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

Priyanka Gandhi pays obeisance at Jakhu temple, winds up Himachal campaign in Solan

Priyanka Gandhi had reached Shimla on May 26 and embarked on a tour of all four parliamentary segments — Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, and Shimla

Priyanka Gandhi and daughter Miraya after paying obeisance at Shimla’s Jakhu temple. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 31, 2024 11:48 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Over to voters as star-studded campaigning ends in Himachal

A total 57,11,969 voters to seal the fate of the 37 candidates in fray for Himachal’s four Lok Sabha seats

A polling team leaving for their designated booth in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Published on May 31, 2024 11:45 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Forest fires resurface in the hills amid dry spell, soaring mercury

In the last 7 days, Himachal Pradesh has reported 1,343 forest fires, followed by 540 in Uttarakhand and 452 in J&K, according to Forest Survey of India data.

Smoke billows during a forest fire in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand on Wednesday. (PTI)

India News

Updated on May 31, 2024 04:26 AM IST

ByNeeraj Santoshi, Gaurav Bisht, Dehradun/shimla/jammu

Will give women ₹10,000 per month in Himachal, says Priyanka Gandhi

Priyanka Gandhi says women from underprivileged families will get ₹8,000 per month under central and ₹1,500 under state scheme; bats for changing import duty on apple

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and Mandi Lok Sabha candidate Vikramaditya Singh during an election rally in Kullu, Himachal. (Aqil Khan /HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 30, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal’s hills face brunt of summer heat

Double whammy for Himachal’s hill stations as water level dips amid rush of tourists looking to escape heats

Firefighters enjoying ice cream during a break in Shimla, Himachal. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 28, 2024 05:18 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Tried to ‘steal’ power instead of helping after Himachal’s monsoon disaster: Rahul Gandhi hits out at Modi

Rahul Gandhi says Centres waived off loans worth ₹16 lakh crore for 22 individuals over the last decade, but failed to give ₹9,000 cr for disaster relief

Congress’ state unit president Pratibha Singh, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, senior party leader Rahul Gandhi and party’s Shimla Lok Sabha candidate Vinod Sultanpuri during the election rally in Nahan, Himachal. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 27, 2024 01:10 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala

Forgotten fires claim 627 hectares of forest land in Himachal

The figure for forest land destroyed in Himachal 2024-25 till May has already neared the 2023-24 tally

A total of 627 incidents of forest fires have been recorded in Himachal since April. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 27, 2024 01:07 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

If nation remains silent, it will ensure dictatorship in future: Kharge at Himachal rally

“If the nation remains silent, it will ensure dictatorship in the future,“ Kharge said while addressing a public meeting in Rohru in the Shimla parliamentary seat in Himachal. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accompanied him.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday appealed to the voters to break their silence in the Lok Sabha election’s last phase. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 26, 2024 06:16 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

PM Modi targets Congress, calls Sukhu govt ‘talabaaz sarkar’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh a “talabaaz sarkar” for shutting down the staff selection commission and several offices set up by the BJP government that preceded it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the supporters during a public meeting supporting BJP candidate from Mandi seat Kangana Ranaut for the Lok Sabha elections, in Mandi on Friday. (Birbal Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 25, 2024 05:14 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/ Mandi

Tourists throng Himachal hill stations to beat the heat

Tourists particularly from the northern Indian plains are visiting the hill stations in Himachal to seek relief from the sweltering heat. The tourist rush has increased in the state capital Shimla and its surrounding regions, while the influx is high in the other popular hill stations

With campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections reaching crescendo, tourists particularly from the northern Indian plains are visiting the hill stations to seek relief from the sweltering heat. The tourist rush has increased in the state capital Shimla and its surrounding regions, while the influx is high in the other popular hill stations. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 25, 2024 05:02 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

As election campaign nearing end, political bigwigs descend on Himachal

With only less than a week left for campaigning to end for the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections, all political bigwigs have started making a beeline for the hill state to boost the prospect of their party candidates where the canvassing so far has remained a low-key affair revolving around local leaders.

Prime Minister Narendar Modi waves to supporters during ‘Vijay Sankalp Rally’ at Nahan, for the Lok Sabha elections, in Sirmaur district, on Friday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 25, 2024 05:00 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Modi calls Himachal’s Sukhu-led Congress govt ‘taalabaaz sarkar’

Takes on Congress for shutting down staff selection commission and offices set up by predecessor BJP govt in state besides prioritising vendetta over public welfare

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed during the Vijay Sankalp Rally at Nahan in Sirmaur district on Friday. Modi was campaigning for Shimla BJP candidate Suresh Kashyap. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on May 24, 2024 05:07 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht

Heatwave-hit Shimla to start rationing water

Shimla faces acute water shortages, resorting to rationing due to depleting water levels. Water supply reduced to 5 days a week, impacting residents and tourists.

