CM Launches Six New Schemes to Mark Two Years of State Government’s Tenure.
Shimla:
In a grand event at Luhnu Ground of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu marked the completion of two years of the present state government by launching six new schemes and distributing financial assistance to beneficiaries. The initiatives aim to promote sustainable farming, empower marginalized communities, and boost local economies.
Among the key announcements, the Chief Minister introduced “Him Bhog Atta,” a product made from maize cultivated through natural farming practices. The government has procured 398 metric tonnes of maize from 1,506 farmers in 10 districts, with Rs. 1.20 crore directly credited to their bank accounts. This initiative is part of a broader push to encourage natural farming across the state. With Himachal Pradesh offering the highest support prices for wheat and maize in the country, the initiative engages over 1.98 lakh farmers, covering 35,000 hectares. Furthermore, the state plans to enroll 36,000 new farmers in the Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Start-up Scheme this year under the Rs. 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Scheme.
In another significant move to support small farmers and livestock owners, Chief Minister Sukhu launched a scheme to purchase organic compost and vermin-compost at a rate of Rs. 300 per quintal. This was complemented by direct financial aid, with Rs. 1 lakh transferred to 100 farmers to further strengthen rural economies and enhance agricultural productivity.
The Chief Minister also distributed keys to 16 electric taxi owners as part of the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023. Under this scheme, the state government provides a 50 percent subsidy for purchasing e-taxis, which are leased to government offices for five years, ensuring a stable income for the taxi owners. The first phase of the program aims to issue permits to around 150 e-taxi owners.
Further strengthening the state’s social welfare programs, CM Sukhu launched the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, disbursing Rs. 1.38 crore to 5,145 beneficiaries across the state. The scheme focuses on the education and well-being of children from vulnerable families, including widows, destitute women, and disabled parents. It provides Rs. 1,000 per month for children under 18 years and financial assistance for higher education. With a yearly budget of Rs. 53.21 crore, the scheme aims to prevent child exploitation and support marginalized families.
In a bid to enhance horticultural development, CM Sukhu launched the Rs. 1,292 crore Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva), which will span seven districts. The project, which covers 6,000 hectares, will promote the cultivation of fruits such as oranges, guavas, litchis, and plums. The initiative is expected to directly benefit over 15,000 farming families and generate an annual fruit production of 1.3 lakh metric tonnes by 2032, with a market value of Rs. 400 crore.
Lastly, the Chief Minister flagged off five mobile Ayush healthcare units aimed at improving healthcare access in remote tribal regions, including Kinnaur, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba, and Shillai block in Sirmaur district. Each mobile unit will be staffed by experienced medical teams offering Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy treatments, tailored to the local needs.
During the event, Sukhu also extended financial aid under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana (MMSAY), amounting to Rs. 1.90 crore for 197 beneficiaries in Bilaspur district. This includes pensions for 153 children, housing grants for 17 beneficiaries, and financial support for marriage, higher education, vocational training, and start-up assistance for various other beneficiaries.
These initiatives underscore the state government’s commitment to sustainable development, rural empowerment, and social welfare as it marks two years of governance.
