Himachal's Pong Dam to be developed as major tourist destination: CM

Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the state government has allotted Rs 70 crore to introduce water sports and other activities at the Pong Dam in Kangra district to create job opportunities and develop it as a major tourist destination.  The government intends to develop the dam, which has been declared a Wetland of National Importance in November 2002, by creating added infrastructure and even starting ‘Shikara’ in the backwaters of the lake, he said.  Famous as an abode for migratory birds, particularly the Siberian cranes and hundreds of other species from Russia and trans-Antarctic regions, the Pong Dam is a manmade reservoir on the Beas River in the wetland of Shivalik hills of Kangra district.

 Punjab declares summer vacation in schools from Jun 1 to Jul 2

Chandigarh: Punjab Government on Monday declared summer vacations in schools from June 1. An order, issued by the Additional Secretary after approval from Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, stated that all government, private government-aided, and affiliated or recognized schools across Punjab would remain closed for summer vacation from June 1 to July 2. All District Education Officers (DEOs) and school heads have been directed to ensure the order is complied with.

Nearly 15 lakh children to be covered under pulse polio immunisation drive in Haryana    

Chandigarh:  Nearly 15 lakh children will be covered under the first sub-national immunisation round of pulse polio 2023-24 that will take place in six districts of Haryana, according to an official statement.
The six districts are Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Mewat, Sonipat and Kaithal in which booth activity was undertaken on the first day in order to maintain the polio-free status of the state.  Also referred to as SNID, the three-day campaign will continue for another two days by way of house-to-house activity to trace and administer polio drops to the left-out children on booth day.

Chandigarh MC urges people to pay property tax well within the rebate period

Chandigarh: With 2 days left to clear the Property tax without penalty and with rebate scheme, 75,473 of the total 1.42 lakhs assesses are yet to pay the levy for the current financial year. The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh had raised bills for the assessment year 2023-24 with a provision of rebate which is valid upto 31st May, 2023. Failing to deposit the payment within this timeline will invite 25% penalty and interest @ 12% per annum from the date of issue of the bill to the date of actual payment. 

Himachal CM Sukhu discusses water sharing issue with Kejriwal in Delhi

Shimla:  Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi and discussed water sharing agreements of Renuka and Kishau hydro projects, an official statement said on Monday. In the Sunday evening meeting, various common issues between both states were discussed besides electric supply for the upcoming Bulk Drug Park in Una district with the support of Bhakra Beas Management Board, it said.