Over 300 instances of breaches of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, are currently being examined by the State Revenue Department. This includes notable projects like the Chester Hills housing development in Solan, and the scrutiny covers the period from January 1, 2023, to January 31, 2026.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi announced that the government has requested comprehensive reports from all districts regarding these cases. “We have instructed all deputy commissioners to update us on the status of these matters,” he stated in an interview with The Indian Express. Senior officials from the Revenue Department indicated that the issues at hand pertain to real estate, commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, particularly involving non-agriculturists who have sought permission to acquire land under Section 118. “All deputy commissioners, who hold the authority to grant or oversee permissions under this section, have been ordered to provide updated reports on both pending and approved applications,” they noted.

Sources within the department reported that some districts requested additional time, citing their involvement in preparations for the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution elections.

Data presented in the Assembly during the recent Budget Session in response to a prominent inquiry revealed that a total of 2,354 applications under Section 118 were filed across the state during the specified timeframe. Out of these, 1,494 applications received approval, 12 were denied, while a notable 849 cases remain unresolved, highlighting a considerable backlog in administration.

In a related development, the ongoing debate regarding the Chester Hills housing project gained momentum on Saturday, as the state’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) defended its approval process. This came after Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta requested a detailed account concerning alleged negligence in addressing violations associated with the project.

On April 9, 2026, Gupta addressed a letter to RERA chairperson R D Dhiman, demanding a factual report within 15 days. He sought clarification on whether there had been “willful inaction” by officials in response to complaints regarding violations of Section 118, which governs land transfers to non-agriculturists.

Saurabh Parashar serves as an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, focusing on the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. With over 17 years of experience in print journalism, he specializes in crime, legal matters, and investigative reporting.

In terms of educational qualifications, he holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla. His legal expertise enriches his reporting on complex judicial and administrative issues.

Before his tenure at The Indian Express, which began in 2017, Parashar worked for 12 years with The Times of India. His main areas of focus include the socio-political dynamics of the region, with particular attention to environmental issues, forest conservation, the drug crisis, tribal affairs, and the unique governance challenges in high-altitude areas.

Recent articles authored by Parashar demonstrate the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh:

• “Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable” (Late 2025): An investigation into the impact of drug transit routes on local youth.
• “Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe” (Nov 17, 2025): Discussing environmental implications based on a 2021 assessment by the Forest Survey of India.
• “Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway” (Nov 18, 2025): Examining the implications of land classification on regulatory permissions.
• “How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region” (Aug 18, 2025): Exploring the cultural significance of fraternal polyandry within local tribal communities.

In the realm of legal and agricultural affairs, Parashar reported on significant issues such as a Supreme Court ruling favorable to farmers regarding orchards on forest land and the Himachal Cabinet’s approval of a new tourism policy aimed at promoting home-stays in tribal regions.

His coverage also includes governance and environmental challenges, such as the state’s pursuit for more flexibility from the Centre on forest rights and the resilience of remote villages following disaster recovery efforts.

Notably, Parashar has also reported on crime trends, including a high-profile cryptocurrency fraud case that implicated various individuals, including a conman and retired police personnel.

Saurabh Parashar is recognized for his thorough reporting on the state’s ongoing drug crisis, leveraging his deep understanding of the local geography and tribal culture to cover remote areas often neglected by mainstream media. His legal knowledge positions him as an authority on the intricacies of the Himachal Pradesh governance landscape.