Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his visit to Banjar in Kullu district on Wednesday, unveiled plans for significant infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering education and the local economy. Among the major announcements was the establishment of the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School, which will be affiliated with the CBSE, and a state-of-the-art milk processing plant with a capacity to process 10,000 liters of milk per day. These initiatives are part of the state government’s broader push to modernize the region and create long-term solutions for local development.
The CM emphasized that these measures reflect the government’s commitment to improving the education system in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in rural areas. He noted that past administrations, including that of former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, had failed to provide adequate staffing and infrastructure for educational institutions, despite launching new schools. Sukhu’s government, on the other hand, has focused on enhancing existing institutions by appointing qualified teachers and upgrading facilities, ensuring better learning environments for rural students. He also mentioned the creation of a Directorate of School Education overseeing grades 1 to 12, as well as the introduction of English-medium classes in schools.
In a pointed political remark, Sukhu also criticized the previous administration for allegedly diverting state resources and distributing electoral freebies to the tune of Rs. 5000 crores in a bid to win elections. He accused his predecessors of undermining the state’s development by prioritizing political gains over sustainable progress.
Turning to matters of inter-state relations, Sukhu addressed the ongoing issue of pending arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which has been a long-standing point of contention with neighboring states. He clarified that while Himachal Pradesh was willing to release water from the Kishau Dam project to Delhi and Haryana, it would only do so after the pending dues—dating back 14 years—are paid. Sukhu asserted that he would not compromise the interests of Himachal Pradesh, insisting that neighboring states should first file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to settle the arrears before any further progress could be made on the Kishau Dam project.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to address the current political atmosphere in the state, which has seen increasing divisions within the BJP. He pointed out that former BJP leaders, now accusing his government of corruption, had not raised their voices when the people of Himachal were affected by the 2023 natural disasters. Unlike the previous administration, which failed to secure aid from the central government, Sukhu’s government promptly intervened, offering a special relief package for disaster-affected families. The compensation for completely damaged houses was raised from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh, while the amount for partially damaged homes was increased to Rs. 1 lakh.
Highlighting the ongoing focus on rural development, Sukhu mentioned that his government had also increased the support prices for milk, a significant boost for local dairy farmers. The support price for cow milk was hiked from Rs. 32 to Rs. 51 per liter, while buffalo milk prices were raised from Rs. 47 to Rs. 61 per liter. Additionally, the government introduced a minimum support price of Rs. 40 per kg for maize grown through natural farming, and Rs. 60 per kg for wheat. A transport subsidy of Rs. 2 per liter of milk was also announced to ease the financial burden on farmers.
In an effort to conserve the environment, Sukhu outlined initiatives under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, where Mahila Mandals (women’s groups) and Yuvak Mandals (youth groups) would be encouraged to plant and conserve forests. A substantial budget of Rs. 100 crore has been allocated to this initiative. He further criticized the previous government for leaving behind a massive debt of Rs. 75,000 crore, much of which was attributed to politically motivated decisions.
MLA Sunder Singh Thakur praised the Chief Minister for his commitment to the development of Banjar and surrounding regions, noting that the projects announced were a significant boon for the people of Seraj Valley, Tirthan Valley, and Banjar. The state’s focus on rural development was also echoed by various other local leaders who were present at the gathering, including MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur and Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur.
As part of the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ (Government at Your Doorstep) initiative, Sukhu’s visit underscores the government’s determination to directly address the concerns of rural residents and ensure that development reaches the grassroots level. The focus on sustainable development, education, agriculture, and rural empowerment has been a cornerstone of the current administration’s policy.
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