111-578: Kullu Valley is a broad open valley in Himachal Pradesh , India, formed by the Beas River between Manali and Larji. This valley is famous for its temples, beauty and its majestic hills covered with pine and deodar forest and sprawling apple orchards. The course of the Beas river presents a succession of magnificent, clad with forests of deodar, towering above trees of pine on the lower rocky ridges. Kullu valley
222-531: A union territory on 1 November 1956. Some areas of the Punjab State, namely, Simla, Kangra, Kullu and Lahul and Spiti Districts, Lohara, Amb and Una Kanungo circles, some areas of Santokhgarh Kanungo circle and some other specified area of Una Tehsil of Hoshiarpur District , as well as Kandaghat and Nalagarh Tehsils of erstwhile PEPSU State , besides some parts of Dhar Kalan Kanungo circle of Pathankot District—were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966 on
333-550: A UNESCO World Heritage Site , and another is the Kangra Valley Railway . The total length of these two tracks is 259 kilometres (161 mi). The Kalka-Shimla Railway passes through many tunnels and bridges, while the Pathankot–Jogindernagar one meanders through a maze of hills and valleys. The total route length of the operational railway network in the state is 296.26 kilometres (184.09 mi). Roads are
444-599: A cold desert, supports unique plants of medicinal value including Ferula jaeschkeana , Hyoscyamus niger , Lancea tibetica , and Saussurea bracteata . Himachal is also said to be the fruit bowl of the country, with widespread orchards. Meadows and pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes. After the winter season, the hillsides and orchards bloom with wild flowers, white gladiolas, carnations , marigolds , roses , chrysanthemums , tulips and lilies are carefully cultivated. Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd. (HPMC)
555-617: A comparison of the deposits held by Indians and by citizens of other nations in Swiss banks. Total deposits held by citizens of India constitute only 0.13 per cent of the total bank deposits of citizens of all countries. Further, the share of Indians in the total bank deposits of citizens of all countries in Swiss banks has reduced from 0.29 per cent in 2006 to 0.13 per cent in 2010. The Indian stock exchanges , Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India , have been rocked by several high-profile corruption scandals. At times,
666-689: A crime. Many of the biggest scandals since 2010 have involved high level government officials, including Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers, such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam ( ₹ 70,000 crore (US$ 8.4 billion)), the Adarsh Housing Society scam , the Coal Mining Scam ( ₹ 1.86 lakh crore (US$ 22 billion)), the Mining Scandal in Karnataka , and the Cash for Vote scams along with
777-468: A fleet of over 3,100, operates bus services connecting important cities and towns with villages within the state and also on various interstate routes. In addition, around 5,000 private buses ply in the state. Himachal Pradesh has a total population of 6,864,602 including 3,481,873 males and 3,382,729 females according to the Census of India 2011. It has only 0.57 per cent of India's total population, recording
888-749: A growth of 12.81 per cent. The child sex ratio increased from 896 in 2001 to 909 in 2011. The total fertility rate (TFR) per woman in 2015 stood at 1.7, one of the lowest in India. The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes account for 25.19 per cent and 5.71 per cent of the population, respectively. The sex ratio stood at 972 females per 1,000 males, recording a marginal increase from 968 in 2001. The main caste groups in Himachal Pradesh are Brahmins , Rajputs , Kanets , Kulindas, Girths, Raos, Rathis, Kolis , Hollis, Chamars , Drains, Rehars, Chanals, Lohars, Baris, Julahas, Dhakhis, Turis, Batwals The Koli forms
999-629: A known one being Bijli Mahadev . The temple is seen as a 20-meter structure built in stone which, according to locals, is known to attract lighting. They say that this is a way the Gods show their blessings. The Great Himalayan National Park is found in the Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. It has an area of 620 km and ranging from an altitude of 1500 meters to 4500 meters and was created in 1984. There are various forest types found here such as Deodar , Himalayan Fir , Spruce , Oak and Alpine pastures. In
1110-661: A large degree of independence and were invaded by Delhi Sultanate several times. Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 11th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state, captured several forts, and fought many battles. Several hill states acknowledged Mughal suzerainty and paid regular tribute to the Mughals. The Kingdom of Gorkha conquered many kingdoms and came to power in Nepal in 1768. They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory. Gradually,
1221-669: A mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power by public servants and also protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies, projects and offices, has received the assent of the President of India on 9 May 2014, and (as of 2 August) is pending for notification by the Central Government. At present there are no legal provisions to check graft in the private sector in India. Government has proposed amendments in existing acts and certain new bills for checking corruption in private sector. Big-ticket corruption
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#17328455645491332-634: A preponderance of new laws". Over the years there have been numerous allegations against judges, and in 2011 Soumitra Sen , a former judge at the Calcutta High Court became the first judge in India to be impeached by the Rajya Sabha , (Upper House of the Indian Parliament) for misappropriation of funds. The 2005 Right to Information Act required government officials to provide information requested by citizens or face punitive action, as well as
1443-633: A public office. Taxes and bribes are common between state borders; Transparency International estimates that truckers annually pay ₹ 222 crore (US$ 27 million) in bribes. Both government regulators and police share in bribe money, to the tune of 43% and 45% each, respectively. The en route stoppages at checkpoints and entry-points can take up to 11 hours per day. About 60% of these (forced) stoppages on roads by concerned authorities such as government regulators, police, forest, sales and excise, octroi and weighing and measuring departments are for extorting money. The loss in productivity due to these stoppages
