India, July 10 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has stayed two state government notifications that diverted a portion of the Local Area Development Fund (LADF)-generated from hydroelectric projects-to provide financial assistance to orphans.

A division bench, comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Bipin C Negi, issued the interim order on Thursday during the hearing of a public interest litigation challenging the validity of notifications issued on September 23, 2025, and March 18, 2026. The directives earmarked 10% and subsequently 40% of total LADF collections for the social justice and empowerment department to assist orphans.

Janak Raj, the BJP MLA of the Pangi-Bharmaur constituency in Chamba district, moved the high ...