Saurabh Chauhan is a correspondent reporting from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, covering Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Agriculture. Previously reported from Mohali (Punjab), Shimla (HP) and covered Political, Civil Admin, Finance beats.
Articles by Saurabh Chauhan
Gorton Castle restoration plan awaits CAG's nod
The Rs 56 crore detailed project report of the central public works department (CPWD) on restoring the Gothic style Gorton Castle building that was gutted in a major fire in January 2014 has still to receive approval of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India. Last January a meeting was held at the CAG head office in New Delhi during which the CPWD had apprised the auditor about the detailed plan to restore the building.
Updated on Apr 21, 2015 09:19 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
EWS children still to get 25% quota in private schools of Himachal Pradesh
Despite the state government repeatedly talking about the education sector as its priority, the economically weak sections (EWS) of the society are still to get 25% quota in all private schools as per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Updated on Apr 20, 2015 10:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal Pradesh: Demand for bees to pollinate apple orchards rises
Even as inclement weather continues in the state the demand for honey bees, a natural pollinating agent, has increased manifold in apple orchards. The unfavorable weather conditions are likely have an adverse impact on apple blossom in orchards situated in the mid and lower altitude areas.
Updated on Apr 15, 2015 11:46 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
14 yrs on, Ambedkar library remains a non-starter
Even 14 years after the foundation stone of the Ambedkar library building was laid by then governor Suraj Bhan, the library is yet to see the light of day. Every year on April 14 and December 6, the birth and death anniversaries of BR Ambedkar, politicians and officials gather before his bust at Chaura Maidan in Shimla, but the library doesn't seem to among the priorities of the civic body or the state government.
Updated on Apr 14, 2015 10:38 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Pay hefty fee to park vehicle at your own risk in Sanjauli
The multi-storey parking lot constructed to ease parking woes of Sanjauli residents will weigh heavy on the pockets of scores of locals who till now had no option but to park their vehicles on the sides of Circular Road. Even after paying a hefty amount for parking, there is no guarantee the vehicle will be safe as the management has pasted a slip outside the entry and exit gates saying parking will be at the vehicle owner's risk.
Updated on Apr 13, 2015 08:36 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal Pradesh considering amendment to archaic labour laws
Acting promptly to 'improve' labour-industry relation, department of industries has prepared a note to amend labour laws that were made during the British era, as chief minister Virbhadra Singh had assured in his budget speech on March 18.
Updated on Apr 12, 2015 06:34 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Submission of over 17,000 utilisation certificates delayed: CAG
In its report for fiscal 2013-14 tabled in the state legislative assembly on Friday, the Comptroller & Auditor General said 17,027 utilisation certificates for an aggregate amount of Rs. 1,629.59 crore were delayed as on March 31, 2014, of which 827 certificates were pending since the past three years. It added 40,205 utilisation certificates were due against the disbursement of Rs. 2,486.84 crore of which 17,027 were pending.
Updated on Apr 10, 2015 08:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Shimla: After stonefruits, unseasonal rain may hit apple crop
After stonefruit crops were damaged due to the inclement weather, the meteorological department's forecast of more rain has added to the worries of apple growers in the state even as orchards are in the blooming stage.
Updated on Apr 08, 2015 11:12 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Govt tables bill to empower women in panchayats
With the aim to ensure political participation by women in village panchayats, the state government introduced a bill to amend the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 in the legislative assembly on Tuesday. The bill proposes to conduct 'mahila gram sabhas' in all panchayats in the state four times in a year.
Updated on Apr 07, 2015 07:39 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation soon to launch e-trade
The Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) is set to launch e-commerce facility for the sale of various products, including apple, with the Centre giving its nod to the HPMC office automation project.
Updated on Apr 07, 2015 12:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
NITI Aayog seeks status report on poverty alleviation
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has written to the Himachal government seeking comments on poverty alleviation and related ongoing programmes in the state.
Updated on Apr 04, 2015 10:51 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla:
Air pollution at Rohtang set to soar due to more vehicles
Raising concerns over environmental issues facing the Rohtang pass, a study conducted in 2012 pointed out that air pollution in the region was likely to increase significantly till 2022 due to the burgeoning number of vehicles.
Updated on Mar 28, 2015 08:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Effective waste management needed in Kullu valley: Report
A report on the composite plan on environmental issues facing the Kullu and Manali areas, which was drawn up by the Himachal pollution board last year, pointed out waste management schemes were not receiving sufficient financial support from the state government.
Updated on Mar 24, 2015 07:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal: Monkeys to be put on oral contraceptive pill
Buoyed by the success of the ongoing monkey sterilisation programme, the state government will administer oral contraceptive to simians for speedy control of their burgeoning population which has been raising concern for scores of farmers and urban residents.
Updated on Mar 22, 2015 09:26 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Economic survey pegs Himachal growth rate at 6.5 % for FY15
Notwithstanding low productivity of fruit crops, Himachal is expected to achieve a growth rate of 6.5% for 2014-2015 failing to beat the projected national growth rate of 7.5% for the financial year.
