Himachal Pradesh Records 66 Drug Overdose Fatalities Over Three-Year Period
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a total of 66 deaths due to drug overdose between January 1, 2023, and January 31, 2026, as disclosed by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday. The chief minister presented a detailed breakdown, revealing that eight fatalities occurred in 2023, followed by a significant spike to 31 deaths in 2024, and 27 in 2025. Notably, no drug overdose deaths were reported in January 2026, offering a slight respite in the troubling trend.
Enforcement Actions and Legal Proceedings Under NDPS Act
In a written response to queries from BJP MLAs Jeet Ram Katwal and Prakash Rana, CM Sukhu elaborated on the enforcement measures undertaken to combat drug abuse across the state. During the specified period, authorities registered a staggering 6,246 First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Of these cases, chargesheets have been filed in 5,684 instances, while 19 cases were closed with cancellation reports, and 57 remain untraced. Currently, 486 cases are under active investigation, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the issue.
Court data indicates that 108 cases have resulted in convictions, with 139 accused individuals acquitted. However, a substantial backlog persists, as 5,437 drug-related cases are still pending trial in various courts across Himachal Pradesh. The chief minister also noted that 5,298 accused persons were granted bail by courts over the last three years, raising concerns about the judicial handling of such offenses.
Rising 'Chitta' Use and Bail Provisions Explained
CM Sukhu acknowledged growing apprehensions regarding the increasing consumption of 'chitta' (heroin) in the hill state. He clarified the legal framework governing bail in heroin-related cases. For small quantities up to 5 grams, bail is granted pursuant to Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), in compliance with Supreme Court directives. In contrast, for intermediate quantities (5-250 grams) and commercial quantities (250 grams or more), courts only grant bail under exceptional circumstances, underscoring the stringent approach for larger-scale offenses.
Additional Assembly Discussions: Tourism, Health, and Governance
The assembly session also covered several other critical topics. CM Sukhu addressed the issue of 'over-tourism' in Himachal Pradesh, admitting that it strains the state's carrying capacity and leads to severe traffic congestion during peak seasons. He assured that highways and roads would be repaired ahead of the upcoming tourist season, with adequate police deployment for traffic management.
On the health front, Health Minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) informed the House that Himachal Pradesh has 205 registered thalassaemia patients and 158 haemophilia patients. These individuals receive free medicines and blood, with financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month under the 'Sahara Scheme' for eligible thalassaemia patients from low-income families.
In governance matters, the Congress government revealed that it spent Rs 14.73 crore on advertisements over three years through the information and public relations department, which is half the Rs 28 crore expenditure by the previous BJP administration. Overall, Rs 22.87 crore was allocated for advertisements across various departments up to October 31, 2025.
Infrastructure and Policy Initiatives
To promote religious tourism, the state government is preparing a master plan for the Shri Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur district, with a budget of Rs 25 crore allocated for beautifying Chintpurni and Jwalamukhi temples. A comprehensive plan for 'Shakti Peethas' is expected within a year, including facilities like lifts for the elderly.
Additionally, the government announced a forthcoming policy for the scientific disposal of scrap across departments, such as police stations, hospitals, and schools. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri highlighted challenges under the Jal Jeevan Mission, citing a delay of Rs 1,227 crore in central fund releases affecting drinking water projects.
CM Sukhu also disclosed that Rs 495.76 crore in power dues remain unpaid to the state electricity board by various departments, with the Jal Shakti Vibhag being the largest defaulter at Rs 455.91 crore. Recovery efforts include issuing notices and converting electricity meters to prepaid mode in a phased manner.
