Shimla, April 1 -- Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday clarified that robotic surgery is not currently covered under Ayushman Bharat or Himcare schemes. "Presently there are no provisions of robotic surgery in Ayushman Bharat or under Himcare, as packages are determined by the Centre," said Sukhu. CM's reply came to the query raised during question hour over the introduction of robotic surgery facilities in government medical institutions, with the Opposition questioning its affordability, preparednessand accessibility for poor patients. Raising concerns, members pointed out that robotic surgery-being introduced in institutions such as Chamiyana, Tanda, IGMC Shimla and Nerchowk-remains largely inaccessible to economically weaker sections, highlighting that the cost of a single procedure is estimated at around Rs.1 lakh, while expensive disposable accessories further add to the financial burden. Giving details, Sukhu clarified that: "The cost of the surgery is Rs.1 lakh and we are giving 70% subsidy to the patients of general ward and charging only Rs.30,000." The Opposition also flagged inadequate training of staff, including nurses and operation theatre assistants, were not fully trained. Responding, the CM said that in the first phase, doctors are being trained with support from equipment companies, while training for nurses and OTAs will also be undertaken, with the government bearing the expenses. He added that exposure visits to institutions like AIIMS would be considered. Defending the procurement process, the CM informed the House that two companies participated in the tendering process conducted online. The selected system, comparable to installations at AIIMS, was procured at a cost Rs.1.20 crore lower, with five years of maintenance included. He noted that the matter had also been challenged in the high court, which upheld the government's authority to decide on equipment quality. Raising serious concerns over the impact of proposed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries including the United States, European Union and New Zealand, Congress MLA and AICC spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Himachal assembly recommending that the Centre formulate a comprehensive policy to protectthe state's apple and fruit growers. The resolution, introduced during the ongoing Budget Session, highlighted the potential threat posed by reduced import duties under bilateral trade agreements and their likely adverse impact on over 1.5 lakh apple-growing families in the state. The House adopted the resolution and is expected to forward its recommendations to the Centre, seeking protective measures for the state's horticulture sector. Vehicles plying on sealed and restricted roads in Shimla town without a valid permit could soon face hefty fines under the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was introduced in the state Assembly on Tuesday. The chief minister Introduced the Bill, which proposes stricter penalties and higher permit fees for vehicles entering restricted areas, including the Mall Road. Under the proposed amendments, vehicles found plying on sealed roads without a valid permit would face a fine of Rs.10,000, while those on restricted roads without permission would be fined Rs.5,000. Violation of the terms and conditions of permits would attract a penalty of Rs.2,000. Besides the Mall Road, the road from Navbahar to Ridge, Chora Shimla to the Mall and Ridge, IGMC to Ridge, AG office to CTO and the road from Boulieganj via the Advance Study Centre to Vidhan Sabha are among the sealed and restricted roads in Shimla town. The Bill also proposes a steep hike in permit fees. The annual fee for permits for sealed roads would rise from Rs.2,500 to Rs.10,000, while the fee for daily permits would increase from Rs.200 to Rs.1,000....