1554-462: A scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean"), India scored 39. When ranked by score, India ranked 93rd among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector . For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the worst score was 11 (ranked 180), and the average score was 43. For comparison with regional scores,
1665-444: A thriving ₹40,000 crore drug manufacturing industry. Hydropower is one of the major sources of income generation for the state. The state has an abundance of hydropower resources because of the presence of various perennial rivers. Many high-capacity hydropower plants have been constructed which produce surplus electricity that is sold to other states, such as Delhi , Punjab and West Bengal . The income generated from exporting
1776-467: Is India's least corrupt state. Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts. The name of the state is a reference to its setting: Himachal means "snowy slopes" (Sanskrit: hima , meaning "snow"; acala/achala meaning "slopes", or "land", or "abode"). Himachal Pradesh (ɦɪˈmaːtʃəl pɾəˈdeːʃ; literally "snow-laden province"). Himachal refers to being in the " aanchal " of the Himalayas hence, sheltered by
1887-611: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh ( / h ɪ ˌ m ɑː tʃ əl p r ə ˈ d ɛ ʃ / ; Hindi: [ɦɪˈmäːtʃəl pɾəˈd̪eːʃ] ; lit. "Snow-laden Mountain Province" ) is a state in the northern part of India . Situated in the Western Himalayas , it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterised by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks and extensive river systems . Himachal Pradesh
1998-560: Is a mountainous state. The Zanskar range runs in the northeastern part of the state and the great Himalayan range run through the eastern and northern parts, while the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal ranges of the lesser Himalayas, and their valleys, form much of the core regions. The outer Himalayas, or the Shiwalik range , form southern and western Himachal Pradesh. At 6,816 m, Reo Purgyil
2109-438: Is a post-independence creation. It came into being as a centrally administered territory on 15 April 1948 from the integration of thirty erstwhile princely states. Himachal Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy , a feature the state shares with other Indian states. Universal suffrage is granted to residents. The legislature consists of elected members and special office bearers such as
2220-520: Is a state body that markets fresh and processed fruits. Himachal Pradesh has around 463 birds, and Tragopan melanocephalus is the state bird of Himanchal Pradesh 77 mammalian, 44 reptile and 80 fish species. Himachal Pradesh has currently five National Parks . Great Himalayan National Park , oldest and largest National park in the state, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Pin Valley National Park , Inderkilla , Khirganga and Simbalbara are
2331-575: Is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption since 2005 (ratified 2011). The Convention covers a wide range of acts of corruption and also proposes certain preventive policies. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 which came into force from 16 January 2014, seeks to provide for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries in India. Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 , which provides
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#17328455645492442-519: Is also known as Dev Bhoomi , meaning 'Land of Gods' and Veer Bhoomi which means 'Land of the Brave'. The predominantly mountainous region comprising the present-day Himachal Pradesh has been inhabited since pre-historic times, having witnessed multiple waves of human migrations from other areas. Through its history, the region was mostly ruled by local kingdoms, some of which accepted the suzerainty of larger empires . Prior to India's independence from
2553-548: Is also stated in its annual country report released in April 2022 by the U.S. Department of State. In an exclusive section, "Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government" , the report asserts that the law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials at all levels of government in India. However, officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity while there were numerous reports of government corruption during
2664-430: Is an important national concern; the number of truck trips could increase by 40%, if forced delays are avoided. According to a 2007 World Bank published report, the travel time for a Delhi-Mumbai trip could be reduced by about 2 days per trip if the corruption and associated regulatory stoppages to extract bribes were eliminated. A 2009 survey of the leading economies of Asia, revealed Indian bureaucracy to be not only
2775-588: Is an issue which affects economy of central, state, and local government agencies. Corruption is blamed for stunting the economy of India . A study conducted by Transparency International in 2005 recorded that more than 62% of Indians had at some point or another paid a bribe to a public official to get a job done. In 2008, another report showed that about 50% of Indians had first hand experience of paying bribes or using contacts to get services performed by public offices. In Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index , which scored 180 countries on
2886-599: Is encouraging its wider study and use. Most of the population, however, speaks natively one or another of the Western Pahari languages (locally also known as Himachali or just Pahari ), a subgroup of the Indo-Aryan languages that includes Bhattiyali , Bilaspuri , Chambeali , Churahi , Gaddi , Hinduri , Kangri , Kullu , Mahasu Pahari , Mandeali , Pahari Kinnauri , Pangwali , and Sirmauri . Additional Indo-Aryan languages spoken include Punjabi (native to 4.4% of
2997-576: Is forced to pay billions of rupees in bribes annually to numerous regulatory and police stops on interstate highways. The news media has widely published allegations of corrupt Indian citizens stashing millions of rupees in Swiss banks . Swiss authorities denied these allegations, which were later proven in 2015–2016. In July 2021, India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) replied to Right To Information (RTI) requests stating undeclared assets of Rs 20,078 crore identified by them in India and abroad following
3108-476: Is grown in the Kangra valley. Tea plantation began in 1849, and production peaked in the late 19th century with the tea becoming popular across the globe. Production dipped sharply after the 1905 Kangra earthquake and continues to decline. The tea received geographical indication status in 2005. Himachal Pradesh is renowned as Asia's pharmaceutical hub, housing a total of 652 pharmaceutical units . The state hosts
