CM announces hike in Van Mitras’ honorarium to Rs 12,000.

Shimla:

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced an increase in the monthly honorarium of Van Mitras from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, while launching the State-level Van Mahotsav at Nihari in the Ghumarwin Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district.

The Chief Minister planted a sapling of drumstick (sahjan) on the occasion. As part of the Van Mahotsav campaign, Himachal Pradesh has set a target of planting more than 50 lakh saplings across 7,000 hectares of land.

Later, addressing a public function at Dadhol, Sukhu announced several development initiatives for the area. These included upgrading Bharari Sub-Tehsil to a full-fledged tehsil, creation of two additional posts of doctors at PHC Hatwar, opening of a veterinary dispensary at Tadaun Gram Panchayat and introduction of MBA, MCA and MTA classes at Government College Ghumarwin.

He also announced the introduction of BBA and BCA classes at Government College Ghandawali.

The Chief Minister further announced that August 17, 2026, would be observed as a holiday in all schools across the State in lieu of August 15, as students would attend school on Saturday to participate in Independence Day celebrations.

Government pursuing corruption-free governance: Sukhu

Sukhu said the State had suffered when Himachal Pradesh had a “double-engine” government, alleging that the interests and rights of the State were compromised during that period. He said the present government was committed to providing a corruption-free administration and warned that strict action would be taken against those found involved in corruption.

“Assets acquired through corruption would be confiscated and utilised for the welfare of the poor,” he said.

Highlighting reforms in education and healthcare, Sukhu said the government had appointed more than 6,000 teachers to address staff shortages, while another 4,000 teachers would be recruited in the coming period. More than 150 CBSE schools had been opened to improve the quality of education, while Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools were being constructed across the State.

He described “Vyavastha Parivartan” or systemic change as the process of implementing schemes after understanding the problems and needs of people, even without them having to demand such facilities.

“I studied in a government school like many of you, and therefore I understand the problems of the common man,” the Chief Minister said.

Focus on farmers and rural economy

Sukhu said the State Government was promoting natural farming and providing minimum support price (MSP) to strengthen the rural economy and improve the financial condition of farmers, particularly in lower Himachal.

He said farmers could earn up to Rs 1 lakh annually from one bigha by cultivating turmeric through natural farming methods. The government, he added, would further increase investment in the rural economy in the coming years.

Rs 8.50 lakh compensation for fully damaged houses

Referring to the disasters that have affected the State, the Chief Minister said more than 23,000 houses had been damaged and the entire Council of Ministers had stood with affected families during the crisis.

He said compensation for completely destroyed houses had been increased from Rs 7 lakh in 2023 to Rs 8.50 lakh.

Sukhu alleged that none of the BJP MPs or MLAs had approached the Central Government seeking assistance despite the Prime Minister announcing Rs 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh in 2025 to mitigate the sufferings of disaster-affected families.

Government highlights financial and power-related claims

The Chief Minister said the Congress government was firmly pursuing the interests of Himachal Pradesh. He said the State had won the Wildflower Hall case, resulting in Rs 450 crore being secured for Himachal Pradesh, while the government was now earning around Rs 20 crore annually from the property.

On the Kishau power project, Sukhu said the agreement, if finalised during the BJP regime, could have caused losses to the State. He said Himachal Pradesh had saved around Rs 800 crore, while Uttarakhand was having to pay for electricity projects.

He also said the State Government was pursuing its claim for Rs 7,200 crore in arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He said the Supreme Court had delivered a judgment on the issue around 15 years ago and had now asked Punjab to clarify its position. The State Government would decide its next strategy after Punjab presents its stand on August 20, he added.

Sukhu defends restoration of OPS

The Chief Minister said the State Government had restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to safeguard the interests of employees. He alleged that the Centre subsequently withheld financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore to Himachal Pradesh and was now pressuring the State to implement the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

On healthcare reforms, Sukhu said modern medical equipment had been installed at AIMSS Chamiyana and medical colleges in Shimla, Tanda and Nerchowk. Technology was being used on the lines of AIIMS, Delhi, while robotic surgery facilities had also been introduced in medical colleges.

He also alleged that irregularities had taken place in the Himcare scheme during the previous BJP regime and claimed that around Rs 450 crore had been paid to private hospitals under the scheme.

Dharmani highlights government welfare schemes

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said Chief Minister Sukhu had undergone a long political struggle and had served for extended periods in NSUI, Youth Congress and the Congress organisation.

He said Sukhu was the first Chief Minister to make the welfare of orphaned children a priority by adopting them as “Children of the State” soon after assuming office.

Dharmani said the State Government had introduced schemes for fishermen and was taking complete responsibility for the education of children of widows. Meritorious students were being provided loans of up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest rate of one per cent, while MSP and natural farming initiatives were being used to improve the economic condition of farmers.

He said subsidies had also been provided for e-taxis and buses to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth.

Referring to political developments in other states, Dharmani said “Operation Lotus” had succeeded in several states but had failed in Himachal Pradesh because of the people’s mandate.

He said the State Government had extended full support to disaster-affected families and thanked the Chief Minister for providing funds for a sports hostel in Ghumarwin.

Several senior Congress leaders and officials were present at the functions, including former Minister Prakash Chaudhary, former MLAs Bambar Thakur and Tilak Raj Sharma, Congress leader Vivek Kumar, HP Forest Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Kehar Singh Khachi, Saksham Gudiya Board Chairperson Aruna Mahajan, Mahila Congress President Tripta Thakur, District Congress President Anjana Dhiman, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjay Sood, APMC Mandi Chairman Sanjay Guleria and Vice-Chairman Rakesh Kumar, among others.