Rs. 26 crore winery to be set up at Parala

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the newly constructed bus stand at Theog, built at a cost of Rs.14.84 crore, and the APMC Fruit and Vegetable Market Complex at Shilaru, constructed at a cost of Rs.23 crore.

Addressing a large public gathering, the Chief Minister said that the bus stand project, which had been pending for the last 12 years, has now been completed and dedicated to the people, fulfilling a long-pending demand. The facility is equipped with all basic amenities for passengers and HRTC staff. He also announced that a shopping complex will be constructed at the site of the old bus stand with government funding.

The Chief Minister said that the newly inaugurated Fruit and Vegetable Market Complex at Shilaru would provide a reliable platform to local farmers and horticulturists to get fair prices for their produce, saving both time and money. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing modern and accessible marketing infrastructure for the farming community.

To further benefit local fruit growers, he said that work on a Rs.26 crore winery at Parala Market would commence soon. He also assured that sufficient funds would be made available for the construction of the Mini Secretariat at Theog and announced the opening of a new HRTC sub-depot and workshop in the area.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government was working towards equipping Theog Hospital with all essential medical facilities. He added that efforts were being made to upgrade IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College to the level of AIIMS. The government would invest Rs.1,350 crore in modern medical technology and recruit doctors, nurses, and Rogi Mitras to further strengthen health services in the state.

“As I hold the Finance portfolio, I assure equal and balanced development across all regions of the state,” he said.

Referring to the natural calamity in 2023, the Chief Minister said that the government acted swiftly to restore road connectivity in the apple belt to ensure timely transportation of apples and avoid losses to farmers. He also highlighted the government efforts of introducing Universal Carton in the first year of his government to support horticulturists.

Sh. Sukhu said the state has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restrict apple imports in order to safeguard the interests of local farmers. “We are raising the voice of the farming community at every forum,” he added.

The Chief Minister also informed that the Shipki-La Pass, which borders China, has been recently opened for tourists. The government is exploring the possibility of initiating the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through this route.

Criticizing the previous BJP government, he said, “They constructed buildings worth Rs.1,000 crore for electoral gains, many of which now lie unused. Our focus is on judicious use of resources to make Himachal self-reliant.”

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri lauded the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhu and local MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, both of whom have previously served as Pradesh Congress Committee presidents. He said Theog has consistently elected capable leaders and holds a place of importance in the state. He credited the Chief Minister for releasing Rs.5 crore to complete the bus stand project and informed that Rs.255 crore has already been spent on the Kurpan Water Supply Scheme, with the remaining Rs.45 crore now available for its completion. He assured that pending sewerage works in Theog would also be completed soon.

Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar said that both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were fully committed to Theog’s development. He recalled the significant contributions of former Minister Vidya Stokes and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in shaping the region.

MLA and AICC Secretary Kuldeep Singh Rathore welcomed the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for releasing sufficient funds for the completion of the bus stand. He also paid tribute to Vidya Stokes and Virbhadra Singh for their visionary leadership. He remarked that development in Theog had slowed down during the past five years but had now regained momentum. He said once the Kurpan water supply scheme is completed, Theog would have sufficient drinking water. He also assured better road infrastructure in the region and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral promises.

Highlighting the plight of apple growers, Rathore thanked the Chief Minister for implementing the Universal Carton system and urged him to strongly take up the issue of apple imports from the United States with the central government. “I was the first to raise the demand for a ban on apple imports from Turkey, which supports Pakistan. Now, American apples pose a new challenge,” he said.

Vice Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation, Kehar Singh Khachi, Vice Chairman HIMUDA, Yashwant Chajta, Chairman, HP State Cooperative Bank, Devender Shyam, Chairman, APMC Shimla, Devanand Verma, elected representatives of PRIs and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Interacts with people on their local issues

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participated in ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme organised in the remote village of Baga Sarahan in Anni area on Tuesday evening.  Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said such programmes aims to reach out to the rural masses and solve their problems nearer to their homes saving their time and money. 

We have taken a decision that 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar programmes would be held all over the State in the remotest regions and every minister will hold such programmes in their respective constituencies, particularly in villages. The motive behind this is to ensure welfare of the people at large, he remarked. 

Giving details, the Chief Minister said that  he made it a point to stay overnight in remote  villages during such programmes. The first 'Sarkar gaon Ke Dwar' programme was held in far-flung Dodra Kwar in district Shimla followed by Kupvi, another remote village of district Shimla. Similar programme was held at Sharchi in Kullu district which enabled him to better understand the day to day problems of faced by the local people. He said that the people living in remote areas were especially benefiting from this initiative of the Government.

He also urged the youth to take full advantage of the self-employment opportunities being provided by the government and stay away from social evils like drug addiction.

