CM Sukhu Announces Relaxation in ‘Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar’ Scheme, Major Development Projects for Balh in Mandi.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced a series of welfare measures and development projects for the Balh Assembly constituency of Mandi district during a public meeting at Kansa Chowk. He also announced changes in the eligibility criteria for the ‘Mukhya Mantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, including removal of the mandatory one-day MGNREGA work requirement and an increase in the annual family income ceiling from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 75,000.
Under the revised criteria, women above the age of 21 who meet the eligibility conditions will be provided a monthly pension of Rs. 1,500, the Chief Minister said.
Government focused on welfare and self-reliance
Addressing the gathering, Sukhu launched a sharp attack on the previous BJP government, alleging that the then “double-engine” government pushed Himachal Pradesh into a debt trap and failed to properly utilise the financial resources available to the state.
He said Himachal Pradesh received around Rs. 60,000 crore through GST compensation and the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) during the previous BJP tenure, but alleged that the funds were not utilised effectively.
The Chief Minister said the Congress government came to power around 45 months ago with the objective of addressing the problems faced by ordinary citizens. He recalled that one of the first decisions of the Cabinet was restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees.
According to Sukhu, the Centre subsequently stopped financial assistance of around Rs. 1,600 crore to the state following the decision.
He said his government had faced both the natural disaster and the political challenges confronting the state. During the disaster, around 23,000 damaged houses were rebuilt with state government resources, he said.
Sukhu also reiterated his government’s commitment to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant, curbing corruption and ensuring that people receive their entitled benefits. He highlighted welfare measures for employees, pensioners, orphaned children and widows.
Kishau project: CM says Himachal saved Rs. 3,000 crore
Referring to the Kishau Multipurpose Project, Sukhu said his government had firmly protected Himachal Pradesh’s financial and other interests in the project.
He claimed that had the BJP been in power, Himachal Pradesh could have faced an additional financial burden of Rs3,000 crore, similar to what he alleged had happened in Uttarakhand.
Sukhu said that by strongly presenting Himachal’s case, his government had saved the state around Rs. 3,000 crore in expenditure. He added that the project could generate annual revenue of approximately Rs. 1,200 crore to Rs. 1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh in the future.
Milk procurement price increased
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s measures for the dairy sector. He said milk was being procured at Rs. 32 per litre during the previous BJP government, while the present government had increased the procurement price to Rs. 61 per litre for cow’s milk and Rs. 71 per litre for buffalo milk.
He said the procurement price would be increased further in the future.
800 police posts to be filled
Sukhu announced that recruitment to 800 police constable posts would be undertaken soon.
On healthcare infrastructure, he said an MRI machine costing Rs. 23 crore was being installed at Nerchowk Medical College.
He claimed that hospitals had only around 35 per cent of the required staff during the previous BJP government, while the present government had increased staffing to approximately 60 per cent. The government, he said, aimed to take this figure to 80 per cent.
New Jal Shakti, Electricity Board and DSP offices at Nerchowk
The Chief Minister announced several new administrative and infrastructure facilities for Balh.
These include:
A Jal Shakti Department division at Nerchowk.
An Electricity Board division at Nerchowk.
A DSP office at Nerchowk.
Rs. 3 crore for irrigation and drinking-water schemes in Balh.
Rs. 1 crore for a dumping site.
Rs. 50 lakh for repair of Kansa Stadium.
Rs. 3 crore for repair and maintenance of roads under the Public Works Department.
Rs. 60 lakh for metalling and paving of the Ridoo, Nalu and Saryad roads.
Rs. 35,000 each for the Mahila Mandals present at the programme.
A CBSE school at Gurkota from the next academic session.
Sukhu targets Jai Ram Thakur over Mandi development
Sukhu also criticised former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur, alleging that the previous government had neglected most of Mandi district in terms of development, except the Seraj Assembly constituency.
He said the BJP had raised the issue of regionalism during the last Assembly election and won nine of Mandi district’s 10 Assembly seats.
The Chief Minister also alleged that the BJP government had failed to give adequate attention to the rest of the district during its tenure.
On Balh, Sukhu said that had Congress candidate and former minister Prakash Chaudhary won the Assembly election, he would have been a minister in the present state government.
He also alleged that the local BJP MLA had failed to effectively raise the issues of the constituency in the Assembly. Sukhu further referred to factionalism within the BJP and alleged discontent over leaders who had left the Congress and joined the party.
DA instalment likely before Diwali
Sukhu also indicated that a pending instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees would be released soon.
He said employees would be able to celebrate Diwali well this year and claimed that the financial condition of the state was improving.
Prakash Chaudhary welcomes CM
Former minister Prakash Chaudhary welcomed Chief Minister Sukhu to Balh and highlighted various government schemes aimed at women, youth and government employees.
He particularly referred to initiatives involving orphaned children, including sending them abroad for exposure visits, describing these measures as reflective of the government’s approach towards their future.
Chaudhary also alleged that the Central Government was depriving Himachal Pradesh of its rightful financial entitlements. Despite financial constraints, he said, the state government was maintaining financial discipline and accused the BJP of making promises for electoral purposes.
