CM Sukhu Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Himachal’s Interests, Says Benefits of Development Must Reach the Poor.
CM dedicates and lays foundation stones of projects worth Rs. 48 crore in Kasumpti; assures sympathetic consideration of Zila Parishad employees’ demands.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday reiterated his government’s firm commitment to safeguarding the rights, resources and interests of Himachal Pradesh, asserting that the State would continue to pursue every possible measure to protect its long-term economic interests and ensure that the benefits of development reach the poor and vulnerable sections of society.
The Chief Minister was addressing a public gathering in Kasumpti after dedicating and laying the foundation stones of various development projects worth around ₹48 crore in the Shimla district constituency.
As part of the development programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Block Development Office building at Mashobra. He also laid the foundation stones for the HPPWD Division Office at Bhattakufar, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6 crore; the HPPWD Sub-Division Office at Baldeyan, Mashobra, at a cost of Rs. 3.64 crore; and a new ITI building at Mashobra, estimated to cost Rs. 12 crore.
A foundation stone was also laid for a link road project costing nearly Rs. 22 crore, which is aimed at improving road connectivity and facilitating better movement of people and goods in the constituency.
‘Government committed to protecting State’s resources’
Addressing the gathering, Sukhu said the Congress government was committed to protecting the interests and resources of the people of Himachal Pradesh. He alleged that the previous BJP government had weakened the State’s assets and claimed that nearly 5,000 bighas of land in Baddi had been allotted to industrialists at throwaway prices under the guise of industrial packages.
Referring to the natural disasters that affected Himachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister said more than 23,000 houses were damaged across the State. He said the government responded with compassion and urgency and remained on the ground to provide timely relief and assistance to affected families.
He said the government would continue to work with a focus on protecting the interests of the State and its people, particularly those who had been economically and socially disadvantaged.
Major gains in protection of State’s rights and resources
The Chief Minister highlighted several matters in which he said the government had taken a firm stand to safeguard Himachal Pradesh’s interests.
He said the State had secured a significant legal victory in the Wildflower Hall case and had also ensured an 18 per cent free power share from JSW, while protecting the State’s interests.
He further said that the government had adopted a firm and principled approach on the Kishau Project and had safeguarded Himachal Pradesh’s interests in the project. The arrangement, he said, was expected to provide an additional annual benefit of resources Rs. 600 crore to the State.
The Chief Minister said his government would continue to pursue every legitimate claim and would not compromise when it came to the rights and resources of Himachal Pradesh.
“We will continue to make every possible effort to secure the rightful share of Himachal Pradesh and protect the State’s long-term interests,” he said.
1.75 lakh poor families identified for ‘Apna Parivar-Sukhi Parivar Yojana’
CM Sukhu said a comprehensive survey had identified around 1.75 lakh poor families in Himachal Pradesh. The State government, he said, would soon launch the ‘Apna Parivar-Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of these families.
He also announced that the government was preparing a new scheme to provide health insurance coverage to nearly 10 lakh eligible families.
The proposed initiatives, he said, were aimed at strengthening social security and ensuring that economically weaker families receive greater support from the government.
Rural economy remains a major priority
Emphasising the importance of rural development, the Chief Minister said nearly 80 per cent of Himachal Pradesh’s population lives in rural areas and that strengthening the rural economy remained one of the government’s key priorities.
He said the government was implementing various welfare and development programmes to increase income opportunities for rural residents and ensure that a greater share of economic benefits reaches people living in villages.
The Chief Minister also highlighted initiatives in the education sector. He said around 150 government schools had been brought under the CBSE curriculum with the objective of improving the quality of education, particularly in rural areas.
According to him, the initiative had contributed to an increase of nearly 24,000 students in enrolment. He said vacant teaching posts were being filled on priority and that Rs. 87 crore had been released to strengthen these schools and improve educational infrastructure.
Advanced healthcare facilities being expanded
Speaking about the healthcare expansion, CM Sukhu said the government was taking steps to make advanced medical facilities available within Himachal Pradesh.
He said 3 Tesla MRI machines were being installed in government medical colleges and that robotic surgery facilities had also been introduced.
He added that vacant posts in health institutions were being filled on priority to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve medical services for the people of the State.
Properties acquired through corruption to be confiscated
Reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Chief Minister said that properties acquired through corrupt practices would be confiscated and distributed among the poor.
He said individuals possessing disproportionate assets would also be required to explain the legitimate sources of their wealth.
“Property acquired through corrupt practices will be confiscated and distributed among the poor,” the Chief Minister said, asserting that the government would continue to take measures to promote transparency and accountability.
Zila Parishad employees assured of sympathetic consideration
The Chief Minister also assured Zila Parishad employees that all aspects of their demands would be examined sympathetically.
He said the government would make sincere efforts to address their genuine concerns after examining the issues involved.
The assurance came as the State government continues to engage with employees and local government institutions on matters concerning their service conditions and responsibilities.
CBSE school, X-ray machine announced for Mashobra
During the programme, the Chief Minister announced the opening of a CBSE school at Mashobra, financial assistance for construction of the PWD Division and Sub-Division office buildings, and the provision of an X-ray machine for the area.
He said the government was committed to strengthening basic infrastructure and improving access to education, healthcare and public services in rural and semi-urban areas.
137 vehicles flagged off for rural waste management
Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off 137 vehicles under the first phase of the State’s rural solid waste management initiative.
The vehicles will provide door-to-door waste collection services in rural areas, with the objective of making waste management more efficient, scientific and environmentally sustainable. CM Sukhu said around 700 additional vehicles would be deployed during the next phase. These vehicles would be operated by Gram Panchayats to further strengthen sanitation and solid waste management across rural Himachal Pradesh.
Kasumpti development worth over ₹500 crore: Anirudh Singh
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said Kasumpti Assembly Constituency had witnessed unprecedented development under the present Congress government.
He said projects worth more than Rs. 500 crore had either been completed or were currently under execution in the constituency.
He further said that more than 120 roads had been approved under the Forest Rights Act in the area.
Highlighting the government’s initiative to construct modern Panchayat Ghars, Anirudh Singh said the model was being developed in accordance with the Chief Minister’s vision and had received appreciation from other States, with several now seeking to emulate the initiative.
The Minister also alleged that despite the State government fulfilling its commitments towards government employees, Himachal Pradesh had not received adequate financial assistance from the Centre.
He claimed that Rs. 1,500 crore in financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister had not yet been released, while several central grants due to the State had also been withheld.
He further asserted that development in the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency had largely been driven by Congress governments.
Senior officials and public representatives attend
The programme was attended by MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, Deputy Convenor of the Nasha Nivaran Board Sanjay Thakur, Vice Chairman of HIMUDA Yashwant Chhajta, Advisor to the State Agricultural Marketing Board Narender Singh Thakur, Chairman Kailash Federation Baldev Thakur, Director Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Raghav Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh, besides other public representatives, senior officers and dignitaries.
Reiterating his government’s priorities, Chief Minister Sukhu said the State would continue to focus on protecting Himachal Pradesh’s resources and rights, strengthening rural infrastructure, expanding welfare measures, improving public services and ensuring that development remains people-centric and inclusive.
