Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has underlined that his government’s sustained efforts to revive Himachal Pradesh’s economy are now translating into visible and measurable outcomes, with focused investments and reforms strengthening health services, education standards and the rural economy. Chairing the second and final session of the two-day MLA Priority Meetings for the financial year 2026–27, the Chief Minister reviewed development priorities placed by legislators from Shimla and Kangra districts and called for their fast-track resolution in the larger public interest.
CM Sukhu said the present state government is working with a clear roadmap centred on health, education, rural livelihoods, tourism, energy, food processing and emerging sectors such as data storage. He asserted that even with limited resources and challenging terrain, Himachal Pradesh is demonstrating that sound policies, fiscal discipline and people-centric governance can revive the economy and improve quality of life.
Highlighting path-breaking steps for rural empowerment, the Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer the highest minimum support price for milk and for naturally grown crops such as wheat, barley, maize and turmeric. These decisions, he said, are aimed at directly strengthening the rural economy, increasing farm incomes and ensuring dignity and stability for farmers and dairy producers. CM Sukhu stressed that agriculture and allied sectors remain the backbone of Himachal’s economy and the government is committed to making rural areas economically resilient.
On education, the Chief Minister pointed to a dramatic improvement in national rankings. Citing a recent national survey, he said Himachal Pradesh has jumped to the 5th position in quality education, a remarkable rise from 21st place in 2021, overtaking 16 states in just a few years. He described this achievement as a reflection of focused reforms, better governance in educational institutions and sustained investment in human capital.
In the health sector, CM Sukhu said the government is rapidly upgrading medical infrastructure and introducing advanced technologies to ensure quality healthcare closer to home. Robotic surgery facilities have already been started at AIIMS Chamyana and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. He added that this facility would soon be extended to all medical colleges in the state, reducing the need for patients to seek expensive treatment outside Himachal.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s progress on the industrial and digital front. He said investor-friendly reforms have led to Himachal Pradesh being recognised as a “Top Achiever State” under the Business Reform Action Plan-2024 of the Government of India. At the same time, the state is emerging as a leader in digital governance, with increased adoption of digitisation and e-filing. For excellence in citizen-centric digital service delivery, Himachal Pradesh has received the “People First Integration Award,” reinforcing its image as a forward-looking hill state.
Referring to human development indicators, CM Sukhu said a 2025 report prepared in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme shows Himachal Pradesh achieving an average Human Development Index of 0.78, significantly higher than the national average of 0.63. He said this proves that inclusive growth is possible even in resource-constrained regions when policies are aligned with public participation and social equity.
During the meeting, MLAs from Shimla and Kangra placed a wide range of development demands related to roads, drinking water, health institutions, education facilities, tourism infrastructure, disaster mitigation and public utilities. CM Sukhu urged all legislators to submit their priorities in the prescribed format at the earliest so that these could be incorporated into the 2026–27 budget. He also directed senior officers to address the issues raised by MLAs on a priority basis, ensuring timely execution at the ground level.
Adding a strong social and political message, the Chief Minister called upon legislators to actively support the state government’s “Chitta-Free Himachal” अभियान, emphasising that drug abuse poses a serious threat to youth and social stability. He said economic revival must go hand in hand with social reform, law enforcement and community participation.
The meeting was attended by senior ministers, planning board officials, top bureaucrats and department heads, who noted that CM Sukhu’s governance model combines economic revival with social responsibility. As Himachal Pradesh moves towards framing its next budget, the Chief Minister’s focus on health, education and the rural economy is set to remain the cornerstone of the state’s development strategy, with political consensus and administrative urgency driving the agenda forward.