3219-454: Is known for its apple orchards. It is located between the river valleys of Giri and Sutlej . Himachal has three domestic airports in Kangra, Kullu and Shimla districts, respectively. The air routes connect the state with New Delhi and Chandigarh . The only broad-gauge railway line in the whole state connects Amb Andaura – Una Himachal railway station to Nangal Dam in Punjab and runs all
3330-404: Is mainly witnessed in the operations of large commercial or corporate entities. In order to prevent bribery on supply side, it is proposed that key managerial personnel of companies' and also the company shall be held liable for offering bribes to gain undue benefits. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 provides that the properties of corrupt public servants shall be confiscated. However,
3441-426: Is one of the most literate states of India with a literacy rate of 83.78% as of 2011. Languages of Himachal Pradesh (2011) Hindi is the de jure official language of Himachal Pradesh and is spoken by the majority of the population as a lingua franca . Sanskrit is the additional official language of the state. Although mostly encountered in academic and symbolic contexts, the government of Himachal Pradesh
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3552-553: Is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal , Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan Ranges . Ski touring is a sport growing in popularity in the Himilayan peaks surrounding the valley. See Economy section in Kullu district . For places of interest, festivals, and outdoor sports in the Kullu valley, see Attractions section in Kullu district . See Further reading section in Kullu district . This Himachal Pradesh location article
3663-441: Is spread across valleys with many perennial rivers flowing through them. Agriculture , horticulture, hydropower, and tourism are important constituents of the state's economy. The hilly state is almost universally electrified, with 99.5% of households having electricity as of 2016. The state was declared India's second open-defecation -free state in 2016. According to a survey of CMS-India Corruption Study in 2017, Himachal Pradesh
3774-571: Is the head of state appointed by the President of India . The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister by the governor, and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Council of Ministers reports to the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly is unicameral with 68 Members of
3885-879: Is the highest mountain peak in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers and glaciers . Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins . The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab , the Ravi , the Beas , the Sutlej , and the Yamuna . These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation. Four of
3996-525: Is the northernmost state of India and shares borders with the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the north, and the states of Punjab to the west, Haryana to the southwest, Uttarakhand to the southeast and a very narrow border with Uttar Pradesh to the south. The state also shares an international border to the east with the Tibet Autonomous Region in China . Himachal Pradesh
4107-535: Is the principal cash crop of the state grown principally in the districts of Shimla, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and some parts of Sirmaur and Lahaul-Spiti with an average annual production of five lakh tonnes and per hectare production of 8 to 10 tonnes. The apple cultivation constitute 49 per cent of the total area under fruit crops and 85% of total fruit production in the state with an estimated economy of ₹ 3500 crore . Apples from Himachal are exported to other Indian states and even other countries. In 2011–12,
4218-574: The BJP won only 25 of the 68 seats. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was sworn in as Himachal Pradesh's 15th Chief Minister in Shimla on 11 December 2022. Mukesh Agnihotri was sworn in as his deputy the same day. The state of Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts which are grouped into three divisions, Shimla, Kangra and Mandi. The districts are further divided into 73 subdivisions, 78 blocks and 172 Tehsils. Planning in Himachal Pradesh started in 1951 along with
4329-896: The Bharmour region of Chamba district is the venue of an annual Hindu pilgrimage trek held in the month of August which attracts lakhs of devotees. The state is also referred to as "Dev Bhoomi" (literally meaning Abode of Gods ) due to its mention as such in ancient Hindu texts and occurrence of a large number of historical temples in the state. Himachal is also known for its adventure tourism activities like ice skating in Shimla, paragliding in Bir Billing and Solang Valley, rafting in Kullu, skiing in Manali, boating in Bilaspur, fishing in Tirthan Valley, trekking and horse riding in different parts of
4440-579: The British , Himachal comprised the hilly regions of the Punjab Province of British India . After independence, many of the hilly territories were organised as the Chief Commissioner's province of Himachal Pradesh, which later became a Union Territory. In 1966, hilly areas of the neighbouring Punjab state were merged into Himachal and it was ultimately granted full statehood in 1971. Himachal Pradesh
4551-699: The Electoral Bond scam. There have also been decades of numerous state and local level scams, for example: the Saradha group financial scandal , the Narada sting operation , the Rose Valley financial scandal , and the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam . Since the anti-corruption departments in India exist as defunct outfits, the corrupt bureaucrats and politicians keep committing acts of corruption with impunity. This fact
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4662-783: The Great Himalayan National Park , there are a variety of animals found such as Snow leopard , Yak , Himalayan black bear , Western tragopan , Monal and Musk deer . This National Park is a trail to many hikers and trekkers too. Moreover, there are sanctuaries which are tourist spots such as Naina Devi and Gobind Sagar Sanctuary in the Una and Bilaspur districts with an area of 220 km . There are animals such as Indian porcupine and giant flying squirrel found here. The Gobind Sagar Lake has fish species such as Mrigal , Silver carp , Katla, Mahaseer and Rohu are found here. Narkanda located in at an altitude of around 8850 feet
