CM Sukhu Directs Officials to Prioritize MLA Demands for Timely Completion of Key Projects.
MLAs from Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Lahaul-Spiti present their priorities for 2025-26 annual budget.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during a high-level meeting with MLAs from Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Lahaul-Spiti districts, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the MLA’s development requests for the 2025-26 annual budget. He instructed government officials to ensure the timely completion of these projects by focusing on obtaining necessary forest clearances and gift deeds, which are essential for the progress of these initiatives.
The Chief Minister highlighted the state government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy and improving the livelihoods of the state’s predominantly rural population, with 90% of Himachal Pradesh’s people residing in villages. “We are focused on introducing new schemes to make Himachal a self-reliant state. To overcome the debt burden, we must focus on financial independence,” Sukhu said.
Notable initiatives already launched by the state government include the support price for milk, with the state purchasing cow milk at Rs. 45 per liter and buffalo milk at Rs. 55 per liter. Additionally, maize produced through natural farming is bought at Rs. 30 per kg, while wheat fetches Rs. 40 per kg. The state also introduced “Himbhog” Atta, produced from naturally grown maize. Furthermore, an e-commerce platform has been launched to promote rural women entrepreneurs, particularly those in self-help groups.
The Chief Minister added that the Land Ceiling Act has been amended, granting equal rights to daughters in ancestral property. Orphaned children have also been recognized as “Children of the State” and are being sent on exposure visits to enhance their learning experiences.
In a push for balanced development across all constituencies, the CM shared that NABARD had sanctioned Rs. 1,691 crore for 251 projects over the last two years. He urged the officials to ensure these projects are fast-tracked without delay, underscoring that strict action would be taken against those responsible for unnecessary holdups in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process.
During the meeting, MLAs from various districts raised their concerns and presented their demands:
- Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi requested expedited construction of the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and proposed spaces for women self-help groups to sell their products. He also urged the construction of a ropeway in the region.
- Nalagarh MLA Bawa Hardeep Singh asked for faster completion of the Pinjore-Baddi and Baddi-Nalagarh roads, alongside strong actions against the drug and illegal mining mafias.
- Doon MLA Chaudhary Ram Kumar requested improvements in infrastructure, including roads, water supply, healthcare, and electricity, along with the swift construction of the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School.
- Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri emphasized the need for road connections to scheduled caste-dominated villages and the development of Kaushalya Dam to boost tourism and employment.
- Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayyar expressed gratitude for the Rs. 170 crore allocated to Chamba Medical College and urged the completion of key infrastructure projects, including the heliport and tourism facilities.
- Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana highlighted the region’s tourism potential, advocating for the development of winter sports and securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Seabuckthorn. She also raised concerns about the rising number of landslides and called for comprehensive mitigation plans.
The meeting also saw contributions from Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, who provided their recommendations for the ongoing development initiatives.
In attendance were Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, administrative secretaries, Deputy Commissioners, and Heads of Departments, all working to address the MLAs’ demands in an efficient and timely manner.