Water is rationed every summer after Shimla faced a crisis in 2018 and went without water for 10 days. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 24, 2024 01:23 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

BJP’s Harsh Mahajan seeks more time to reply in court for plea challenging Himachal Rajya Sabha election

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi filed a petition in the high court challenging the interpretation of drawing of lots rules by the election officer following a tie in the Himachal Rajya Sabha election

BJP’s Rajya Sabha member from Himachal Harsh Mahajan. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on May 24, 2024 01:20 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Take action against Kangana Ranaut over poll code violation, Himachal election department tells Mandi DC

Action sought against Kangana Ranaut for her earlier public announcement on meeting the medical expenses of the girl who suffered multiple injuries after a youth attacked her with a sharp weapon in Palampur, Hiamchal

Former Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur and BJP’s Mandi Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut during an election rally. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 23, 2024 09:40 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

The Silent Orchards: Himachal’s apple belt missing the poll din

Voter disillusionment in segments falling under the Shimla Lok Sabha constituency being attributed to persisting issues like poor condition of lateral roads, unemployment added with recent Crop failures

Of the 17 assembly segments comprising the Shimla Lok Sabha seat, six fall under the apple-growing belt. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 21, 2024 09:08 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Kotkhai/rohru

Himachal: Kangana faces public ire in Spiti, BJP blames Congress

During campaign in remote district, Mandi BJP candidate shown black flags; former CM Jairam Thakur cries foul, says Congress rally was allowed at same venue, leading to tension

Mandi BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut addressing a party rally at Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district on Monday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 21, 2024 09:04 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Dharamshala/shimla

Cycle expedition to reach Tashigang today to motivate voters

Reported 100% turnout, 52 voters have threatened to boycott the June 1 poll, compelling the election commission to step up the efforts to motivate the villagers to exercise their franchise

The cycle expedition reached the Buddhist Learning Centre in Tabo on May 18. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 20, 2024 05:26 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Anurag Thakur, Vinod Sultanpuri and Suresh Kashyap file nominations for Himachal Lok Sabha polls

While Anurag Thakur, who seeks a fifth term as an MP, filed his nomination from the Hamirpur parliamentary seat, Congress and BJP’s Shimla candidates Vinod Sultanpuri and Suresh Kashyap also submitted their papers

Congress’ Shimla Lok Sabha seat candidate Vinod Sultanpuri with Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and party’s state unit president Pratibha Singh in Shimla. (Deepak Sansta/ HT)

Chandigarh

Published on May 14, 2024 10:51 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala

Himachal: 3 Independent MLAs skip hearing before speaker

Speaker says three violated scheduled 10th of Constitution by joining BJP before acceptance of their resignation. Pathania had summoned Hamirpur MLA Ashish Sharma; Nalagarh MLA KL Thakur and Dehra MLA Hoshiyar Singh Thakur. The speaker had summoned them to hear their side on the petition filed by revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi.

Amidst the electioneering, the three Independent legislators who had joined the BJP, skipped the hearing before speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Saturday. The speaker has now fixed the case for the final hearing. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 12, 2024 05:24 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Delayed harvest no dampener as Himachal’s cherry season gets off a cheery start

But growers are hopeful of reaping a rich harvest as fruit is fetching double last year’s rates, given the demand

Last year, cherry reached the market on April 13 and could be bought for <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>200 kilogram. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 11, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Congress puts up united face as Anand Sharma, Vikramaditya file nomination

Comes a couple of months after political upheaval rattled the CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government after cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections

Vikrmadiya at Seri Manch Mandi after filing his nomination as Congress candidate from Mandi. (Birbal Sharma/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 10, 2024 09:54 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Dar Ovais, Shimla/dharamshala

No relief for three independent Himachal MLAs as HC refers case to third bench

The three independent had sought directions from the court for Himachal assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to accept their resignation.

The matter will be listed before the chief justice and he will further list the case to the third bench of the Himachal HC. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 09, 2024 03:58 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Lok Sabha constituency watch: Congress looks to wrest lost Shimla fortress from BJP

Shimla parliamentary seat has been home ground for three former Congress CMs; party looks to regain the lost ground against sitting BJP MP

The region’s apple-growing belt plays a significant role in shaping not only the state’s economy, but also the political narrative. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 09, 2024 09:56 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Himachal assembly bypolls: Setback for three Independents as nomination process commences

Three Independent MLAs had resigned from the assembly and joined the BJP in March, hoping that bypolls would be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections on June 1

The three Independents — Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra, Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur and KL Thakur from Nalagarh — had voted in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Rajya Sabha candidate Harsh Mahajan along with six rebel Congress MLAs back in February. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 08, 2024 05:56 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Lok Sabha Constituency Watch: Blue blood takes on Bollywood ‘royalty’ in Himachal’s Mandi

The constituency, spread over six districts, has the highest and smallest polling stations and shares a 220-km with China; it also boasts of the oldest voter and was home to India’s first voter

Spread over six districts, the Mandi parliamentary constituency is one of the country’s largest by area. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 07, 2024 09:54 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Mandi/shimla

Political parties give go-bye to farm issues, farmers unhappy

Sanyukt Kisan Manch will prepare a demand manifesto and will put it before all the political parties contesting the elections.