4773-753: The Kangra Valleys , with tributary Parvati forming the Parvati Valley . The Chenab river, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga, forms much of the northern regions of Lahaul and Pangi , and the Ravi river flows principally through Chamba. The Pabbar and Giri rivers in the southeast are part of the Yamuna basin. Due to extreme variation in elevation, great variation occurs in the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The climate varies from hot and humid subtropical in
4884-551: The Kingdom of Nepal annexed Sirmour and Shimla . Under the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa , the Nepali army laid siege to Kangra . They managed to defeat Sansar Chand Katoch , the ruler of Kangra, in 1806 with the help of many provincial chiefs. However, the Nepali army could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1809. After the defeat, they expanded towards
4995-488: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred various individuals and entities from trading on the exchanges for stock manipulation , especially in illiquid small-cap and penny stocks . According to Transparency International , judicial corruption in India is attributable to factors such as "delays in the disposal of cases, shortage of judges and complex procedures, all of which are exacerbated by
5106-473: The Washington -based Global Financial Integrity estimates that over a 60-year period, India lost US$ 213 billion in illicit financial flows beginning in 1948; adjusted for inflation, this is estimated to be $ 462 billion in 2010, or about $ 8 billion per year ($ 7 per capita per year). The report also estimated the size of India's underground economy at approximately US$ 640 billion at the end of 2008 or roughly 50% of
5217-849: The Wayback Machine ) The Companies Act, 2013 , contains certain provisions to regulate frauds by corporations including increased penalties for frauds, giving more powers to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, mandatory responsibility of auditors to reveal frauds, and increased responsibilities of independent directors. The Companies Act, 2013 also provides for mandatory vigil mechanisms which allow directors and employees to report concerns and whistleblower protection mechanism for every listed company and any other companies which accepts deposits from public or has taken loans more than 50 crore rupees from banks and financial institutions. This intended to avoid accounting scandals such as
5328-430: The alpine zone which experiences a mild summer) with the average temperature ranging from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F). Winter lasts from late November until mid-March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts. Pollution is affecting the climate of almost all the states of India. Due to steps taken by governments to prevent pollution, Himachal Pradesh has become the first smoke-free state in India which means cooking in
5439-596: The Chief Commissioner's Province of Himachal Pradesh was organised on 15 April 1948 as a result of the integration of 30 petty princely states (including feudal princes and zaildars ) in the promontories of the western Himalayas . These were known as the Simla Hills States and four Punjab southern hill states under the Himachal Pradesh (Administration) Order, 1948 under Sections 3 and 4 of the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947 (later renamed as
5550-883: The First Plan to 32% in the Third Plan, showing a progressive decline afterwards from 24% in the Fourth Plan to less than 10% in the Tenth Plan. Expenditure on energy sector was 24.2% of the total in the Tenth Plan. The total GDP for 2005–06 was estimated at ₹ 254 billion as against ₹ 230 billion in the year 2004–05, showing an increase of 10.5%. The GDP for fiscal 2015–16 was estimated at ₹ 1.110 trillion, which increased to ₹ 1.247 trillion in 2016–17, recording growth of 6.8%. The per capita income increased from ₹ 130,067 in 2015–16 to ₹ 147,277 in 2016–17. The state government's advance estimates for fiscal 2017–18 stated
5661-585: The Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1947 vide A.O. of 1950). The State of Bilaspur was merged into Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1954 by the Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954. Himachal became a Part 'C' state on 26 January 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect and the Lieutenant Governor was appointed. The Legislative Assembly was elected in 1952. Himachal Pradesh became
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#17328455645495772-581: The Government is considering incorporating provisions for confiscation or forfeiture of the property of corrupt public servants into the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 to make it more self-contained and comprehensive. A committee headed by the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), has been constituted to examine ways to strengthen laws to curb generation of black money in India, its illegal transfer abroad, and its recovery. "The Committee shall examine
5883-467: The Himalayas or by the snow. It means "the land in the lap of snowy Himalayas". Pradesh means "state". Himachal was referenced by Diwakar Datt Sharma, a Sanskrit scholar, after independence, when "Jan Gan Man" was revealed publicly by Pt. Nehru from Gurudev Tagore 's diary. The word was added in the national anthem of India "Jan Gan Man" by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore when he was writing and composing it. Later after independence of India, Punjab province
5994-584: The Indian media and in Indian opposition circles, and circulated as gospel truth. However, this story was a complete fabrication. The Swiss Bankers Association never published such a report. Anyone claiming to have such figures (for India) should be forced to identify their source and explain the methodology used to produce them." In a separate study, Dev Kar of Global Financial Integrity concludes, "Media reports circulating in India that Indian nationals held around US$ 1.4 trillion in illicit external assets are widely off
6105-572: The Legislative Assembly (MLA). Terms of office run for five years, unless the Assembly is dissolved prior to the completion of the term. Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats , for which local body elections are regularly held, govern local affairs. In the assembly elections held in November 2022, the Indian National Congress secured an absolute majority, winning 40 of the 68 seats while
6216-708: The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker who are elected by the members. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence. The judiciary is composed of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a system of lower courts. Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister , although the titular head of government is the Governor . The governor
