SHIMLA-14 August, 2026-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced an increase in the monthly honorarium of Van Mitras from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. He made this announcement while launching the Van Mahotsav at Nihari in the Ghumarwin Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district, where he also planted a sapling of drumstick (sahjan). As part of the Van Mahotsav, the State has set a target of planting more than 50 lakh saplings over 7,000 hectares of land.

Later, while addressing a function at Dadhol, the Chief Minister announced to upgrade Bharari Sub-Tehsil to a full-fledged tehsil. He also announced creation of two additional posts of doctors at PHC Hatwar, opening of a veterinary dispensary in Tadaun Gram Panchayat and introduction of MBA, MCA and MTA classes at Government College Ghumarwin. He further announced introduction of BBA and BCA classes at Government College Ghandawali. He also announced a holiday for 17^th August, 2026 in all schools of the State in lieu of 15 August as students will attend the schools on this day to celebrate the Independence Day.

Sh. Sukhu said that when Himachal Pradesh had a “double-engine” government, the interests and rights of the State were compromised. Now, there was corruption-free single engine government in the State and strict action would be taken against those found involved in corruption in accordance with the law. Assets acquired through corruption would be confiscated and utilised for the welfare of the poor, he added.

The Chief Minister said the state government had undertaken several reforms in the education and health sectors and had appointed more than 6,000 teachers so far to address the shortage of teaching staff and another 4,000 teachers would be recruited in the coming period. To improve the quality of education, over 150 CBSE schools had been opened and Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools were being constructed across the State.

He said implementing schemes by understanding the problems and needs of people, even without demanding such facilities by them, was the essence of “Vyavastha Parivartan” (systemic change). “I studied in a government school like many of you, and therefore I understand the problems of the common man,” he said.

Sh. Sukhu said the government was promoting natural farming and providing minimum support price (MSP) to strengthen the rural economy and improve the financial condition of farmers in lower Himachal. He said farmers could now earn up to rupees one lakh annually from one bigha by cultivating turmeric through natural farming methods. The government would further increase investment in the rural economy in the coming years, he added.

Referring to the disasters, the Chief Minister said more than 23,000 houses were damaged in Himachal Pradesh and the entire Council of Ministers stood with the affected families during the crisis. The compensation for completely destroyed houses, which was Rs 7 lakh in 2023, had now been increased to Rs 8.50 lakh. He alleged that none of the BJP MPs or MLAs approached the Central Government seeking assistance, despite the Prime Minister having announced assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for the State in 2025 to mitigate the sufferings of the affected families.

Sh. Sukhu said the Congress government was firmly fighting for the interests of Himachal Pradesh. The State Government won the Wildflower Hall case, resulting in Rs 450 crore being secured for the State, while the government was now earning around Rs 20 crore annually from the property.

He said the Kishau power project agreement, if finalised during the BJP regime, could have caused losses to Himachal Pradesh. He pointed out that Uttarakhand, where the BJP was in power, was having to pay for electricity projects, whereas Himachal Pradesh had saved around Rs 800 crore.

The Chief Minister said the State Government was also pursuing its claims for Rs 7,200 crore in arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The Supreme Court had delivered a judgment on the issue around 15 years ago and had now asked Punjab to clarify its position. The state government would decide its next strategy after Punjab presents its stand on August 20, he added.

Sh. Sukhu said the State Government had restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to safeguard the interests of employees, following which the Centre withheld financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore to Himachal Pradesh. He alleged that the Centre was now also pressuring the State to implement the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

On healthcare reforms, the Chief Minister said modern medical equipment had been installed at AIMSS Chamiyana, Medical Colleges, Shimla, Tanda and Nerchowk, and technology was being used on the lines of AIIMS, Delhi. The robotic surgery facilities had also been introduced in medical colleges. He alleged that irregularities had taken place in the Himcare scheme during the BJP regime and claimed that around Rs 450 crore had been paid to private hospitals under the scheme.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had undergone a long political struggle and served for extended periods in NSUI, Youth Congress and the Congress organisation. He was the first Chief Minister to make the welfare of orphaned children a priority, adopting them as “Children of the State” as one of his first decisions after assuming office.

Sh. Dharmani said the State Government had also introduced schemes to address the problems of fishermen and was taking complete responsibility for the education of children of widows. Meritorious students were being provided loans of up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest rate of one per cent. He said MSP was being provided to farmers and natural farming was being promoted to improve their economic condition.

He added that subsidies had been provided for e-taxis and buses to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth. Referring to political developments in other states, He said the “Operation Lotus” had succeeded in several States but failed in Himachal Pradesh because of the people’s mandate.

He said the State Government had extended full support to families affected by disasters and thanked the Chief Minister for providing funds for a sports hostel in Ghumarwin.

Former Minister Prakash Chaudhary, Former MLAs Bambar Thakur and Tilak Raj Sharma, Congress leader Vivek Kumar, HP Forest Development Corporation Vice-Chairman Kehar Singh Khachi, Saksham Gudiya Board Chairperson Aruna Mahajan, Mahila Congress President Tripta Thakur, District Congress President Anjana Dhiman, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sanjay Sood, APMC Mandi Chairman Sanjay Guleria and Vice-Chairman Rakesh Kumar, among others, were present on the occasion.