Himachal Day Celebrated for the First Time in Remote Pangi Valley: CM Unveils Major Development Initiatives.

Killar (Pangi Valley):

In a landmark moment for the state, the 78th State-Level Himachal Day was celebrated for the first time in the remote and scenic Killar region of Pangi Valley in Chamba district on Tuesday. The occasion, marked by cultural pride and strategic announcements, witnessed a massive turnout at the helipad ground, symbolizing a new chapter in the inclusive development of tribal and remote regions of Himachal Pradesh.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing the gathering, paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the first Chief Minister of the state Dr. Y.S. Parmar for their pivotal role in the state’s journey to statehood. The CM unfurled the National Flag and received the ceremonial salute at the Himachal Day parade, featuring six contingents led by senior officers including IPS officer Ravi Nandan.

Key Announcements and Highlights:

Boost to Power Infrastructure:

To address power woes in the valley, the CM announced a Rs. 45.50 crore project for laying a 33 KV line from Thirot to Killar and an 11 KV line from Tindi to Shaur at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. He said the government is working on Rs. 62 crore worth of power projects in the area.

Natural Farming Push:

In a significant agricultural reform, Pangi Sub-division was declared Himachal’s first “Natural Farming Sub-division.” A Rs. 5 crore revolving fund was announced to support this transformation, and a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 60 per kg was fixed for naturally grown barley. He also revealed plans for a milk processing plant with 10,000 litres capacity in the region.

Improved Road Connectivity:

The Udaipur-Killar road has been prioritized by the state government, with the tender process nearing completion. The CM instructed Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti administrations to fast-track the project to improve year-round accessibility.

Transportation and Tourism Development:

The CM announced 20 new bus permits for the valley and a 40% subsidy on bus purchases, along with a 4-month exemption from road tax. In a boost to rural tourism, a 50% waiver on homestay registration fees in Pangi was also declared.

Healthcare and Education Upgrades:

Killar’s Civil Hospital will be developed into an Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan, and a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School will be opened in the valley. State-wide, Rs. 1570 crore is being invested to procure advanced medical equipment, with PET Scan and MRI machines being installed in IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College soon.

Support for Farmers and Green Energy Goals:

Under the Agriculture Interest Subvention Scheme, farmers with loans up to Rs. 3 lakh will get 50% interest support from the government. The MSP for cow milk has been raised to Rs. 51/litre and buffalo milk to Rs. 61/litre. In a step towards the Green Energy State mission (target: March 31, 2026), tribal residents will get a 5% interest subsidy for installing solar plants (250 kW to 1 MW).

Employment Through Environment Conservation:

With a Rs. 100 crore provision under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, the CM said women and youth groups would receive Rs. 6.40 lakh over 5 years to protect forests while creating employment.

Law & Governance Reforms:

For the first time, Rajasva Lok Adalats have been held, resolving over 2.75 lakh land and revenue cases. The education department has been restructured, separating the responsibilities of school and higher education directorates for better governance.

Anti-Drug Crackdown:

The CM announced that a special task force will be created to tackle the drug menace, headed by a senior police officer. The Anti Narcotics Task Force is also being strengthened as part of a state-wide mission to dismantle drug networks.

Honours and Recognition:

Highlighting recent achievements, the CM shared that Himachal Pradesh was recognized by India Today Group for excellence in tourism:

Bir Billing was awarded ‘Best Adventure Destination’
Dharamshala won ‘Best Mountain Destination’
Himachal also bagged three National Panchayat Awards, with Sikander Panchayat (Hamirpur) winning 2nd place under the Water-Sufficient Panchayats category.

Dignitaries Present:

The event was attended by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLAs Sunder Thakur and Neeraj Nayyar, HP Cooperative Bank Chairman Devender Shyam, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, DGP Dr. Atul Verma, and other senior officials.

A Historic Step Forward

This first-ever celebration of Himachal Day in Pangi symbolizes the state government’s commitment to inclusive development and addressing regional disparities. As CM Sukhu stated, “This is a tribute to the resilience of Pangi and the beginning of a new era of progress for our tribal regions.”