Shimla, April 3 -- Individuals named in the smuggling of "chitta" (heroin) in Himachal Pradesh will no longer be eligible to contest Panchayat elections. The Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced in the House by panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh was passed in the assembly without any debate. Under this amendment, stringent provisions will also apply to elected panchayat representatives. It any representative is found to be involved in drug smuggling after being elected, and charges are framed against them, their membership will be terminated. The amendment also includes a provision disqualifying individuals who have defaulted on loans from cooperative banks or societies for contesting polls. Furthermore, individuals against whom recovery proceedings are pending following a panchayat audit will also be ineligible to contest. The government's objective is to instil financial discipline within panchayats and to promote representatives with an unblemished public image. Elections are scheduled to be held in approximately 3,600 panchayats across the state before May 31. The reservation roster for these elections is required to be finalized by April 7. The Himachal Pradesh government is considering revision of slogan- "Come to Learn, Go to Serve,"- displayed outside most educational institutions in state. The announcement was made by education minister Rohit Thakur while accepting the suggestion of Congress MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania during Zero Hour. Pathania had suggested that the slogan should be changed to "Come to Learn, Go to Lead", arguing that the existing slogan appeared to berooted in the colonial era and was aimed at fostering asubservient mindset. Pathania said the change would encourage students to aspire to leadership roles rather than merely serving. Responding to the suggestion, Thakur termed it constructive and said the department would examine the proposal....