Annually, India imports apples from around 44 countries, with prominent sources including Iran, Turkey, Chile, Washington, Italy, France, and New Zealand. Notably, China, which was once a significant supplier, now faces an import ban. (HT File Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 03, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Congress picks three names for Himachal assembly by-polls, fields turncoat Ranjit Rana from Sujanpur

Ranjit Rana had lost the 2022 assembly elections to Congress Rajender Rana, who is now a BJP candidate, by a slender margin of 399 votes

A former BJP leader, Ranjit Singh Rana, joined Congress shortly before being named as one of the candidates for the Himachal assembly by-polls. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 09:04 AM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Congress to lock Himachal picks today

Congress will hold a meeting of its Central Election Committee, where the party is also expected to finalise the nominees for the six assembly seats where by-elections are scheduled.

The Congress is likely to take a call on candidates for the remaining two Lok Sabha seats in Himachal. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 25, 2024 01:01 PM IST

ByGaurav Bisht, Shimla

Manali-Leh all-weather road: Shinku La tunnel gets forest clearance

The 4.1-km long proposed tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh via the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, an important defence axis

Once complete, Shinku La tunnel will be world’s highest highway tunnel. (HT FIle)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 20, 2024 06:48 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.

Priyanka Gandhi had reached Shimla on May 26 and embarked on a tour of all four parliamentary segments — Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, and Shimla

A total 57,11,969 voters to seal the fate of the 37 candidates in fray for Himachal’s four Lok Sabha seats

In the last 7 days, Himachal Pradesh has reported 1,343 forest fires, followed by 540 in Uttarakhand and 452 in J&K, according to Forest Survey of India data.

Priyanka Gandhi says women from underprivileged families will get ₹8,000 per month under central and ₹1,500 under state scheme; bats for changing import duty on apple

Double whammy for Himachal’s hill stations as water level dips amid rush of tourists looking to escape heats

Rahul Gandhi says Centres waived off loans worth ₹16 lakh crore for 22 individuals over the last decade, but failed to give ₹9,000 cr for disaster relief

The figure for forest land destroyed in Himachal 2024-25 till May has already neared the 2023-24 tally

“If the nation remains silent, it will ensure dictatorship in the future,“ Kharge said while addressing a public meeting in Rohru in the Shimla parliamentary seat in Himachal. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accompanied him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh a “talabaaz sarkar” for shutting down the staff selection commission and several offices set up by the BJP government that preceded it.

Tourists particularly from the northern Indian plains are visiting the hill stations in Himachal to seek relief from the sweltering heat. The tourist rush has increased in the state capital Shimla and its surrounding regions, while the influx is high in the other popular hill stations

Takes on Congress for shutting down staff selection commission and offices set up by predecessor BJP govt in state besides prioritising vendetta over public welfare

Shimla faces acute water shortages, resorting to rationing due to depleting water levels. Water supply reduced to 5 days a week, impacting residents and tourists.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi filed a petition in the high court challenging the interpretation of drawing of lots rules by the election officer following a tie in the Himachal Rajya Sabha election

Action sought against Kangana Ranaut for her earlier public announcement on meeting the medical expenses of the girl who suffered multiple injuries after a youth attacked her with a sharp weapon in Palampur, Hiamchal

Voter disillusionment in segments falling under the Shimla Lok Sabha constituency being attributed to persisting issues like poor condition of lateral roads, unemployment added with recent Crop failures

During campaign in remote district, Mandi BJP candidate shown black flags; former CM Jairam Thakur cries foul, says Congress rally was allowed at same venue, leading to tension

Reported 100% turnout, 52 voters have threatened to boycott the June 1 poll, compelling the election commission to step up the efforts to motivate the villagers to exercise their franchise

While Anurag Thakur, who seeks a fifth term as an MP, filed his nomination from the Hamirpur parliamentary seat, Congress and BJP’s Shimla candidates Vinod Sultanpuri and Suresh Kashyap also submitted their papers

But growers are hopeful of reaping a rich harvest as fruit is fetching double last year’s rates, given the demand

Comes a couple of months after political upheaval rattled the CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government after cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections

The three independent had sought directions from the court for Himachal assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to accept their resignation.

Shimla parliamentary seat has been home ground for three former Congress CMs; party looks to regain the lost ground against sitting BJP MP

Three Independent MLAs had resigned from the assembly and joined the BJP in March, hoping that bypolls would be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections on June 1

The constituency, spread over six districts, has the highest and smallest polling stations and shares a 220-km with China; it also boasts of the oldest voter and was home to India’s first voter

Sanyukt Kisan Manch will prepare a demand manifesto and will put it before all the political parties contesting the elections.

Ranjit Rana had lost the 2022 assembly elections to Congress Rajender Rana, who is now a BJP candidate, by a slender margin of 399 votes

Congress will hold a meeting of its Central Election Committee, where the party is also expected to finalise the nominees for the six assembly seats where by-elections are scheduled.

The 4.1-km long proposed tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity from Manali to Leh via the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road, an important defence axis

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