<p>A political row over samosas! India’s investigation agency CID landed itself into a rather unusual probe when the samosas and cakes meant for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were served to his security staff instead.</p>

<p>The incident took place on October 21, when Sukhu visited the CID headquarters and the snacks meant for him were served to the staff, which the CM termed as an “anti-government” act.</p>

<p>According to reports, at least three boxes of samosas were brought from Hotel Radisson Blue as refreshments that were planned to serve to CM Sukhu, who visited the investigation agency’s headquarters to attend an event.</p>

<p>Soon an investigation was launched. As per the agency, the CID officials asked the tourism department employees on duty whether the food items kept in these boxes were to be served to the Chief Minister; they got the answer that they were not on his menu.</p>

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<p>It was revealed in the investigation report that some officials were made in charge of the arrangements for refreshments meant for the staff accompanying the Chief Minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A woman official said that she was unaware that the items inside these three boxes were meant for the CM Sukhu and those three boxes were handed over to the MT section without opening.</p>

<p>The food items kept in the boxes were served with tea to some 10-12 people sitting in the IG's room on his orders, according to the statement of the officer in charge.</p>

<p>Later, as the probe went on, it was realised that only an SI rank officer knew that those snacks were meant for the Chief Minister.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/south-india-is-being-asked-to-have-more-babies-is-it-sitting-on-a-population-time-bomb-774560">South India is being asked to have more babies. Is it sitting on a population time bomb?&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>However, the Congress party has denied claims of a CID probe being ordered into the incident, saying that the investigation agency is pursuing the matter as per its own accord.</p>

<p>"The government did not order any such investigation, and it has nothing to do with this matter. The CID is investigating the matter at its own level. After all, who was given the refreshments served to the Chief Minister?," Naresh Chauhan, the chief media advisor to Sukhu said.</p>

<p>Chauhan also hit back at the BJP and said that they are unnecessarily blowing up the issue. "Because the BJP does not have any issues, hence false propaganda is being done against the Congress government through this issue," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A political row over samosas! India’s investigation agency CID landed itself into a rather unusual probe when the samosas and cakes meant for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were served to his security staff instead.

A political row over samosas! India’s investigation agency CID landed itself into a rather unusual probe when the samosas and cakes meant for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were served to his security staff instead. The incident took place on October 21, when Sukhu visited the CID headquarters and the snacks meant for him were served to the staff, which the CM termed as an “anti-government” act. According to reports, at least three boxes of samosas were brought from Hotel Radisson Blue as refreshments that were planned to serve to CM Sukhu, who visited the investigation agency’s headquarters to attend an event. Soon an investigation was launched. As per the agency, the CID officials asked the tourism department employees on duty whether the food items kept in these boxes were to be served to the Chief Minister; they got the answer that they were not on his menu. Also Read | MEA responds to Mizoram CM Lalduhoma's controversial statement in the US It was revealed in the investigation report that some officials were made in charge of the arrangements for refreshments meant for the staff accompanying the Chief Minister. A woman official said that she was unaware that the items inside these three boxes were meant for the CM Sukhu and those three boxes were handed over to the MT section without opening. The food items kept in the boxes were served with tea to some 10-12 people sitting in the IG's room on his orders, according to the statement of the officer in charge. Later, as the probe went on, it was realised that only an SI rank officer knew that those snacks were meant for the Chief Minister. Also Read | South India is being asked to have more babies. Is it sitting on a population time bomb? However, the Congress party has denied claims of a CID probe being ordered into the incident, saying that the investigation agency is pursuing the matter as per its own accord. "The government did not order any such investigation, and it has nothing to do with this matter. The CID is investigating the matter at its own level. After all, who was given the refreshments served to the Chief Minister?," Naresh Chauhan, the chief media advisor to Sukhu said. Chauhan also hit back at the BJP and said that they are unnecessarily blowing up the issue. "Because the BJP does not have any issues, hence false propaganda is being done against the Congress government through this issue," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

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BREAKING: BJP leader claims Congress CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has resigned

<p>Even as the death toll continues to mount in the aftermath of landslides in rain-hit northern Himachal Pradesh state in India, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (August 16) said that the state has suffered losses to the tune of 100 billion rupees ($1.2 billion approx.).</p>

<p>More than 60 people have lost their lives and over 800 people have been evacuated from the low-lying areas of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district near the Pong Dam, where the water level on the Beas River has continued to go past the danger level due to incessant rainfall.</p>

<p>“Around 100 people are still trapped in Kangra, rescue operation is underway. Another body has been recovered in Shimla. The state has suffered a loss of around&nbsp;₹10,000 crores. It will take around one year for us to redevelop the infrastructure of the state,” CM Sukhu said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Helicopters of <a href="https://twitter.com/hqwaciaf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hqwaciaf</a> recommenced relief operations in Himachal Pradesh today in the wake of recent rains. Over 150 citizens were rescued from various affected areas.<a href="https://twitter.com/CMOHimachal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMOHimachal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpokespersonMoD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DefenceMinIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAF_MCC</a> <a href="https://t.co/03Cc0TDcdY">pic.twitter.com/03Cc0TDcdY</a></p>
— PRO Defence Palam (@DefencePROPalam) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefencePROPalam/status/1691458012328931329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Schools, colleges shut&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In the wake of the alarming situation, the state government has ordered closure of schools and colleges.</p>

