SHIMLA, 21.04.26-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced Rs. 10 crore for the construction of an industrial area in Fatehpur assembly constituency of Kangra district. He said that the office of the Chief Engineer of the Shah Canal project, which was earlier shifted from Fatehpur to Mandi, will now be re-established in Fatehpur. The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs. 20,000 each to Mahila Mandals of the area and Rs. 50 lakh for the renovation of Wazir Ram Singh Stadium.

Addressing a large public gathering at Jakhbar in Fatehpur assembly constituency of Kangra district, the Chief Minister said that local MLA Bhavani Singh Pathania left a job of Rs. 2.5 crore yearly package to enter politics with the aim of public service. He said that Pathania understands the issues of the people well and is dedicated to their development.

The Chief Minister said that the previous BJP government had received around Rs. 60,000 crore more compared to the current government. He stated that the former government received Rs. 54,000 crore as revenue deficit grant and Rs. 16,000 crore as GST compensation, while the current government received only Rs. 17,000 crore. He alleged that the previous government constructed buildings worth about Rs. 1,000 crore to benefit contractors, many of which are still lying vacant. He also said that the closure of RDG has caused a loss of Rs. 8,000–10,000 crore annually to the state. He accused the BJP of making baseless statements for publicity and being internally divided into five factions. He further alleged irregularities in the Himcare Scheme during the previous government, even claiming that ovarian surgeries were shown for male patients. He informed that the state government has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The Chief Minister said that while the previous government misused public funds and that the present government has taken concrete steps to curb corruption. He added that policies are being framed keeping in mind the needs and aspirations of the common people. He alleged that the quality of education declined during the BJP government, with Himachal Pradesh falling to 21^st position in 2021. In contrast, the current government has made significant improvements in the education sector. English-medium education has been introduced from class one and 151 schools have been brought under the CBSE pattern. He said that by June 30, teacher recruitment in all these schools will be completed, for which state-level examinations are being conducted. He expressed confidence that these efforts will provide better educational opportunities to rural children and help them face future challenges. He added that Himachal Pradesh has now reached 5^th position in providing quality education in the country. He emphasized that there should be no discrimination among children in the name of fees.

He said that the present government works with a focus on public service rather than vote politics. Along with education, improvements are also being made in the health sector. Model Health Institutions have been established in every assembly constituency. He said that the Fatehpur Model Health Institution now has eight specialist doctors, which had never happened before. Advanced machines and modern equipment are being provided in medical colleges and health institutions so that people can get better healthcare facilities near their homes. The government is also working to improve water quality.

He said that the government is taking strong steps to strengthen the rural economy. Naturally grown turmeric will be purchased at Rs. 150 per kg. Cow milk is being procured at Rs. 61 per liter and buffalo milk at Rs. 71 per liter to ensure direct income to rural people. A modern milk processing plant costing around Rs. 200 crore is being set up in Dagwar of Kangra district, which will significantly increase farmers’ income. The government has also decided to provide minimum support price to fish farmers in reservoirs. During the monsoon fishing ban period, fisher families will receive an honorarium of Rs. 3,500. Additionally, royalty on fish caught from reservoirs has been reduced from 15 percent to 1 percent.

The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to supporting orphan children, widows, and single women. Efforts are being made to protect the state’s rights. Keeping in view the problems of Pong Dam displaced families, land has been provided to them on lease. A BPL survey is ongoing to ensure that benefits of government schemes reach even the poorest. More than one lakh extremely poor families have been identified in six phases and the seventh phase is nearing completion. The Apna Parivar-Sukhi Parivar Yojana has been launched, under which eligible women will receive a pension of Rs. 1,500 per month and up to 300 units of free electricity.

Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board and MLA Bhavani Singh Pathania thanked the Chief Minister for development projects in his assembly segment. He said the new bridge will boost development as movement of private vehicles is currently restricted after 8 PM due to the dam, but the bridge will provide an alternative route. He added that construction of the bridge has begun and once completed, an industrial area will be developed, bringing industries within two years. He said that the bridge will transform the economy of the entire Himachal Pradesh. He also mentioned that construction of projects like a bus stand, civil judge court and model health institution buildings is progressing rapidly and a mini secretariat has been inaugurated in the area. Work is also underway to improve water and electricity facilities.

On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, former MLA Ajay Mahajan, SC Commission member Advocate Digvijay Malhotra, Congress leader Karan Singh Pathania, ADC Vinay Kumar, SP Nurpur Police District Kulbhushan Verma and other dignitaries were present.

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