Government Prioritizes Strengthening Education and Healthcare Infrastructure, Says CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today emphasized that strengthening infrastructure in education and healthcare remains a core priority of the state government. Speaking during a budget priority meeting with MLAs from Shimla and Mandi districts, CM Sukhu outlined the government’s commitment to addressing future challenges and ensuring Himachal Pradesh’s self-reliance.
During the meeting, which was the second day of MLA priority discussions, Sukhu highlighted the key role that MLAs play in regional development due to their strong grassroots representation. He assured them that their proposals would be prioritized in the upcoming state budget.
Sukhu reaffirmed that education and healthcare are central to the government’s agenda. He noted that significant progress had already been made in these sectors, including modernizing healthcare with advanced technology and tackling staff shortages through recruitment drives. Sukhu criticized the previous government for focusing on politically motivated institution openings without adequate facilities, leading to a decline in service quality.
The Chief Minister also discussed the government’s strategy to foster industrial growth while maintaining the state’s natural beauty. This includes promoting environmentally sustainable industries such as tourism, dairy farming, IT, and food processing. Additionally, he assured improvements to the Rohru-Chirgaon road and announced the allocation of funds for the Kurpan drinking water scheme, urging completion by April 30, 2025. He also instructed the Agriculture and Forest Departments to explore the potential for bamboo-based industries in Gagret.
MLAs from Shimla and Mandi raised various development issues during the meeting. Kuldeep Singh Rathore, MLA from Theog, expressed gratitude for the Rs. 3 crore allocation for the ice-skating rink in Narkanda. He called for road improvements, including a tunnel to Narkanda and a Narkanda-Hatu ropeway. He also criticized the Union Budget for not fulfilling promises, including the expected 100 percent import duty on apples, but praised the state’s introduction of universal cartons for apples, benefiting orchardists.
Mohan Lal Brakta, MLA from Rohru, commended the government’s developmental efforts and advocated for solutions to traffic congestion on the Kufri-Dhali road and increased funding for the remote Rohru constituency. He also requested a Critical Care Centre in Rohru, a bypass road for both Rohru and Chirgaon, and the promotion of tourism in Chanshal.
Rampur MLA Nand Lal focused on the drug-related issues in his constituency, appreciating the government’s success in dismantling drug mafias. He also called for the establishment of a vegetable market, trauma center, ITI in Sarahan, and a sub-tehsil in Ganvi. Lal urged the development of ropeways to boost tourism in Rampur.
Chandershekhar, MLA from Dharampur, expressed disappointment over the absence of BJP MLAs from the meeting, accusing them of neglecting Mandi district’s development. He requested government support for bamboo cultivation, fish farming, and sericulture. He also suggested the development of Kamalah Fort as a tourist attraction and the use of bio-engineering techniques to prevent landslides.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, as well as administrative secretaries and department heads.