<p>“Whereas, weather conditions in most parts of Himachal Pradesh are still inclement; &amp; whereas, it is being felt that it would be in the interest of student's safety that school/colleges remain closed for another 1 day. Therefore, considering the above, the Government of Himachal Pradesh orders to keep all schools &amp; colleges (government as well as private) closed on dated 16th August, 2023,” the state's Education Department said in its order on Tuesday.</p>

<p>According to the regional meteorological department, the monsoon trough—an elongated low-pressure area that was to the north of its normal position—is causing heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring Uttarakhand, and has gradually started moving south.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-yamuna-water-level-crosses-warning-mark-again-raises-flood-prospects-625854">India: Yamuna water level crosses warning mark again, raises flood prospects in Delhi</a></p>

<h3><strong>India | Heavy rains in Himachal, Uttarakhand: IMD says, 'No respite for states until August 18'</strong></h3>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-heavy-rains-in-himachal-uttarakhand-imd-says-no-respite-for-states-until-august-18-625898/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>157% surge in rainfall&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Chief Minister Sukhu said that a 157 per cent surge in rainfall over the past four days has resulted in extensive damage across the entire state.</p>

<p>“The challenge is huge, but we will not step back. We will move ahead and make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant in the next four years and it will become the richest and most prosperous state of India in the next 10 years,” he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also w</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-heavy-rains-leave-part-of-kalka-shimla-railway-track-hanging-after-landslide-erodes-ground-beneath-625723"><strong>atch </strong>| Heavy rains leave part of Kalka-Shimla railway track hanging after landslide erodes ground beneath</a></p>

<p>“The river didn’t enter the houses, the houses entered the river. The drainage system of the houses was not managed, and we did not pay attention to the structuring. The laws need to be made stronger, and we will soon act on this,” he added.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Even as the death toll continues to mount in the aftermath of landslides in rain-hit northern Himachal Pradesh state in India, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (August 16) said that the state has suffered losses to the tune of 100 billion rupees ($1.

Even as the death toll continues to mount in the aftermath of landslides in rain-hit northern Himachal Pradesh state in India, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (August 16) said that the state has suffered losses to the tune of 100 billion rupees ($1.2 billion approx.). More than 60 people have lost their lives and over 800 people have been evacuated from the low-lying areas of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district near the Pong Dam, where the water level on the Beas River has continued to go past the danger level due to incessant rainfall. “Around 100 people are still trapped in Kangra, rescue operation is underway. Another body has been recovered in Shimla. The state has suffered a loss of around ₹10,000 crores. It will take around one year for us to redevelop the infrastructure of the state,” CM Sukhu said. Helicopters of @hqwaciaf recommenced relief operations in Himachal Pradesh today in the wake of recent rains. Over 150 citizens were rescued from various affected areas.@CMOHimachal @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/03Cc0TDcdY — PRO Defence Palam (@DefencePROPalam) August 15, 2023 × Schools, colleges shut In the wake of the alarming situation, the state government has ordered closure of schools and colleges. “Whereas, weather conditions in most parts of Himachal Pradesh are still inclement; & whereas, it is being felt that it would be in the interest of student's safety that school/colleges remain closed for another 1 day. Therefore, considering the above, the Government of Himachal Pradesh orders to keep all schools & colleges (government as well as private) closed on dated 16th August, 2023,” the state's Education Department said in its order on Tuesday. According to the regional meteorological department, the monsoon trough—an elongated low-pressure area that was to the north of its normal position—is causing heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring Uttarakhand, and has gradually started moving south. Also read | India: Yamuna water level crosses warning mark again, raises flood prospects in Delhi India | Heavy rains in Himachal, Uttarakhand: IMD says, 'No respite for states until August 18' 157% surge in rainfall Chief Minister Sukhu said that a 157 per cent surge in rainfall over the past four days has resulted in extensive damage across the entire state. “The challenge is huge, but we will not step back. We will move ahead and make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant in the next four years and it will become the richest and most prosperous state of India in the next 10 years,” he said. Also watch | Heavy rains leave part of Kalka-Shimla railway track hanging after landslide erodes ground beneath “The river didn’t enter the houses, the houses entered the river. The drainage system of the houses was not managed, and we did not pay attention to the structuring. The laws need to be made stronger, and we will soon act on this,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India: Himachal rains caused loss of $1.2 billion, will take a year to redevelop, says CM Sukhu

Major parts of North India have reported loss of life and property due to relentless rains. More death and destruction was reported on Monday from many parts of the region. Torrential rains have killed at least 42 people in the last 72 hours.

Indian PM Modi speaks with Himachal Pradesh CM ahead of intense rainfall | WION Climate Tracker