CM Sukhu Stands Firm on BBMB Dues Before Kishau Water Release; Announces Major Development Projects in Banjar. 

Banjar (Kullu):

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu declared on today that the state government would release water from the Kishau Dam only after pending BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) arrears are cleared by the neighbouring states. Addressing a massive public gathering at Dehuri in Banjar, during his two-day tour of Kullu district, the Chief Minister made it clear that Delhi and Haryana must first settle the 14-year-old dues before any cooperation on water sharing moves forward.

“We are not against sharing water, but our rightful dues must be paid first. Let the neighbouring states file an affidavit in the Supreme Court promising payment. Himachal Pradesh’s interests come first,” said CM Sukhu.

Major Announcements for Banjar: Day Boarding School and Milk Processing Plant

In a significant push for rural education and agricultural value addition, CM Sukhu announced:

• A Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School based on the CBSE curriculum for Banjar.
• A milk processing unit with a 10,000-litre daily capacity, aimed at boosting the local dairy economy.

“These are not symbolic institutions; we are committed to quality. Our focus is on appointing trained teachers and improving facilities, not just laying foundation stones,” he said.

He also reiterated the government’s education reforms, including:

• Creation of the Directorate of School Education (Class 1 to 12).
• Introduction of English-medium classes in government schools.
• Holistic improvement in infrastructure and academic quality across rural areas.

Sharp Criticism of Previous BJP Government

CM Sukhu strongly criticized former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, accusing him of “squandering public wealth” and distributing Rs 5,000 crore worth of electoral freebies without backing them with real infrastructure or staff.

“The previous regime opened institutions without staffing them. It led to a fall in education standards. Our government is fixing what was broken,” he said.

He also took aim at BJP leaders for making baseless corruption allegations and claimed the party was now splintered into five factions. “They ignored the people even during the devastating 2023 natural disaster, while our government stood by the victims and changed policies to help them,” he added.

Disaster Relief, Farmer Support, and Rural Development

Highlighting the government’s disaster response in Kullu, CM Sukhu shared that the state helped rehabilitate 223 completely and 853 partially damaged houses in the region after the 2023 floods. Compensation was significantly increased:

• From Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh for completely damaged houses.
• From Rs 0.5 lakh to Rs 1 lakh for partially damaged houses.

Other farmer- and rural-focused reforms included:

• Increased support price for cow milk from Rs 32 to Rs 51 per litre, and for buffalo milk from Rs 47 to Rs 61 per litre.
• Minimum support price for maize grown through natural farming set at Rs 40/kg and wheat at Rs 60/kg.
• A transport subsidy of Rs 2 per litre for dairy farmers.

Additionally, a Rs 100 crore budget has been allocated under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, ensuring the participation of Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals in afforestation efforts.

Banjar: A Priority Region for Development

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur and Chairman of APMC Kullu Ram Singh Mian praised the Chief Minister for prioritizing Banjar and Kullu. They lauded his hands-on leadership during the disaster and his initiatives in promoting e-vehicles, environmental protection, and rural upliftment.

“CM Sukhu began his political journey in Banjar. His emotional and developmental commitment to this land is evident,” said MLA Thakur.

Dignitaries Present

Several senior officials and local leaders were present, including:

• MLAs Bhuvneshwar Gaur and Vidya Negi
• Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur
• Congress leader Ses Ram Azad
• District Council Chairman Pankaj Parmar
• Former Minister Khimi Ram Sharma
• Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish

The Chief Minister’s visit formed part of the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme, a campaign aimed at direct grassroots governance, where cabinet members visit rural regions to address local grievances and deliver on development promises.

#HimachalFirst: No Compromise on State’s Rights

The Chief Minister’s address made one thing crystal clear—Himachal Pradesh’s rights and resources will not be compromised under his leadership. With a focus on accountability, education, sustainable agriculture, and rural development, the current administration appears set on a course of structural reforms rather than populist gestures.