato season in Punjab nears its end in June

Nearly 15 lakh tourists visited the Kullu district till May, with many heading beyond into the higher ranges of Lahaul and Spiti and even visiting Leh during the summer

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the finance commission to provide liberal finance assistance to the state for its contributions to the nation

Former chief minister Jairam Thakur, former Union minister Anurag Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, Lok Sabha member Suresh Kashyap and Rajya Sabha member Sikander Kumar were present at the nomination filing.

Manali and Lahaul-Spiti districts in Himachal Pradesh see a surge in tourism post-Atal Tunnel opening, leading to full hotel occupancy and environmental concerns.

Concerns over traffic congestion, water supply remain as more than five lakh tourist vehicles entered the capital in last two weeks

BJP declared the candidates for the three Himachal bypoll seats, fielding the three independents whose resignation had necessitate the elections

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, ministers and members of the Vidhan Sabha attended the oath ceremony held at the Vidhan Sabha library

Former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over the meeting at Himachal Pradesh-run Circuit House –The Wily’s Park

As Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the third time, the ceremony also witnessed the swearing-in of 72 ministers of the NDA government, including Jagat Prakash Nadda.

The fire season in the hill state starts from April 15 to June 30. A prolonged dry spell coupled with soaring daytime temperatures has seemingly stretched the fire season. Himachal recorded 17.7% rain deficit in May while it increased to 45% in June.

Silver lining for Himachal Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, but party’s failure to secure leads in more than seven of 68 assembly segments raises questions

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clean sweep of the four Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha seats notwithstanding, the ruling Congress in the Himalayan state found four reasons to cheer on Tuesday after it managed to win four of the six assembly seats in the hotly contested bypolls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the two hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Tuesday with some retaining their seats and other candidates who registered win for the first time

Congress tally increases from the existing 34 to 38, well over the halfway mark of 35 in the 68-member assembly

Anurag Thakur wins for the fifth time, Kangana edges Vikramaditya in battle of Lok Sabha poll debutants

The decision ended their membership in the Vidhan Sabha with immediate effect, bringing the 68-member assembly’s strength down to 59 as six Congress rebels had earlier been disqualified for defying a party whip

The speaker accepted the resignations of 3 Independent MLAs, who along with 6 rebel Congress MLAs, voted for BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls held in Feb

Post-election surge boosts tourist influx in Himachal Pradesh. Nearly 13,000 vehicles entered the state from interstate borders in Parwanoo in the last three days.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s vote share increased to 70% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from 42.18% in 2014

Voters at world's highest polling station in Tashigang and remote Bara-Bhangal post 80% and 85% turnout for Lok Sabha polls despite rough terrain.

Tashigang and Bara-Bhangal are the world’s highest and one of Himachal’s most remote polling booth respectively

Second-best turnout for Himachal after 2019 Lok Sabha polls’ record 80.1% voting ; Mandi leads with 72% turnout

Besides the 4 Lok Sabha seats, bypolls to six assembly seats are also taking place today; the six assembly seats had fallen vacant following the disqualification of Congress rebels for defying a party whip to vote in favour of the government during the budget

Voters at polling station, which had recorded 100% turnout in 2019, had earlier threatened a boycott

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