Fast tracking rural infrastructure under 'Vyavastha Parivartan': CM
Govt ensures inclusive development across villages
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while reviewing the progress of various sectoral schemes sanctioned for rural areas of the State directed departments to complete all pending development works within the next three months. He said the foundation of sustainable and inclusive progress of any State was reflected in the development of rural regions, especially as nearly 90 percent of Himachal Pradesh’s population resides in rural areas.
During the review, it emerged that several sectoral works, despite having sanctioned funds, were either yet to be initiated or were progressing at an unacceptably slow pace. These included projects under the Backward Area Sub Plan, MPLAD, Vidhayak Kshetra Vikas Nidhi Yojana, Local Area Development Fund, Mukhya Mantri Gram Path Yojana and other MLA-funded schemes.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that many small but essential works as installation of hand pumps, construction of footpaths, drains, community halls, retaining walls, footbridges, irrigation canals, boundary walls and village roads etc, had remained pending for quite some time. He said such decentralized and need-based works directly address local priorities and are critical for strengthening rural infrastructure and ensuring last-mile delivery of development.
He stated that since the formation of the present Government, “Vyavastha Parivartan” has been adopted as the guiding principle of governance, with a clear focus on correcting systemic imbalances and reviving rural development mechanisms that had been neglected. The Chief Minister noted with seriousness that numerous petty works had remained pending since long despite funds having already been released to the concerned departments.
Sharing details, Sh. Sukhu said that 11,064 sectoral works worth Rs. 204 crore had not been started, while 16,834 works amounting to Rs. 348 crore had been under execution for a long period without completion. He said strict directions had already been issued in a meeting with Deputy Commissioners and field officers last month to expedite long-pending schemes and ensure timely completion of development works while reporting the same to his office.
As a result of the intensified monitoring and accelerated implementation, 18,262 works and small schemes were completed between October 2025 and 15 January 2026, providing much-needed relief to villagers. The Chief Minister said the progress of these works was being monitored at the highest level through a 'real-time dashboard'. Field officers have been instructed to submit daily reports to ensure continuous tracking and accountability.
He reiterated that the Government was pursuing a transparent, need-based and equitable development strategy to ensure uniform progress across all constituencies, without political bias. Departments and local bodies including Jal Shakti, PWD, Block Development Offices and Panchayats have been directed to accelerate all sanctioned works that were either stalled or moving at a snail’s pace.
Secretary, Planning Abhishek Jain presented a detailed progress report and informed that out of the 11,064 works, that had not been started, 9,689 works amounting to Rs. 177 crore were completed within three months from October 2025 to 15th January 2026. He further stated that out of 16,384 works that had remained in progress for long durations 8,573 works, nearly half of it, amounting to Rs. 159 crore were accelerated and completed. The remaining works are expected to be completed within the next three months, as directed by the Chief Minister.
He added that field visits and review meetings have been conducted in districts including Chamba, Kullu and Bilaspur to ensure on-ground verification and faster execution. Pending utilization certificates, which had not been submitted for a long time, have also been obtained from the concerned agencies.
The Chief Minister reiterated that under “Vyavastha Parivartan,” the Government is committed to fast-tracking stalled development works, enforcing strict monitoring mechanisms, and ensuring optimal utilization of public funds so that the benefits of development reach every village and every section of society.
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CM congratulates DDT&G on national recognition for 'Him Parivar' initiative
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today congratulated the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDT&G), Government of Himachal Pradesh, for receiving national recognition at the 6th Governance Now Digital Transformation Summit & Awards held in New Delhi.
The award was conferred recently during the summit and was formally handed over to the Chief Minister by Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor (Digital Technology, Innovation and Governance) to the Chief Minister yesterday.
He said the state was honoured for its flagship initiative ‘Him Parivar’, which has been appreciated for its innovative use of data analytics and digital technologies to strengthen governance and improve public service delivery. He said that such technology-driven interventions enhance transparency, improve efficiency and support the government’s vision of effective last-mile delivery of benefits.
The Chief Minister lauded the dedicated efforts of the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance in developing citizen-friendly digital services and strengthening digital governance across Himachal Pradesh. He expressed confidence that the department would continue to work with the same commitment and innovation to further expand digital initiatives for the benefit of the people of the State.
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CM orders launch of 4th phase of BPL identification survey from 1st February
59,829 BPL families included in BPL list in first three phases
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department to begin the fourth phase of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) identification survey from 1st February, 2026. Chairing a meeting of the department here today, the Chief Minister said the State Government was committed to ensuring that every eligible family was included in the BPL list so they could avail benefits under various government welfare schemes. He added that the survey was being conducted in five phases to ensure that no deserving poor family was deprived of its rightful entitlements.
In the first three phases of the survey, a total of 59,829 BPL families have been included in BPL list across the State. District-wise, 2204 families have been notified in Bilaspur, 13786 in Chamba, 3480 in Hamirpur, 10807 in Kangra, 1109 in Kinnaur, 2957 in Kullu, 206 in Lahaul-Spiti, 12045 in Mandi, 4522 in Shimla, 1277 in Sirmaur, 1567 in Solan and 5869 families in Una district.
The Chief Minister said that families eligible for inclusion in the BPL list also include orphans up to the age of 27 years, households having members above the age of 59 years and families having members with disabilities in the age group of 27 to 59 years. He further stated that families headed by women with no adult male member between 27 and 59 years of age, as well as families where the head of the household has a disability of 50 percent or more are also to be covered under BPL.
Additionally, families that worked for at least 100 days under MGNREGA during the previous financial year will be considered eligible. Households where earning members suffer from chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia or any other condition resulting in permanent disability will also be included. The government has also decided to include families living in concrete houses who have received financial assistance under State or Central housing schemes.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, MLA Chander Shekhar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Amarjeet Singh, Director Rakesh Prajapati and other senior officers were present in the meeting.