6327-609: The Swiss Banking Association Report (2006) showed India has more black money than the rest of the world combined, a more recent report quoted the SBA's Head of International Communications as saying that no such official Swiss Banking Association statistics exist. Another report said that Indian-owned Swiss bank account assets are worth 13 times the country's national debt. These allegations have been denied by Swiss Bankers Association . James Nason of Swiss Bankers Association in an interview about alleged black money from India, holds that "The (black money) figures were rapidly picked up in
6438-448: The Swiss National Bank estimates that the total amount of deposits in all Swiss banks, at the end of 2010, by citizens of India were CHF 1.95 billion ( ₹ 92.95 billion (US$ 1.1 billion)). The Swiss Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed these figures upon request for information by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. This amount is about 700-fold less than the alleged $ 1.4 trillion in some media reports. The report also provided
6549-400: The computerisation of services and the establishment of vigilance commissions. This has considerably reduced corruption and opened up avenues to redress grievances. Right to Public Services legislation, which has been enacted in 19 states of India, guarantee time bound delivery of services for various public services rendered by the government to citizen and provides mechanisms for punishing
6660-486: The country on human development indicators after Kerala . One of the Indian government's key initiatives to tackle unemployment is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). The participation of women in the NREGA has been observed to vary across different regions of the nation. As of the year 2009–2010, Himachal Pradesh joined the category of high female participation, recording a 46% share of NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) workdays for women. This
6771-660: The directive to do translational research and create real technologies, CSIR has been accused of transforming into a ritualistic, overly-bureaucratic organisation that does little more than churn out papers. There are many issues facing Indian scientists, with some calling for transparency, a meritocratic system, and an overhaul of the bureaucratic agencies that oversee science and technology. Sumit Bhaduri stated, "The challenges of turning Indian science into part of an innovation process are many. Many competent Indian scientists aspire to be ineffectual administrators (due to administrative power and political patronage), rather than do
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#17328455645496882-433: The electricity to other states is being provided as subsidy to the consumers in the state. The rich hydropower resources of Himachal have resulted in the state becoming almost universally electrified with around 94.8% houses receiving electricity as of 2001, as compared to the national average of 55.9%. Himachal's hydro-electric power production is, however, yet to be fully utilised. The identified hydroelectric potential for
6993-516: The enactment by Parliament of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 . On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament, and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Himachal became the 18th state of the Indian Union with Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar as its first chief minister. Himachal is in the western Himalayas situated between 30°22′N and 33°12′N latitude and 75°47′E and 79°04′E longitude. Covering an area of 55,673 square kilometres (21,495 sq mi), it
7104-441: The entire state is free of traditional chulhas . Himachal Pradesh is one of the states that lies in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), one of the richest reservoirs of biological diversity in the world. As of 2002, the IHR is undergoing large scale irrational extraction of wild, medicinal herbs, thus endangering many of its high-value gene stock. To address this, a workshop on 'Endangered Medicinal Plant Species in Himachal Pradesh'
7215-450: The errant public servant who is deficient in providing the service stipulated under the statute. Right to Service legislation is meant to reduce corruption among the government officials and to increase transparency and public accountability. Public servants in India can be imprisoned for several years and penalised for corruption under the: Punishment for bribery in India can range from six months to seven years of imprisonment. India
7326-434: The existing legal and administrative framework to deal with the menace of generation of black money through illegal means including inter-alia the following: 1. Declaring wealth generated illegally as national asset; 2. Enacting/amending laws to confiscate and recover such assets; and 3. Providing for exemplary punishment against its perpetrators." (Source: 2013 EY report on Bribery & Corruption Archived 23 August 2013 at
7437-412: The five Punjab rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh, three of them originating in the state. These rivers run through a maze of valleys separated by the mountain ranges of the state. The Satluj Valley is formed by the Satluj river entering the state near Shipki La , while the Spiti and Baspa Valleys are formed by the river's two major tributaries in the state. The Beas river flows though the Kullu and
7548-438: The highest score among the countries of the Asia Pacific region was 85, the lowest score was 17, and the average score was 45. Various factors contribute to corruption, including officials siphoning money from government social welfare schemes. Examples include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the National Rural Health Mission . Other areas of corruption include India's trucking industry, which
7659-691: The immense power and influence they possess. Apart from this, slum-dwellers who are allotted houses under several housing schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana, Rajiv Awas Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, etc., rent out these houses to others, to earn money due to severe unemployment and lack of a steady source of income. A 2006 report claimed that state-funded construction activities in Uttar Pradesh , such as road building , were dominated by construction mafias, consisting of cabals of corrupt public works officials, materials suppliers, politicians and construction contractors. Problems caused by corruption in government-funded projects are not limited to
