Shimla, March 24 -- In a significant move, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved a proposal to bar individuals booked in 'chitta' (heroin) trafficking cases from contesting panchayat elections, triggering a wider debate on the balance between urgent anti-drug action and constitutional safeguards.
The decision, cleared under the proposed Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to disqualify any individual against whom a drug trafficking case has been registered at any police station.
The legislation is expected to be tabled in the Assembly ahead of Panchayat elections scheduled before May 31 and would come into force upon the Governor's assent.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has positioned the move as part...