Updated on Mar 17, 2015 03:43 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Apple packaging: Govt may stall universal cartons plan
Though the state government had planned to introduce universal cartons for apples last year to check overpackaging after failing to enforce uniform packaging standards, it may now drag its feet on implementing the move in the coming harvesting season. The government is likely to fix a 24 kg limit for telescopic cartons citing the huge difference in prices of universal and existing packaging materials.
Updated on Mar 09, 2015 07:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Despite spending crores, number of ‘backward’ panchayats remains unchanged
The Himachal government has not conducted a survey for the past 20 years to assess conditions in “backward” panchayats in the state, though funds amounting to crores of rupees have been used for development under the backward area sub-plan.
Updated on Feb 23, 2015 08:28 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Despite full coverage, only 70% of Jan Dhan accounts linked to Aadhar
Even though 96% of households in the state have Aadhar cards, of the total 640,000 accounts with `125 crore deposited under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme only 70% are linked to Aadhar. More than half of the accounts, 561,000 of which have been opened in rural areas, have a zero balance.
Updated on Feb 22, 2015 07:34 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal: fiscal, revenue deficit to drop despite higher non-plan spending
Even as the state’s fiscal health continues to deteriorate, the latest estimates on the government’s compliance under the Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management Act shows a decline in the fiscal and revenue deficit in the wake of increased grants for centrally sponsored schemes despite a rise in non-plan expenditure.
Updated on Feb 17, 2015 11:25 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Govt mulls to set up bureau for promoting quality farm produce
The government is planning to set up a marketing standards bureau to ensure grading, standardisation and quality certification of agricultural produce.
Updated on Feb 16, 2015 07:05 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Uncertainty over special grants to state
Even as the recently-formed Niti Aayog convened its first meeting in New Delhi a few days ago, with chief minister Virbhadra Singh in attendance, confusion prevails over funding to the state under its special status.
Updated on Feb 15, 2015 06:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Political parties unite to lead Jaypee union protest
In a rare sight, the ruling Congress party, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist party of India, Marxist (CPM) came together to join the protest demonstration of Jayee hydro project labourers, who have been demanding revision of wages besides regularisation of employment.
Updated on Feb 14, 2015 09:38 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Rural job scheme on shaky ground after funding cuts
Following the central government's move to reduce funding for projects under the National Rural Guarantee Act (NREGA) in Himachal, the state is struggling keep the scheme afloat. The state has over 1.1 million rural job card holders of which around 700,000 are active ones
Updated on Feb 05, 2015 09:23 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
World Bank concerned over slow execution of roads project in HP
Although the World Bank has agreed in principle to fund the second phase of the Himachal Pradesh state roads project, it has also expressed concern over the 'alarmingly' slow pace of its implementation.
Updated on Feb 04, 2015 08:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh to attend NITI Aayog governing body meet on Feb 8
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh will attend a meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council, to chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on February 8 in New Delhi.
Updated on Feb 03, 2015 06:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Lack of cold storages hits fruit, vegetable growers
At a time when the Himachal government is talking about taking steps to streamline marketing of agricultural products, small, marginal farmers remain hamstrung by the absence of cold storage facilities in the state. Fruit and vegetable growers have been persistently demanding low-cost small capacity cold storages that would vastly benefit them in selling their produce.
Updated on Feb 01, 2015 08:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Search begins for new horticulture director
Days after horticulture minister Vidya Stokes expressed displeasure over extension of the term of horticulture director Gurudev Singh, search has begun for a new director.
Updated on Jan 31, 2015 09:23 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Governor sends Lokayukta Bill to President with a few reservations
With the state assembly earlier having passed the Lokayukta Bill, Himachal governor Kalyan Singh has forwarded the bill to President Pranab Mukherjee for approval after putting on record his reservations on a few clauses including those on contempt powers and sanction for prosecution for the ombudsman that he felt were at variance with the Criminal Procedure Code and other central laws.
Updated on Jan 30, 2015 08:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Himachal governor wants educational criteria for all polls
In the wake of the Rajasthan government's move to fix minimum educational qualifications for contesting 'panchayati raj' polls last month, Himachal governor Kalyan Singh said political parties in the state should now hold a debate and decide whether to do the same for all elections.
Updated on Jan 29, 2015 07:57 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla
Skewed sex ratio, child malnutrition remain major challenges for state: WB
Although the World Bank has lauded Himachal for making steady headway in reducing poverty, it has raised concerns over the widespread malnutrition in children and gender inequality prevailing in the state. In a recent report released here on Wednesday, it said though the state has seen significant decline poverty rates over the years it has not been able to replicate the progress in health and education services.
Updated on Jan 29, 2015 04:34 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Saurabh Chauhan Saurabh Chauhan, Shimla