7770-563: The industries perceived to be the most vulnerable to corruption as: Infrastructure and Real Estate, Metals and Mining, Aerospace and Defence, and Power and Utilities. There is a range of specific factors that make a sector more susceptible to bribery and corruption risks than others. High use of middlemen, large value contracts, liaisoning activities, etc. drive the depth, volume, and frequency of corrupt practices in vulnerable sectors. A 2011 KPMG study reports India's real estate, telecommunications, and government-run social development projects as
7881-399: The investigation till June 2021. The causes of corruption in India include excessive regulations, complicated tax and licensing systems, numerous government departments with opaque bureaucracy and discretionary powers, monopoly of government controlled institutions on certain goods and services delivery, and the lack of transparent laws and processes. There are significant variations in
7992-499: The kind of science that makes a difference". Prime minister Manmohan Singh spoke at the 99th Indian Science Congress and commented on the state of the sciences in India, after an advisory council informed him there were problems with "the overall environment for innovation and creative work" and a "war-like" approach was needed. In August 2011, an iron ore mining scandal became a media focus in India. In September 2011, elected member of Karnataka's legislative assembly Janardhana Reddy,
8103-757: The largest caste-cluster, comprising 30% of the total population of Himachal Pradesh. In the census, the state is placed 21st on the population chart, followed by Tripura at 22nd place. Kangra District was top-ranked with a population strength of 1,507,223 (21.98%), Mandi District 999,518 (14.58%), Shimla District 813,384 (11.86%), Solan District 576,670 (8.41%), Sirmaur District 530,164 (7.73%), Una District 521,057 (7.60%), Chamba District 518,844 (7.57%), Hamirpur district 454,293 (6.63%), Kullu District 437,474 (6.38%), Bilaspur district 382,056 (5.57%), Kinnaur District 84,298 (1.23%) and Lahaul Spiti 31,528 (0.46%). The life expectancy at birth in Himachal Pradesh increased significantly from 52.6 years in
8214-673: The least corrupt state in India. Black money refers to money that is not fully or legitimately the property of the 'owner'. A government white paper on black money in India suggests two possible sources of black money in India; the first includes activities not permitted by the law, such as crime, drug trade, terrorism, and corruption, all of which are illegal in India and secondly, wealth that may have been generated through lawful activity but accumulated by failure to declare income and pay taxes. Some of this black money ends up in illicit financial flows across international borders, such as deposits in tax haven countries. A November 2010 report from
8325-562: The least efficient among Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Philippines and Indonesia, but that working with India's civil servants was a "slow and painful" process. Officials are alleged to steal state property. In cities and villages throughout India, groups of municipal and other government officials, elected politicians, judicial officers, real estate developers, and law enforcement officials, acquire, develop and sell land in illegal ways. Such officials and politicians are very well protected by
8436-528: The legally required driving examination. Among the surveyed individuals, approximately 60% of the licence holders did not even take the licensing exam and 54% of those licence holders failed an independent driving test. Agents are the channels of corruption in this bureaucratic driver licensing system, facilitating access to licences among those who are unqualified to drive. Some of the failures of this licensing system are caused by corrupt bureaucrats who collaborate with agents by creating additional barriers within
8547-415: The level of corruption and in the government's efforts to reduce corruption across India. Corruption in India is a problem that has serious implications for protecting the rule of law and ensuring access to justice. As of December 2009 , 120 of India's 542 parliament members were accused of various crimes, under India's First Information Report procedure wherein anyone can allege another to have committed
8658-523: The major mode of transport in Himachal Pradesh due to its hilly terrain. The state has road network of 28,208 kilometres (17,528 mi), including eight National Highways (NH) that constitute 1,234 kilometres (767 mi) and 19 State Highways with a total length of 1,625 kilometres (1,010 mi). Hamirpur district has the highest road density in the country. Some roads are closed during winter and monsoon seasons due to snow and landslides . The state-owned Himachal Road Transport Corporation with
8769-454: The major states in India. A rising index implies higher anti-corruption effort and falling corruption. According to this table, the states of Bihar and Gujarat have experienced significant improvements in their anti-corruption efforts, while conditions have worsened in the states of Assam and West Bengal . Consistent with the results in this table, in 2012 a BBC News report claimed the state of Bihar has transformed in recent years to become
8880-447: The mark compared to the estimates found by his study." Kar claims the amounts are significantly smaller, only about 1.5% of India's GDP on average per annum basis, between 1948 and 2008. This includes corruption, bribery and kickbacks, criminal activities, trade mispricing, and efforts to shelter wealth by Indians from India's tax authorities. According to a third report, published in May 2012,
8991-473: The nation's GDP. India was ranked 38th by money held by its citizens in Swiss banks in 2004 but then improved its ranking by slipping to 61st position in 2015 and further improved its position by slipping to 75th position in 2016. According to a 2010 The Hindu article, unofficial estimates indicate that Indians had over US$ 1,456 billion in black money stored in Swiss banks (approximately US$ 1.4 trillion). While some news reports claimed that data provided by
9102-585: The original inhabitants to the hills of present-day Himachal Pradesh, followed by the Bhotas and Kiratas . During the Vedic period , several small republics known as Janapada existed which were later conquered by the Gupta Empire . After a brief period of supremacy by King Harshavardhana , the region was divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including some Rajput principalities. These kingdoms enjoyed
9213-516: The other national Parks located in the state. The state also has 30 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 conservation reserves. The state bird of Himachal Pradesh is the Western tragopan , locally known as the jujurana . It is one of the rarest living pheasants in the world. The state animal is the snow leopard , which is even rarer to find than the jujurana . The Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh has no pre-constitution history. The State itself
