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3 min readShimlaMar 7, 2026 04:26 AM IST
Congress's Rajya Sabha candidate Anurag Sharma with Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Friday. (Express)
Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh Anurag Sharma was awarded construction contracts worth nearly Rs 16 crore in the past two years.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD) in Kangra gave him contracts worth Rs 15.98 crore from September 2024 to February 2026.
Two projects worth Rs 12 crore were awarded to him on a single day — February 12 this year. The works include Rs 2.52 crore worth construction of retaining wall under Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) and Rs 10 crore worth construction of 85-m single-lane motorable bridge.
This was revealed in Sharma’s election affidavit which he filed on Thursday after the Congress nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. The affidavit also mentions his profession as a government contractor and transporter.
As per the affidavit, he was awarded contracts worth around Rs 23.62 crore between 2019 and 2026. According to the affidavit, Sharma, who is also president of District Congress Committee Kangra, has been executing a number of road and bridge construction works under different schemes, including NABARD, Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and other departmental projects, primarily in the Baijnath and Jogindernagar divisions of the HPPWD.
When asked, Sharma said that he has been in the business of contracts since 2003. “My father and grandfather were also contractors. I am a Class A contractor. It is not that I have started receiving contracts in the last three years, five years or nine years. Whatever contracts I received, I completed these contracts as per the conditions and rules. It is my profession. Apart from this, I am also a passionate sportsperson. I am very keen to promote adventure games including paragliding, mountain biking etc in Dhauladhar area of Kangra.”
Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Adviser to CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said that Sharma is a self-made man. “Being a contractor is not something wrong. Whatever he disclosed in his affidavit, he disclosed it honestly. I don’t know about how many contracts were given to him but I know he is not someone who can be described as a ‘big contractor’. He is a simple Congress worker who is going to rise to the rank of Rajya Sabha MP. Rahul Gandhi ji says that it is the era of youths especially of Youth Congress workers.”
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Sharma, who has been also National Youth Congress leader, has also been executing maintenance contracts under PMGSY incentive schemes. These include DLP maintenance of the Baijnath to Ghandhigram Upperla road awarded on September 11, 2024, at a cost of Rs 110.79 lakh. The work includes initial rectification, repair of potholes and drains, periodic renewal and post-maintenance. DLP maintenance of the Baijnath to Dhanag road under PMGSY Incentive 2025–26 awarded on August 5, 2025, at a cost of Rs 53.62 lakh. Construction work has been completed and the maintenance phase is ongoing.
Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More
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