CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Announces Upgradation of Barsar Hospital to 100 Beds, Dedicates Rs. 41.52 Crore Development Projects in Barsar.
Hamirpur:
In a major push for infrastructure and healthcare development, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the upgradation of the Barsar Hospital to a 100-bed facility during a massive public rally at Barsar in Hamirpur district. The Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs. 41.52 crore in the Barsar Assembly Constituency.
During his one-day tour, the Chief Minister dedicated the Rs. 17.45 crore Mini Secretariat at Barsar to the public, noting that Rs. 96 crore is being spent on improving the road network in the constituency. He also inaugurated the Rs. 1.34 crore Bumbloo Helipad and the Rs. 1.11 crore Health Sub Centre at Bani, besides laying the foundation stone for the Dhaneta-Barsar road to be built at a cost of Rs. 18.72 crore and a Rs. 2.88 crore check dam on Mann Khad in Barsar tehsil.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare facilities, the Chief Minister announced that Rs. 300 crore is being invested in the Cancer Institute at Hamirpur Medical College. Additionally, Rs. 100 crore will be spent on creating seven specialized departments in the medical college.
The Chief Minister also announced the opening of an indoor stadium and parking facility at Barsar, along with new M.A. and M.Com classes at the local government college. He said solar and high-mast lights would be installed in various gram panchayats and the main market area.
A major announcement included a Rs. 65 crore scheme for the beautification of the revered Baba Balak Nath Temple and its surroundings.
Emphasizing the importance of quality education, Sukhu declared GSSS Barsar a CBSE-affiliated school from the next academic session, adding that 20 government schools have already received CBSE recognition. He said the government is committed to improving the education system, which has already seen Himachal Pradesh rise to 5th position in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) through reforms aimed at balancing student-teacher ratios and ensuring adequate staff.
Criticizing the previous BJP government, the Chief Minister said it had focused on constructing buildings worth Rs. 1000 crore that now lie vacant and had opened 600 schools before elections without adequate staffing. He added that the Congress government has prioritized real reforms over symbolic development.
Sukhu also accused the previous government of mismanagement, citing its practice of renewing liquor vend licenses at minimal premium rates to benefit select individuals. “After our government took over, we decided to auction liquor vends, generating Rs. 450 crore in revenue — something the BJP failed to achieve in five years,” he said. The government, he added, saved Rs. 3000 crore by curbing corruption and redirected the funds toward welfare schemes for widows and children.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s inclusive approach, stating, “I do not differentiate between people or regions on political grounds. My aim is to ensure uniform development across the state.”
He also expressed concern that the Rs. 1500 crore disaster relief package announced by the Prime Minister for Himachal Pradesh has yet to be received. Urging the state’s seven Members of Parliament to take up the matter, he assured that the state government will soon announce its own relief package for disaster-affected families.
Sukhu said his government is making a concerted effort to revive the healthcare system under the ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ initiative, aimed at transforming public health institutions. He announced that Rs. 3000 crore is being invested in upgrading health infrastructure, modernizing equipment, and opening 69 Model Health Institutions across the state.
He further stated that six specialist doctors would soon be appointed in every Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan (Model Health Institution) in all constituencies.
Highlighting measures to boost the rural economy, the Chief Minister said the government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of maize grown through natural farming from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per kg, and that of wheat from Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 per kg. The MSP for turmeric has been fixed at Rs. 90 per kg, while the MSP for cow milk has risen from Rs. 45 to Rs. 51 per litre, and buffalo milk from Rs. 55 to Rs. 61 per litre.
He also spoke about social welfare initiatives, noting that the government has legally adopted orphaned children as “Children of the State,” providing care until they reach 27 years of age. Under the ‘Sukh Shiksha Yojna’, free education and healthcare benefits are being extended to 23,000 children of widows, divorced, and disabled women.
Earlier, the Chief Minister received a rousing welcome upon his arrival in Barsar, where thousands of people gathered to greet him. Several organizations and institutions contributed generously to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, including cheques from SDM Barsar and his office staff (Rs. 51,000), HP Dharamsthal Karamchari Sangh Deot-Sidh (Rs. 1.04 lakh), GSSS Bhota staff and students (Rs. 61,000), Berozgaar Sangh (Rs. 51,000), Himachal Kalyan Sanstha (Rs. 1 lakh), and Degree College Una students (Rs. 2.21 lakh).
The event was also attended by several dignitaries, including MLA Suresh Kumar, senior Congress leader Subhash Dhatwalia, former MLA Manjeet Dogra, Capt. Ranjit Singh, Vivek Sharma, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Ram Chander Pathania, Ajay Sharma, Atul Karohta, Naresh Thakur, and Dr. Mohan Lal, among others.
Key Highlights:
- Barsar Hospital upgraded to 100-bed facility
- Rs. 17.45 crore Mini Secretariat dedicated at Barsar
- Rs. 300 crore Cancer Institute under construction at Hamirpur Medical College
- Rs. 65 crore scheme for beautification of Baba Balak Nath Temple
- Rs. 96 crore being spent on roads in Barsar Assembly Constituency
- GSSS Barsar to become a CBSE school
- MA and M.Com classes to start at local college
- Government focuses on health, education, and rural economy through reforms and welfare initiatives