9324-766: The other crops grown in the state. Centuries-old traditional Kuhl irrigation system is prevalent in the Kangra valley , though in recent years these Kuhls have come under threat from hydroprojects on small streams in the valley. Land husbandry initiatives such as the Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project , which includes the Himachal Pradesh Reforestation Project (HPRP), the world's largest clean development mechanism (CDM) undertaking, have improved agricultural yields and productivity, and raised rural household incomes. Apple
9435-821: The paragliding world cup was Bir Billing, which is 70 km from the tourist town Macleod Ganj , located in the heart of Himachal in Kangra District. Bir Billing is the centre for aero sports in Himachal and considered as best for paragliding. Buddhist monasteries, trekking to tribal villages and mountain biking are other local possibilities. There are a variety of festivals celebrated by the locals of Himachal Pradesh who worship gods and goddesses. There are over 2000 villages in Himachal Pradesh which celebrate festivals such as Kullu Dussehra , Chamba's Minjar, Renuka ji Fair, Lohri , Halda , Phagli, Losar and Mandi Shivratri . There approximately 6000 temples in Himachal Pradesh with
9546-468: The period from 1970 to 1975 (above the national average of 49.7 years) to 72.0 years for the period 2011–15 (above the national average of 68.3 years). The infant mortality rate stood at 40 in 2010, and the crude birth rate has declined from 37.3 in 1971 to 16.9 in 2010, below the national average of 26.5 in 1998. The crude death rate was 6.9 in 2010. Himachal Pradesh's literacy rate has almost doubled between 1981 and 2011 (see table to right). The state
9657-475: The piracy of India's mineral resources by an illegal, politically corrupt government officials-business nexus, removal of incentives for illegal mining, and the creation of incentives for legal mining and domestic use of iron ore and steel manufacturing. A study conducted between 2004 and 2005 found that India's driver licensing procedure was a hugely distorted bureaucratic process and allows drivers to be licensed despite their low driving ability through promoting
9768-529: The population), Nepali (1.3%), Chinali , Lahul Lohar , and others. In parts of the state there are speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages like Kinnauri (1.2%), Tibetan (0.3%), Lahuli–Spiti languages (0.16%), Pattani (0.12%), Bhoti Kinnauri , Chitkuli Kinnauri , Bunan (or Gahri), Jangshung , Kanashi , Shumcho , Spiti Bhoti , Sunam , Tinani , and Tukpa . Religion in Himachal Pradesh (2011) Corruption in India Corruption in India
9879-539: The programme was widely criticised as no more effective than other poverty reduction programmes in India. Despite its best intentions, MGNREGA faces the challenges of corrupt officials reportedly pocketing money on behalf of fake rural employees, poor quality of the programme infrastructure, and unintended destructive effect on poverty. CSIR, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research , has been flagged in ongoing efforts to root out corruption in India. Established with
9990-500: The report said. The U.S. report adds that corruption in India happens at different levels including the payment of bribes to expedite services such as police protection, school admission, water supply, and government assistance. A 2005 study done by the Transparency International in India found that more than 62% of the people had firsthand experience of paying bribes or peddling influence to get services performed in
10101-400: The rest of India with the implementation of the first five-year plan . The First Plan allocated ₹ 52.7 million to Himachal Pradesh. More than 50% of this expenditure was incurred on transport and communication; while the power sector got a share of just 4.6%, though it had steadily increased to 7% by the Third Plan. Expenditure on agriculture and allied activities increased from 14.4% in
10212-458: The revolt of 1857, or first Indian war of independence , arising from several grievances against the British, the people of the hill states were not as politically active as were those in other parts of the country. They and their rulers, except Bushahr, remained more or less inactive. Some, including the rulers of Chamba , Bilaspur , Bhagal and Dhami, rendered help to the British government during
10323-577: The revolt. The British territories came under the British Crown after Queen Victoria 's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba , Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule. During World War I, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort, both in the form of men and materials. Among these were the states of Kangra , Jaswan, Datarpur, Guler, Rajgarh , Nurpur , Chamba, Suket, Mandi, and Bilaspur. After independence,
10434-567: The south of the state. However, Raja Ram Singh, Raja of Siba State , captured the fort of Siba from the remnants of Lahore Darbar in Samvat 1846, during the First Anglo-Sikh War . They came into direct conflict with the British along the tarai belt, after which the British expelled them from the provinces of the Satluj . The British gradually emerged as the paramount power in the region. In
10545-424: The southern tracts to, with more elevation, cold, alpine, and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges. The state's winter capital, Dharamsala receives very heavy rainfall, while areas like Lahaul and Spiti are cold and almost rainless. Broadly, Himachal experiences three seasons: summer, winter, and rainy season. Summer lasts from mid-April until the end of June and most parts become very hot (except in
10656-729: The state is 27,436 MW in five river basins while the hydroelectric capacity in 2016 was 10,351 MW. Tourism in Himachal Pradesh is a major contributor to the state's economy and growth. The Himalayas attracts tourists from all over the world. Hill stations like Shimla , Manali , Dharamshala , Dalhousie , Chamba , Khajjiar , Kullu and Kasauli are popular destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. The state also has many important Hindu pilgrimage sites with prominent temples like Shri Chamunda Devi Mandir , Naina Devi Temple, Bajreshwari Mata Temple , Jwala Ji Temple, Chintpurni , Baijnath Temple , Bhimakali Temple , Bijli Mahadev and Jakhoo Temple. Manimahesh Lake situated in
