Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday strongly criticised the Union Government’s reported decision to abolish the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and replace it with a new legislative framework, describing the move as deeply unjust to the poor and vulnerable sections of society. Addressing a large public gathering in Indora of Kangra district, the Chief Minister asserted that MGNREGA has been the world’s largest employment guarantee programme and has served as a critical safety net for rural families, particularly during periods of economic distress such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Minister stated that dismantling MGNREGA would undermine rural livelihood security and reverse years of progress made in providing assured employment to millions of households. He said the Himachal Pradesh Government would firmly oppose any attempt to weaken or abolish the scheme, stressing that employment security remains central to inclusive development. According to him, rural employment programmes are not charity but a constitutional commitment to social justice and economic dignity.
The remarks were made during the closing ceremony of the Indora Utsav, a cultural festival organised around the theme “Chitta-Free Himachal.” The event, which drew wide participation from local residents, youth groups and cultural organisations, was praised by the Chief Minister for successfully combining cultural celebration with a strong social message. Announcing a major recognition for the initiative, he declared that Indora Utsav would soon be accorded district-level status, giving it wider visibility and institutional support in the coming years.
Speaking extensively on the state’s campaign against drug abuse, the Chief Minister said the “Chitta-Free Himachal” movement has evolved into a people-driven mission. He informed that properties worth nearly Rs. 50 crore linked to drug trafficking networks have already been seized by enforcement agencies, and the remaining illicit assets would be destroyed within the next six months. Emphasising community participation, he appealed to Panchayati Raj institutions and citizens to actively share information related to drug trafficking through emergency number 112. He assured that informants’ identities would be kept strictly confidential and announced incentives ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 10 lakh for credible information leading to action.
Highlighting the government’s broader development agenda, Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated that strengthening the rural economy remains a top priority. He said Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to provide Minimum Support Price for naturally grown agricultural produce, including wheat, maize, turmeric, barley and milk. This policy, he explained, is aimed at encouraging sustainable farming practices while ensuring stable incomes for farmers. The government’s long-term objective, he added, is to guarantee a minimum monthly income of Rs. 20,000 per farming family.
In the health sector, the Chief Minister outlined significant investments to modernise medical infrastructure across the state. He said obsolete medical equipment is being replaced from medical colleges to civil hospitals, with funds amounting to Rs. 3,000 crore released for advanced diagnostic facilities such as MRI, CT scan and X-ray machines. Robotic surgery has also been introduced, and five medical colleges have been equipped with high-end 3-Tesla MRI machines. He further noted that strict checks have been enforced to prevent misuse of the HIMCARE health insurance scheme, ensuring benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.
Referring to administrative reforms, Chief Minister Sukhu said special revenue courts have been established to clear long-pending cases, resulting in the disposal of a record 4.63 lakh cases so far. He described this as a major step toward transparent and citizen-friendly governance.
The Chief Minister also highlighted key legal and financial victories that, according to him, mark Himachal Pradesh’s journey towards self-reliance. He said the state government has secured a favourable verdict in the long-pending Wild Flower Hall case after 23 years of litigation, a decision that is expected to generate around Rs. 20 crore annually for the state. Similarly, he pointed out that the revision of royalty terms for the Karcham-Wangtoo hydropower project has increased the state’s share from 12 percent to 18 percent, resulting in an additional annual revenue of about Rs. 150 crore.
Earlier, the Chief Minister interacted with children at the Angel Orphanage Home, spending time with them and reaffirming the government’s commitment to child welfare and social inclusion.
Local MLA Malender Rajan welcomed the Chief Minister and said the Indora Utsav was conceived to raise awareness among young people about the devastating impact of drug abuse. He said the state government’s firm crackdown on the drug mafia is beginning to show positive outcomes and reiterated confidence in the government’s vision of a prosperous and self-reliant Himachal Pradesh.
The programme also featured cultural performances by renowned singer Lakhwinder Badali, the Himachal Pradesh Police Band, and local artists and cultural troupes, adding vibrancy to the occasion.
Agriculture Minister Prof Chander Kumar, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Chairman of Wool Fed Manoj Thakur, Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation Vishal Chambyal, Chairman APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra, former minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri, former MLA Ajay Mahajan, senior Congress leaders, officers and other dignitaries were present at the event.