Artists of the Information and Public Relations Department presented cultural programmes to spread awareness about government schemes and developmental activities. Women groups from Baga Sarahan and Sarahan honoured the Chief Minister and also gave cultural performance.

The Chief minister also paid obeisance to the local deity and prayed for the peace and prosperity of people of the state.   

MLA's Sunder Singh Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Mayor Surinder Chauhan,  Chairman APMC Ram Singh Mian, Chairman Zila Parishad Pankaj Parmar, local leaders and large number of villagers were present on the occasion amongst other dignitaries.

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Interacts with the students of  GSSS, Baga Sarahan

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today visited the Government Senior Secondary School  Baga Sarahan, under the Nirmand Sub-Division of Kullu district.  While interacting with the teachers he emphasized upon providing practical knowledge apart from the routine curriculum and also impart competitive general knowledge to the students. The Chief Minister also took feedback from teachers regarding various issues and practical problems they were facing.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the students exploring their general knowledge skills and about their future plans. He encouraged them to set clear targets and work hard with dedication to achieve their dreams. He also advised the students to adopt noble values and ideals in their life.

The  said that the old school building from Pre-Nursery to 8^th  must  be replaced with a modern school building.

Earlier, the Chief Minister met with local residents at the Public Works Department Rest House in Baga Sarahan and listened to their grievances and gave necessary directions to the concerned officers for the redressal of the same.

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Announces Anni to be Nagar panchayat

               Reaffirming the State Government’s unwavering commitment to building a green, self-reliant and prosperous Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing a massive public gathering today at Baga Sarahan in Nirmand Sub-Division of Kullu district today.  He said that the Government was making all out efforts  to establish new milestones in development particularly in rural areas of the State.

               On the occasion, the Chief Minister dedicated and laid foundation stones of 21 development projects worth Rs. 81.30 crore for the people of the Anni Assembly Constituency. These included road infrastructure, drinking water schemes, irrigation projects, health, education, tourism, renewable energy, and community infrastructure development etc.

The Chief Minister inaugurated key road projects, including the up-gradation of the Nishani–Paali-Parantla road constructed at a cost of Rs. 13.35 crore, Koyal–Bashla  link road constructed at a cost of Rs. 9.51 crore, Katar–Khadvi road  completed with an outlay of Rs. 4.24 crore, and Wazir Bawdi–Thachwa road completed with an outlay of Rs. 6.17 crore. He also dedicated Rs. 6.28 crore Nature Interpretation and Service Centre developed at Jalori Jot, a famous tourist destination, Rs. 74 lakh  10 kW solar charging station near Bashleu Jot, and repair work on the bridal path from Baga Sarahan to Bashleu Jot.

Further strengthening water supply infrastructure in the region, the Chief Minister inaugurated various water schemes, including the Rs. 2.31 crore lift drinking water scheme for villages like NishAnni, Kuikod, Daged, Togi, and Grahna,  Rs. 2.62 crore Koyal Kuhal irrigation scheme,  Rs. 2.03 crore augmentation of water supply to Samoh, Jaged, Gaura, and Gwal panchayat,  Rs. 88.77 lakh re-organization of the Tandi-Kafta drinking water scheme, Rs. 1.77 crore augmentation of the Khun Bandal and Kohila Kamand lift water schemes, and the Rs. 1.59 crore scheme for extraction of an additional source for Aweri village.

Community infrastructure also received a boost with the inauguration of Community centres constructed under the Panchayati Raj Department in various panchayats including, Rs. 48.73 lakh for Poshna community centre, Rs. 44.61 lakh for Bakkhan Community centre, Rs. 32.30 lakh for Jagatkhana, Rs. 44.84 lakh for Shishvi, and Rs. 33.31 for Koti community centres totaling rupees two crore in all.

He also laid the foundation stone of two major water supply projects including Rs. 9.09 crore lift drinking water scheme from Kurpan Khad for Ghatu-Gamog and Shilli Gram Panchayats, and Rs. 9.50 crore drinking water project under AMRUT 2.0 for Nirmand Nagar Panchayat.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed Primary Health Centre building and staff quarters at Khanag, completed at a cost of Rs. 1.55 crore, and the Rs. 7.18 crore building of the ITI at Dalash.

Making key announcements during his address, the Chief Minister declared the opening of a Day Boarding School in Anni Assembly Constituency and assured that a CBSE-affiliated school would also be established soon. He also announced a 50 percent subsidy on e-carts for local youth and committed to developing a bridal path from Jalori Jot to Raghupur Garh and Sareulsar. He announced rupees one crore for conducting a survey of the Baga Sarahan to Bathad road, announced Anni to be made Nagar Panchayat, and one crore for development of lake in Sarahan. Additionally, the Chief Minister also announced to provide rupees one lakh each to Mahila Mandals present on the occasion and  rupees one lakh for setting up Nature Park in Baga Sarahan.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed assistance under the State Government’s flagship welfare schemes. Women beneficiaries received financial assistance  under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, while beneficiaries of schemes such as the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana, Mukhyamantri Shagun Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana and Beti Hai Anmol Yojana were also provided incentive amount.