10767-594: The state of Uttar Pradesh. The World Bank study finds that the public distribution programs and social spending contracts have proven to be a waste due to corruption. For example, the government implemented the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on 25 August 2005. The Central government outlay for this welfare scheme is ₹ 400 crore (US$ 48 million) in FY 2010–2011. After 5 years of implementation, in 2011,
10878-488: The state. Shimla , the state's capital, is home to Asia's only natural ice-skating rink. Spiti Valley in Lahaul and Spiti District situated at an altitude of over 3000 metres with its picturesque landscapes is popular destination for adventure seekers. The region also has some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the world. Himachal hosted the first Paragliding World Cup in India from 24 to 31 October in 2015. The venue for
10989-420: The study claims that nationwide perception of corruption decreased between 2005 and 2010. Over the 5-year period, a significantly greater number of people surveyed from the middle and poorest classes in all parts of India claimed government corruption had dropped over time, and that they had fewer direct experiences with bribery demands. The table below compares the perceived anti-corruption effort across some of
11100-660: The system against those who did not hire agents. Professor Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari claim in their book Corruption in India: The DNA and RNA that public officials in India may be cornering as much as ₹ 921 billion (US$ 11 billion), or 1.26 per cent of the GDP, through corruption. The book claims most bribery is in government delivered services and the transport and real estate industries. Bribery and corruption are pervasive, but some areas tend to have more issues than others. A 2013 EY (Ernst & Young) Study reports
11211-410: The three top sectors plagued by corruption. The study found India's defence, information technology, and energy sectors to be the most competitive and least corruption-prone sectors. CMS India claims in its 2010 India Corruption Study report that socio-economically weaker sections of Indian society are the most adversely affected by government corruption. These include the rural and urban poor, although
11322-421: The total GDP and per capita income as ₹ 1.359 trillion and ₹ 158,462, respectively. As of 2018, Himachal is the 22nd-largest state economy in India with ₹ 1.52 lakh crore (US$ 18 billion) in gross domestic product and has the 13th-highest per capita income ( ₹ 160,000 (US$ 1,900)) among the states and union territories of India . Himachal Pradesh also ranks as the second-best performing state in
11433-527: The total area under apple cultivation was 104,000 hectares, increased from 90,347 hectares in 2000–01. According to the provisional estimates of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare , the annual apple production in Himachal for fiscal 2015–16 stood at 753,000 tonnes, making it India's second-largest apple-producing state after Jammu and Kashmir . The state is also among the leading producers of other fruits such as apricots , cherries , peaches , pears , plums and strawberries in India. Kangra tea
11544-478: The usage of agents. Individuals with the willingness to pay make a significant payment above the official fee and most of these extra payments are made to agents, who act as an intermediary between bureaucrats and applicants. The average licensee paid Rs 1,080, approximately 2.5 times the official fee of Rs 450, in order to obtain a licence. On average, those who hired agents had a lower driving ability, with agents helping unqualified drivers obtain licences and bypass
11655-485: The way to Daulatpur, Himachal Pradesh . It is an electrified track since 1999. While a tiny portion of line adjacent to Kandrori(KNDI) station on either side on Pathankot-Jalandhar Section, under Ferozepur Division of Northern Railway also crosses into Himachal Pradesh, before venturing out to Punjab again. Future constructions: Himachal is known for its narrow-gauge railways . One is the Kalka-Shimla Railway ,
11766-406: The year. The U.S. report further reveals that a lack of accountability for official misconduct persisted at all levels of government in India, contributing to widespread impunity. While investigations and prosecutions of individual cases took place, lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under-resourced court system contributed to a low number of convictions,
11877-552: Was a drastic increase from the 13% that was recorded in 2006–2007. Agriculture accounts for 9.4% of the net state domestic product. It is the main source of income and employment in Himachal. About 90% of the population in Himachal depends directly upon agriculture, which provides direct employment to 62% of total workers of state. The main cereals grown include wheat , maize , rice and barley with major cropping systems being maize-wheat, rice-wheat and maize-potato-wheat. Pulses , fruits , vegetables and oilseeds are among
11988-432: Was also alleged that corrupt government officials cooperated with Reddy, starting from government officials in charge of regulating mining to government officials in charge of regulating port facilities and shipping. These officials received monthly bribes in exchange for enabling the illegal export of illegally mined iron ore to China. Such scandals have led to a demand in India for consensually driven action plan to eradicate
12099-573: Was arrested on charges of corruption and illegal mining of iron ore in his home state. It was alleged that his company received preferential allotment of resources, organised and exported billions of dollars' worth of iron ore to Chinese companies in recent years without paying any royalty to the state government exchequer of Karnataka or the central government of India, and that these Chinese companies made payment to shell companies registered in Caribbean and north Atlantic tax havens controlled by Reddy. It
12210-482: Was divided and the name was given officially to the mountain state as Himachal Pradesh . Tribes such as the Koli , Hali, Dagi, Dhaugri, Dasa , Khasa , Kanaura , and Kirata inhabited the region from the prehistoric era. The foothills of the modern state of Himachal Pradesh were inhabited by people from the Indus valley civilisation , which flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE. The Kols and Mundas are believed to be
12321-414: Was held in 2002 and the conference was attended by forty experts from diverse disciplines. According to 2003 Forest Survey of India report, legally defined forest areas constitute 66.52% of the area of Himachal Pradesh. Vegetation in the state is dictated by elevation and precipitation . The state is endowed with a high diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants. Lahaul-Spiti region of the state, being
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