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Industrial development in Haroli to gain new momentum: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today, laid the foundation stone for site development and infrastructure works under the Bulk Drug Park project of national importance, currently under construction at Polian Beet in the Haroli subdivision of Una district estimated at a cost of Rs. 250 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for a working women's hostel to be built at Panjuana at a cost of Rs. 10 crore.
On the occasion, Chief Minister said that the Bulk Drug Park project is of national significance. He directed officials to expedite the work of the project. He emphasized that the progress in the work should be clearly visible within the next six to eight months. He added that this ambitious project would generate extensive employment opportunities for local youth and in the times to come, this region would emerge as a modern industrial city.
He stated that this industrial complex, being developed at a cost of Rs. 2,000 crore, would lend new strength to the country's pharmaceutical sector. This project will make India globally competitive in the manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and will reduce dependence on foreign nations for raw materials used in medicines. Only three Bulk Drug Parks are being developed across the country, one of which is being established in Haroli which is a matter of great pride for the state.
He further stated that the State Government, prioritizing public interest above all, has taken the decision to execute this ambitious project itself. The Central and State Governments are working in partnership on this scheme, with each contributing an equal investment of Rs. 1,000 crore.
The Chief Minister stated that, with the objective of further strengthening and enhancing the quality of the education system, the state government has implemented the CBSE pattern in schools. The positive results of this initiative have already begun to emerge and Himachal Pradesh has risen to the fifth position nationwide in the field of education, a matter of great pride for the state.
He remarked that the Centre Government has disregarded the state's interests by discontinuing the Revenue Deficit Grant, however, the state government is working tirelessly to steer the state toward a new trajectory of development by firmly advocating for Himachal's rights and interests before the Centre. Furthermore, by curtailing MGNREGA, the Centre Government has dealt a blow to the interests of the poor.
The Chief Minister announced that the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana has been launched with the aim of providing financial assistance to students in the state for their higher education. Under this scheme, loan facilities are being made available to students at a nominal interest rate of just one percent, ensuring that no talented student is deprived of education due to financial constraints.
He said that the state's economy has witnessed a positive turnaround over the past three years. The government has taken concrete measures for the welfare of the needy sections of society, particularly orphaned children and widowed women and has worked to integrate them into the mainstream. Additionally, the government remains steadfastly committed to and is continuously striving toward the conservation and enhancement of the state's natural and economic resources.
Sh. Sukhu stated that for ensuring fair price for farmers' produce, the state government is offering the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the country for naturally produced crops. This year, the MSP for natural wheat has been raised from Rs. 60 to |Rs. 80 per kilogram, from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 for maize and from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per kilogram for natural turmeric.
Taking a jibe at the BJP, the Chief Minister asserted that during the five year tenure of the previous BJP government in the state, they received Rs. 60,000 crore more in the form of central funds than the current government has received, yet, instead of utilizing those funds constructively, they misspent the funds through misappropriation. He further alleged that the BJP's policies have been detrimental to the state's interests and that public welfare was not accorded priority during their regime. The Chief Minister stated that during the tenure of the BJP government, Himachal ranked 21st in terms of quality education. Upon assuming office, our government implemented radical reforms in the education sector. |Consequently, Himachal has today risen to the fifth position nationwide in the field of quality education. He added that by introducing the CBSE pattern in government schools, new avenues of opportunity have been opened up for students, thereby further empowering their future.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the State Government is working continuously with the objective of securing a global identity for the Haroli region on the industrial map. In this direction, work on numerous significant development projects is currently underway, which has injected fresh momentum into the region's holistic development. He noted that under the effective leadership of the Chief Minister, Haroli's industrial, infrastructural and social framework is being continuously strengthened and projects of national significance, such as the Bulk Drug Park, are advancing at a rapid pace.
He stated that works related to drinking water projects worth approximately Rs. 66 crore, associated with this initiative, have been successfully completed, while work on other development projects is proceeding at a rapid pace. The completion of these schemes will not only strengthen industrial activities but also enable local residents to benefit from modern amenities. He remarked that, under the effective leadership of the State Government, this project is advancing with great momentum. Furthermore, a proposed five kilometer long railway line, estimated to cost Rs. 3,400 crore, will connect this park to the national rail network, thereby providing a significant boost to investment and supply chain logistics.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is also working with special priority to ensure improved road connectivity within the Haroli region. For this purpose, work on the Santoshgarh-Jainjon road project, estimated at a cost of approximately Rs. 500 crore, is progressing rapidly. This road project will strengthen the region's traffic infrastructure, boost commercial activities and facilitate smoother movement for the public.
He further added that rapid progress is also being made on a new drinking water scheme, worth Rs. 175 crore, aimed at providing clean and adequate drinking water to the residents of Una district. This ambitious scheme is specifically designed to strengthen the drinking water supply in the rural areas of Una, thereby benefiting thousands of families.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan stated that the state government is prioritizing the development works associated with the Bulk Drug Park project, an initiative of national significance. He affirmed that this project would prove to be a milestone in the industrial progress of Himachal Pradesh, opening up new avenues for employment, investment and economic empowerment within the state.
On this occasion, MLAs Vivek Sharma and Sudarshan Bablu, former Minister and Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes Kuldeep Dhiman, former MLA Satpal Singh Raizada, Vice Chairman of HPSIDC Anurag Sharma, Chairman of HIMCOFED Vikram Sharma, Chairman of the Ex-Servicemen League Manish Kumar, President of the District Congress Committee Deshraj Gautam, Member of the Himachal Pradesh State Scheduled Castes Commission and Advocate Digvijay Malhotra, senior Congress leader Ranjit Rana, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) R.D. Nazim, Director of the Industries Department Dr. Yunus, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, SP Sachin Hiremath were also present among other dignitaries.
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