Breaking: Himachal Pradesh restricts officials’ leave; Govt tours ahead of Winter Assembly session
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), November 9, 2026: The Himachal Pradesh government has restricted leave and official tours of government officers and employees from November 10 to 21 ahead of the state Assembly’s winter session, directing officials handling legislative business to remain available and work beyond regular office hours if required.
The instructions require concerned officers to keep their mobile phones switched on round the clock and remain accessible through WhatsApp and office landlines. Officials may also be called to work on Sundays and gazetted holidays to ensure that Assembly-related assignments are completed on time.
The six-day winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be held at Tapovan in Dharamshala from November 16 to 21, with six sittings planned.
During the preparatory period, departments have been asked to ensure that replies to legislators’ questions, reports and other information sought by the Assembly are prepared and submitted within the prescribed deadlines.
According to the directions, at least one responsible officer from every branch and section of each department must remain present in the office until 7 pm every day. Officials handling Assembly-related work may be required to continue working beyond normal office hours.
The restrictions also cover proposed official tours. Department heads, directors, additional and joint directors, deputy directors, district-level officers and executive engineers have been directed not to leave their headquarters or stations without prior permission from the competent authority.
Leave during the November 10-21 period will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as emergencies or serious medical reasons, and with prior approval from the competent authority.
The departments have also been instructed to prepare replies to starred and unstarred questions, calling-attention motions and short-duration discussions. The government has warned that delays or negligence in providing information may invite disciplinary action.
The measures are aimed at ensuring the availability of administrative officers and timely preparation of government responses during the Assembly session.