Earlier, MLAs Sunder Singh Thakur, and Lokender Kumar also addressed the gathering and lauded the Chief Minister’s leadership and vision for a progressive Himachal.

Zila Parishad Chairperson Pankaj Parmar and local residents extended a warm welcome to the Chief Minister. Panchayat heads, Congress workers, Youth Congress members, and women’s organizations also felicitated him.

Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the development bonanza provided to the region and urged him to consider fulfilling other pending local demands.

On the sidelines of the event, various departments organized exhibitions to raise public awareness, and the Health and AYUSH Departments held medical camps for the local community.

Present on the occasion were  MLA Bhuwaneshwar Gaur, Mayor Shimla Surinder Chauhan, APMC Chairman Ram Singh Mian, former MLA Kishori Lal Sagar, Zila Parishad Chairman Pankaj Parmar, local leaders, public representatives, Mahila Mandals, Youth Groups including other dignitaries.

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 Those engaged in drug trade to face harsh punishment: CM

·  GSSS Una to be made co-educational

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his visit to the Una Assembly constituency on Monday, dedicated and laid the foundation stones of multiple development projects amounting to Rs. 25.79 crore, with a focus on strengthening education and infrastructure in the region.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed building of Government Senior Secondary School (Boys), Una, built at a cost of 8.79 crore. The new facility will provide students with improved educational amenities and significantly enhance the academic environment.

He also inaugurated a State-of-the-Art academic block at the Government degree college Una, equipped with smart classrooms, modern laboratories, and administrative units constructed at a cost of Rs. 12 crore.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a ‘New Girls Hostel’ to be constructed within the same campus at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore. The hostel will offer safe and convenient residential facilities for girl students, especially those coming from rural and remote areas, thereby making higher education more accessible to them.

In his address, the Chief Minister said that from the next academic session, the Government Senior Secondary (Boys) School, Una, would be converted into a co-educational institution on CBSE pattern. The Government schools have to come upto the present standards of other English medium convent schools and to realize this english medium teaching has been started from first class and  500 expert teachers in the subject were being recruited. Apart from this, 661 recruitments were being made for TGT Arts, Medical and Non-Medical posts, and 600 JBT recruitments would also be started soon.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was establishing Rajiv Gandhi Government Model Day Boarding Schools in every assembly constituency, with a budget provision of Rs. 200 crore this year. The schools would offer education from pre-primary to class 12 as per CBSE curriculum and would be equipped with high-tech smart classrooms, playgrounds, indoor stadiums, swimming pools and music rooms. He urged the youth to creatively use new technology and appealed to teachers to continually guide students so that the younger generation becomes capable, aware, and responsible.

In health sector Rs. 1350 crore was being spent on strengthening medical technology across the state with world-class treatment facilities. All medical colleges, including IGMC Shimla, Tanda and Nerchowk were being equipped with advanced technology. He said that machines older than 20 years were being replaced in phases. The government aims to make advanced medical services such as robotic surgery, easily accessible to the general public. Regarding the PGI Satellite Centre under construction at Una, the government has expedited environmental clearances for the project.

Sh. Sukhu reiterated the government’s firm stance against drug and mining mafias. He said those involved in the Chitta trade would be put behind bars. “We will not allow the future of our youth to be jeopardize,” he said. He warned all those engaged in the drug trade would definitely face imprisonment. Properties illegally acquired through drugs would be seized.

He said that the government has successfully dealt with economic instability besides natural and political disasters. He thanked people for their trust and cooperation and also thanked the deities for their blessings.

The Chief Minister assured that the demand for an auditorium at the college would be analyzed practically and suitable decision would be taken accordingly.

He also honoured meritorious students of the college for their academic and sports achievements.

Dr. Meeta Sharma, Principal of Degree College Una, welcomed the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for the development projects. She also presented various demands of the college before the Chief Minister.

Present on the occasion were MLA's Rakesh Kalia, Sudarshan Babloo, Kutlehar MLA Vivek Sharma, Chairman of the State Scheduled Castes Commission Kuldeep Kumar, former Una MLA Satpal Raizada, district congress President Ranjeet Rana amongst other dignitaries.

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The delegations from the Kandaghat area of Solan district, B.Ed. students, representatives of the Livelihood Building under Municipal Corporation Shimla, and aspirants of MBBS and BDS courses met Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh here today.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to their issues and assured them of appropriate action.

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