Dar Ovais is the Dharamshala-based correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers politics, tourism, Tibetan affairs and environmental issues.
Articles by Dar Ovais
Amid SADA row, Gunehar panchayat demands recognition in Paragliding events
The resolution also demands that the panchayat receive revenue from the barrier installed at the Billing valley takeoff site, which falls under its jurisdiction and have threatened to close the site if their demands are not met
Updated on Sep 25, 2024 06:32 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
‘Intellectual bankruptcy’, Congress slams Kangana over remarks on HP funds being diverted to Sonia Gandhi
Kangana Ranaut had alleged that the hill state has “empty coffers” as “the Congress government takes loans which it then gives to Sonia Gandhi, the ex-president of the party”
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 07:22 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Rise in cancer cases sets alarm bells ringing in Himachal
The state government has recently announced the decision to provide 42 medicines free of cost to cancer patients at government hospitals
Published on Sep 22, 2024 09:18 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Kinnaur hydro power project to be handed over to Himachal power corporation
Last year, the Himachal government had decided to cancel the allotment of the project to the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) over tardy construction work
Updated on Sep 21, 2024 05:56 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal: Mandi MC cuts power, water supply to mosque over illegal structure
After last week’s protests seeking demolition of a portion of a mosque built on encroached govt land, MC commissioner HS Rana says structure has been found to be illegal and the masjid committee has been given month to remove it.
Published on Sep 20, 2024 02:53 PM IST
‘Xizang’ replacing ‘Tibet’ in French museums: Irked Tibetan govt in-exile flags ‘distortion of history’
The move is being viewed as the issue of China’s Sinicisation of Tibet and part of China’s campaign to reshape the world’s understanding of the region
Published on Sep 19, 2024 10:56 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Mosque row: Himachal Muslim delegation meets KC Venugopal as protests continue
Congress party’s national chairman of minority department and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi also accompanied the delegation
Published on Sep 19, 2024 10:51 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu criticises Ravneet Bittu’s remark on Rahul Gandhi
CM Sukhu said that minister of state in Union government Ravneet Bittu had all praise for Rahul Gandhi when he was the Member of Parliament from Congress, but now he has compromised all his moral values in pursuit of power.
Updated on Sep 19, 2024 06:52 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Now residents flag ‘illegal’ mosque in Shimla’s Kasumpti
The residents alleged that a mosque situated in Kasumpti market was illegal and should be immediately demolished
Published on Sep 18, 2024 07:48 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Now, protests against outsiders pick up pace in Himachal
On Monday, the market in Solan remained closed until noon in response to a call from local traders protesting the increasing number of migrants from other states
Published on Sep 16, 2024 10:00 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
After 2 months, Paragliding resumes in Himachal Pradesh
Due to the arrival of the monsoon, the tourism department in Kangra has decided to suspend the paragliding activities for two months, starting July 15
Published on Sep 16, 2024 09:52 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal: State to soon acquire land for airport expansion in Kangra
Himachal Pradesh to acquire 122 hectares for Kangra airport expansion, displacing 942 families. Objections hearings set from Oct 18 to Nov 11.
Updated on Sep 16, 2024 05:04 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
After a stir over Shimla mosque, protesters met with water cannons in Mandi
Mandi: The mosque management committee has been served a notice by the local municipal corporation to remove the encroachment within 30 days.
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 01:57 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Shimla mosque row: Leaders call for peace at all-party meet
The all-party meeting, held in Shimla, was chaired by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and state Congress president Pratibha Singh, BJP MLA Randhir Sharma, AAP state president Surjit Singh Thakur, and CPM leader Rakesh Singha were among few others present
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 05:46 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Illegal tructure at Shimla mosque raised in unauthorised manner during BJP rule: Congress
Anirudh Singh said it was during the BJP regime that a sum of ₹2 lakh was provided to the mosque authorities from the planning head, by the then BJP government.
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 05:14 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Malana village gets electricity after 42 days, still cut off by road
The electricity in remote Malana village in Himachal’s Kullu district was finally restored after 41 days on Wednesday.
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 05:18 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Shimla mosque panel asks civic body to seal illegal portion, offers to demolish it
The representatives of the mosque committee on Thursday requested the municipal commissioner to seal the illegal portion and also offered to demolish it if the court orders so.
Published on Sep 12, 2024 08:31 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal assembly passes bill to levy milk, environment cess on power bills
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu said the move will help government strengthen milk economy and initiate environment-friendly initiatives
Published on Sep 10, 2024 10:43 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Tibetan govt-in-exile calls for int’l intervention over forcible enrolment of children in colonial boarding schools
The CTA said the recent reports from reliable sources in the Ngaba region of Tibet have raised serious concerns about China’s educational policies and practices that are targeted at young Tibetan monks and nuns and pose a threat to the preservation of traditional Tibetan culture, religion, and way of life
Updated on Sep 10, 2024 07:52 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Despite normal rain in August, Himachal under 21% monsoon deficit
Monsoon activity has increased in August but the 522.2 mm rain so far is far below the normal 657.9 mm
Updated on Sep 09, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal to install 48 weather stations for early warning on cloudbursts, rainfall
This was a part of an MoU signed by the state government with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in the presence of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Updated on Sep 08, 2024 08:00 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
HP assembly adopts resolution to legalise cannabis cultivation
Himachal approved cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use, following a committee's report indicating public support and economic potential.
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 11:58 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
No one will be permitted to take law into their hands: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu amid row over Shimla mosque
The CM also said while we respect peaceful protests, no individual, whether a political leader, worker, or supporter, will be allowed to bypass the law
Updated on Sep 06, 2024 09:54 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal to disburse salaries on 5th, pensions on 10th each month
Himachal government has to pay salaries on the first day of every month but central grants are received on 6th and 10th of every month, forcing the state to take loans
Published on Sep 04, 2024 10:48 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Salary delay worries Himachal goverment employees
Leader of Opposition in assembly Jai Ram Thakur alleged it is probably for the first time in the history of the state that government employees are facing such a delay in receiving their salaries
Updated on Sep 04, 2024 06:50 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
‘China distorting Tibetan history, destroying architectural buildings’
“As part of this policy to eradicate anything Tibetan, the Chinese authorities are distorting Tibetan history, erasing national identity, and forcibly changing the way of life, and destroying architectural buildings, designs and artwork with Tibetan characteristics,” said Penpa Tsering
Updated on Sep 03, 2024 07:24 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Himachal makes strides in blueberry farming, gets first authorised nursery in Kangra
Horticulture department officials said Kangra-based Neva Plantation has been authorised to grow four varieties of blueberries: Misty, legacy, emerald, and biloxi. These varieties are being cultivated in containers to better manage soil conditions. This is the first registered blueberry nursery in the state, officials said.
Updated on Sep 01, 2024 10:24 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharmashala
Vikramaditya given more funds than Rahul Gandhi to campaign for LS polls
Congress gave Vikramaditya the highest ₹87 lakh to contest the elections while Rahul Gandhi received ₹70 lakh.
Published on Aug 31, 2024 10:52 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
US reiterates need for direct talks between Dalai Lama and China
Christopher Elms, the spokesperson of US embassy in New Delhi, said US president Joe Biden had in July signed the Resolve Tibet Act into a law because we agree with the sentiment of the law that it is there to protect the human rights of the Tibetan people
Updated on Aug 31, 2024 06:42 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala
Plans afoot to revive Kangra’s cooperative tea factories
Three of the four units set up between 1964 and 1981 were shut due to the high operational cots, losses
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 09:50 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Dharamshala