Chitta Smugglers Barred from Himachal Panchayat Elections: Minister Anirudh Singh

• Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh announced that chitta smugglers will be barred from contesting Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh.
• A proposal for this ban will be presented at the cabinet meeting on January 19.
• Properties acquired through chitta trade will be demolished, and anti-chitta Gram Sabhas will be held on January 21 and 22.
• Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu outlined a multi-pronged strategy including awareness campaigns, sports tournaments, and educational chapters.
• Around 234 panchayats in Himachal Pradesh are affected by chitta, with intelligence and police forces targeting the network.

Why It Matters: Himachal Pradesh is taking strict measures to combat chitta, including banning smugglers from elections.