CM Sukhu Reviews MLA Priorities for 2026-27, Emphasizes Health, Education and Rural Economy.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today held detailed discussions with MLAs from Shimla and Kangra districts during the second and final session of the two-day MLA Priority Meetings for the financial year 2026–27. The meeting focused on constituency-specific development priorities, while highlighting the government’s broader vision of strengthening health, education, rural economy, tourism, energy, food processing, and digital infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said that the government has implemented path-breaking measures to strengthen the rural economy, including offering the highest minimum support price for milk and naturally grown wheat, barley, maize, and turmeric in the country. He said these initiatives would improve the standard of living of rural residents and provide sustainable livelihoods.
On education, Sukhu highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s significant progress, noting that the state climbed to the 5th position nationally in a recent survey, up from 21st in 2021. Regarding healthcare, he said advanced medical technology is being installed across state medical colleges, including robotic surgery facilities already functional at AIMSS Chamyana and Tanda Medical College, with plans to expand this service statewide.
He also spoke about investor-friendly reforms that have earned Himachal recognition as a “Top Achiever State” under India’s Business Reform Action Plan-2024 and praised the state’s achievements in digital governance, including the “People First Integration Award” for citizen-centric digital service delivery. Sukhu further cited the UNDP-backed 2025 report showing the state’s Human Development Index at 0.78, above the national average of 0.63.
The Chief Minister urged MLAs to submit development priorities promptly to the Planning Department for incorporation into the 2026–27 budget. He also called for fast-track resolution of issues raised by legislators and requested active participation in the government’s “Chitta-Free Himachal” campaign.
Shimla District:
MLA Mohan Lal Brakta (Rohru) thanked the government for increasing milk support prices and apple procurement under MIS, and requested B.Ed. courses at Seema College and early completion of drinking water schemes. MLA Harish Janartha (Shimla Urban) sought separate budgets for link road construction, faster execution of water projects, and underground ducting, while appreciating city beautification efforts.
Kangra District:
Legislators raised key demands including construction and staffing of hospitals, flood compensation and channelization, sugar policy formulation, road and bridge construction, power supply upgrades, polytechnic and ITI establishment, heliport construction, restoration of traditional irrigation channels, and improved municipal services. MLAs Nurpur, Indora, Jaswan-Pragpur, Jwalamukhi, Sulah, Kangra, Palampur, and Baijnath actively presented their priorities.
Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania welcomed MLAs and highlighted the importance of these annual meetings in strengthening the state’s democratic processes.
Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, HPTDC Chairman Raghubir Singh Bali, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, and other senior officers and administrative secretaries attended the session.
