State Government Secures NABARD Approval for 73 Projects Worth Rs 713.87 Crore; CM Chairs MLA Priority Meeting.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on the first day of the first session chaired a meeting with MLAs from Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts to finalize their priority projects for the financial year 2026–27. During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed that the state government has already secured approval from NABARD for 73 projects amounting to Rs 713.87 crore for the year 2025–26.
Out of the approved projects, 55 MLA priority schemes worth Rs 512.31 crore are related to the Public Works Department, while 18 projects worth Rs 201.56 crore pertain to the Jal Shakti Department. The Chief Minister directed the departments to ensure full utilization of the allocated budget and instructed that reimbursement claims be submitted to the NABARD office before March 15, 2026. He also said that efforts are underway to get additional MLA priority projects approved by NABARD by March 2026.
The Chief Minister stated that over the past three years, the present state government has focused on public welfare-oriented policies, transparent governance and wide-ranging reforms. He said the objective of these policies is to strengthen the state’s economy, empower youth and women, provide security to weaker sections and establish Himachal Pradesh as a prosperous, green-energy and economically self-reliant state. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rapid, inclusive and sustainable development across all sectors.
Expressing serious concern over the decision of the 16th Finance Commission to discontinue the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, the Chief Minister said that the grant had been provided continuously since 1952 up to the 15th Finance Commission to ensure financial stability of states. He termed the move unjust, particularly for hill states like Himachal Pradesh that face difficult geographical conditions.
He pointed out that Himachal Pradesh plays a major role in environmental protection through a complete ban on tree felling and also supplies water to other states through rivers originating in the state. In such circumstances, he said, discontinuation of the RDG goes against the interests of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that the 15th Finance Commission had recommended a revenue deficit grant of Rs 37,199 crore for the state. In addition, during the COVID-19 period, the previous BJP government received Rs 11,431 crore as RDG based on the interim report of the Finance Commission. He warned that stopping this grant would result in a financial loss of nearly Rs 50,000 crore to the state.
He said the state government would now be compelled to take tough decisions to enhance revenue while ensuring efficient financial management. Criticizing the upcoming Union Budget, he remarked that it ignores the interests of the middle class and farmers. He said agriculture and horticulture form the backbone of Himachal Pradesh’s economy, yet the central budget neither provides subsidies for orchardists nor addresses infrastructure development for these sectors.
The Chief Minister also expressed disappointment over the absence of concrete announcements regarding the expansion of the Bhanupalli–Bilaspur and Chandigarh–Baddi railway projects. He described the Union Budget as being against the spirit of cooperative federalism and said that instead of making small hill states self-reliant, it pushes them further into debt. He reiterated the demand for restoration of the revenue deficit grant and a special economic package for Himachal Pradesh.
Una District
MLA from Chintpurni, Sudarshan Babloo, thanked the Chief Minister for allocating Rs 130 crore for the expansion of the Chintpurni Temple. He demanded early completion of the Stothar Bridge and Chowki–Manyar college, construction of a sub fire station at Jol and strengthening of the road network.
MLA from Gagret, Rakesh Kalia, thanked the Chief Minister for providing Rs 2 crore for Gagret Hospital and requested release of the remaining funds to complete the project. He also urged completion of the Bhadrakali ITI building, construction of buildings for six Government Senior Secondary Schools, provision of sewerage facilities at Daulatpur Chowk and Mubarakpur, and adequate funds for flood protection.
MLA from Una, Satpal Satti, demanded a sewerage scheme for newly included villages in Una Municipal Corporation. He also sought strengthening of the drainage system, construction of the Santoshgarh–Una bridge, completion of the BDO office building and strengthening of the Bhabhaur Sahib irrigation scheme.
MLA from Kutlehar, Vivek Sharma, thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning Rs 36.89 crore for various Jal Shakti Department schemes and Rs 14.93 crore for new drinking water projects. He demanded completion of the sewerage scheme at Bangana, strengthening of Bangana–Shantla and Thanakalan–Bhakra roads, and opening of a Sub-Judge Court at Bangana.
Hamirpur District
MLA from Bhoranj, Suresh Kumar, demanded early construction of the Ladraur–Patta drinking water scheme and strengthening of basic infrastructure in Bhoranj Nagar Panchayat. He also sought construction of a new Sub-Judge Court building, a sewerage scheme and thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning Rs 23.75 crore for a Critical Care Unit in Bhoranj.
MLA from Sujanpur, Ranjit Singh, requested early completion of the BDO office and PHC Chabutra buildings. He also demanded upgradation of the Tauni Devi–Uhal Kakkar Janglaberi road and filling of vacant doctor posts in Tauni Devi and Sujanpur hospitals.
MLA from Barsar, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, sought construction of new bus stands at Barsar and Bhota, strengthening of health services, construction of a new building for Rally Jajri School and starting PHC Chakmoh. He also demanded Volvo bus service from Deotsidh and a bus service between Barsar and AIIMS.
Sirmaur District
MLA from Pachhad, Reena Kashyap, demanded promotion of tourism, stating that Habban Valley and the temples of Shirgul Maharaj and Bhureshwar Mahadev have immense tourism potential. She also sought early completion of the Government Senior Secondary School building at Habban.
MLA from Nahan, Ajay Solanki, raised issues related to Nahan Medical College and demanded establishment of a cardiology department and filling of staff nurse posts. He thanked the Chief Minister for approving three road projects and requested construction of the Bhojpur Bridge. He also highlighted low-voltage electricity problems in the area.
MLA from Renukaji, Vinay Kumar, demanded promotion of religious tourism and de-silting of Renukaji Lake. He urged faster completion of the process to bring lions to Renukaji Zoo and sought strengthening of the road network, health services at Adarsh Health Institute Sangrah, construction of a college building and bus stand at Dadahu, and opening of an electricity division at Sangrah.
MLA from Paonta Sahib, Sukh Ram Chaudhary, demanded early completion of under-construction educational institution buildings. He also requested speedy completion of the Navghat Bridge connecting Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, strengthening of the road network, repair of Giri irrigation canals and improvement of power load in the Paonta Sahib industrial area.
State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Bhawani Singh Pathania expressed hope that the suggestions put forward by MLAs would help accelerate the pace of development in the state. Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta presented the vote of thanks, while Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, administrative secretaries, heads of departments, concerned Deputy Commissioners and other senior officers were present at the meeting.
