Himachal CM Announces Special Relief Package for Disaster-Affected Rampur Areas, Pledges Continued Welfare Initiatives. Chief Minister Unveils Compensation for Families Affected by Samej and Bagi Bridge Disasters, Highlights Plans for Infrastructure and Welfare Development.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over the closing ceremony of the four-day long international Lavi fair in Rampur, announced a special relief package for families affected by natural disasters in the Samej and Bagi Bridge areas of Rampur during this year’s rainy season. This relief initiative mirrors the package provided last year, demonstrating the state government’s commitment to disaster recovery and support for affected families.
The Chief Minister stated that families whose homes were completely destroyed in the disaster would now receive Rs. 7 lakh as compensation, a significant increase from the previous Rs. 1.5 lakh. Those with partially damaged homes would be compensated with Rs. 1 lakh. Additionally, the families of individuals who went missing during the disasters would receive financial assistance and death certificates issued by the state government.
“I come from a common family, so I understand the struggles of ordinary people well,” said Chief Minister Sukhu, emphasizing the government’s dedication to supporting affected families. He highlighted that in the previous year, the state government had rehabilitated 23,000 affected families and provided a special economic package of Rs. 4,500 crore, despite receiving no support from the central government.
The Chief Minister also criticized the previous BJP-led government for mismanagement of public funds, stressing that the current administration is closing loopholes in corruption and redirecting resources to welfare initiatives for vulnerable groups such as orphans, widows, and the elderly. He promised that additional welfare schemes would be introduced in the upcoming state budget. Furthermore, he urged affluent families to voluntarily relinquish their subsidy benefits, ensuring that they are directed to those in greater need.
Addressing education and healthcare, Sukhu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving these sectors. He pointed out that the state government has already appointed 3,000 teachers, with plans to hire another 3,000, and is taking steps to enhance healthcare by increasing the number of doctors and paramedical staff to reduce patient referrals.
The Chief Minister also announced that the state government had reinstated the old pension scheme for its employees and begun providing Rs. 1,500 monthly pensions to eligible women. On energy policy, he warned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL) that if it fails to comply with the state’s energy policy, the Himachal Pradesh government would take over key hydroelectric projects, including the 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, 382 MW Sunni, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh projects, with SJVNL given a deadline of January 15, 2025 to meet compliance.
In his address at the Lavi fair, Sukhu acknowledged the cultural significance of the event, which has been celebrated for over 300 years. He expressed his pleasure at attending this year’s fair after missing the previous year’s edition, reinforcing the importance of preserving the state’s cultural heritage.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, who welcomed the Chief Minister, lauded the fair as a symbol of Rampur’s cultural heritage and trade exchange. He praised the Congress-led government for its focus on equitable development and robust disaster response, noting that Rs. 250 crore has been allocated for road projects in Rampur alone.
The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to winners of various departmental exhibitions held during the fair. The Jal Shakti Department won first place in the departmental exhibition, followed by the Health and Family Welfare Department in second and the Animal Husbandry Department in third. In handicraft and handloom exhibitions, prizes were awarded to various artisans from districts including Solan, Kinnaur, Una, and Sangla.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sukhu inaugurated and laid foundation stones for six development projects worth Rs. 31 crore in Rampur, including a Rs. 8.26 crore water supply augmentation project, Rs. 8.68 crore sewerage system in Khaneri, and a Rs. 3.11 crore science lab at Government Secondary School, Khunni. He also laid foundation stones for additional infrastructure projects aimed at improving the region’s facilities and services.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, who is also the Chairman of the International Lavi Fair organizing committee, briefed attendees on the various events and activities held during the fair. Other dignitaries, including APMC Shimla Chairman Devanand Verma and Congress leader Buddhi Singh Thakur, were present at the ceremony.
With a focus on disaster relief, infrastructure development, and social welfare, the Chief Minister’s announcements mark a pivotal step towards enhancing the well-being of the people of Rampur and broader Himachal Pradesh.
