State Allocates Rs 758.81 Crore Under RIDF for 2025–26, CM Discusses MLA Priorities.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today held detailed discussions with MLAs from Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts during the second session on the first day of the Assembly to finalise MLA priorities for the financial year 2026–27. He announced that the state government has made a budget provision of Rs 758.81 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the financial year 2025–26.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to immediately inform the Planning Department in writing if any Detailed Project Report (DPR) of MLA priority projects sent to NABARD under RIDF has already been approved under another budget head. This, he said, would ensure timely withdrawal of such DPRs from NABARD and avoid duplication in records.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the state, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh suffered heavy losses of life and property due to intense rainfall and cloudbursts in 2023 and 2025. Despite this, the state government provided substantial financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation from its own resources.
The Chief Minister said the government has identified health, education, rural economy, tourism, energy, food processing and data storage as priority sectors. To strengthen healthcare services, modern facilities such as robotic surgery, State Cancer Institute, DSA, advanced testing laboratories, bone marrow transplant and apheresis units, and PET scan machines have been installed. Robotic surgery has already started at AIMSS Chamiyana and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, and will be extended to all medical colleges in a phased manner.
He announced that a PET scan machine would be installed at IGMC Shimla within two months and at Tanda Medical College within six months. Additionally, 3-Tesla MRI machines would be installed in all medical colleges within the next three months. He said improving healthcare is the top priority of the government and Rs 3,000 crore would be spent on high-end medical technology over the next two years.
Major reforms are also being implemented in the education sector. The Chief Minister announced the opening of 140 CBSE schools and four Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools. To ensure safe drinking water, ozonation technology would be introduced in drinking water schemes across the state. Emphasising good governance, he said that over the past three years, 5.70 lakh mutation cases have been disposed of and 80 per cent revenue corrections would be completed by March 31.
Solan District:
MLA Arki Sanjay Awasthi highlighted damage to roads due to disasters and sought adequate repair funds. He termed the denial of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) by the Centre unjust, stating it would cause an annual loss of Rs 10,000 crore to the state.
MLA Nalagarh Hardeep Singh Bawa said bridge works worth Rs 14 crore were nearing completion and road projects worth Rs 66 crore were underway. He demanded 20 tube wells and a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School at Nangal.
MLA Doon Ram Kumar thanked the Chief Minister for establishing key offices in his constituency and sought early commencement of the ISBT Baddi project.
MLA Kasauli Vinod Sultanpuri said approval of earlier priorities had led to works worth Rs 200 crore and sought further strengthening of roads and healthcare.
Chamba District:
MLA Churah Hans Raj sought faster construction of government buildings, better healthcare at Tissa Hospital, promotion of tourism and heli-taxi services.
MLA Bharmaur Janak Raj raised the issue of the Holi–Utrala road.
MLA Chamba Neeraj Nayyar said Rs 6.33 crore had been allocated for a mini secretariat and sought additional funds. He also thanked the government for providing funds for the DPR of the Chamba–Chuwari tunnel.
MLA Dalhousie D.S. Thakur demanded funds for damaged roads and better healthcare facilities.
Bilaspur District:
MLA Jhandutta Jeet Ram Katwal raised issues related to irrigation and drinking water schemes.
MLA Bilaspur Trilok Jamwal demanded proper road restoration after sewerage works and promotion of tourism at Govind Sagar and Kol Dam.
MLA Naina Devi Randhir Sharma urged early completion of formalities for roads under PMGSY and sought funds for the Civil Hospital and ICU building.
Lahaul-Spiti District:
MLA Anuradha Rana demanded heli-taxi services, construction of the Kunzum Tunnel, relaxation in hotel registration norms for tribal areas, and strengthening of roads. She thanked the government for providing specialist doctors in the constituency.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta presented the vote of thanks, while Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar welcomed the participants. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission Bhawani Singh Pathania, senior officers and departmental heads were present.
