Shimla, Sept. 28 -- Facing mounting criticism on social media and political backlash, Himachal Pradesh health minister Dr (Col) Dhaniram Shandil has postponed his proposed foreign visit along with a 10-member delegation of health department officials. The trip, originally scheduled from October 2 to October 11, had sparked controversy after reports emerged that the minister's son was included in the list of travellers at government expense, prompting opposition parties to question its necessity amid the state's disaster situation.

The BJP raised objections, with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur questioning the foreign trip at a time when the state was grappling with losses due to recent monsoon rains. Thakur took to social media to cr...