
Himachal Pradesh Marks 55th Statehood Day with Announcements and Achievements
- Breaking NewsHIMACHALKANGRAPOLITICS
- January 25, 2025
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Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 55th Statehood Day with grandeur at Baijnath in Kangra district, where Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended warm wishes to the people. The event was marked by a reflection on the state’s remarkable journey since its inception and significant announcements aimed at boosting development. Paying homage to the contributions of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, the Chief Minister highlighted their roles in securing statehood for Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag and presided over an impressive march-past featuring contingents from various police forces, NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides, and more. Parade Commander IPS (Probationer) Ravinandan led the parade. Key announcements included the upgradation of Chadiyar Sub-Tehsil to a Tehsil, a new Public Works Department sub-division in Chadiyar, and the establishment of a digital library. Plans were unveiled for developing Tattvani’s hot springs and Kheer Ganga Ghat as tourist hubs and constructing a bridge over the Binwa River on the Paprola-Baijnath bypass road. Beautification of the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Baijnath and establishing a Primary Health Center in Sansal were also assured.
The Chief Minister announced the opening of a Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School in Mahalpat village and M.A. courses in Political Science and Sociology at Baijnath Government College. Changes in the jurisdiction of Police Chowki Multhan will now benefit eight panchayats, bringing over 7,500 people across 35 villages under Police Station Bari. The government also pledged to develop grazing lands and address issues affecting shepherds under the Forest Rights Act.
Reflecting on fiscal challenges, the Chief Minister emphasized the efforts to generate resources rather than rely on loans. He revealed that 63% of loans taken in the last two years were used to repay debts from the previous government. While the state’s revenue deficit grant from the central government has reduced significantly, the current government managed to generate Rs. 2,200 crore through policy reforms in excise, tourism, power, and mining.
Employment generation has been prioritized, with over 42,000 jobs created in the past two years compared to 20,000 in five years under the previous regime. Recruitment processes have been revamped, resulting in filling numerous government positions, including in education, police, and the Jal Shakti Department. Plans to create 25,000 new posts are underway, promising diverse opportunities for the state’s unemployed youth.
The Chief Minister highlighted that six out of ten promises made during the assembly elections have been fulfilled. These include restoring the Old Pension Scheme for 1.36 lakh employees and launching the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana, which offers an honorarium to eligible women. Initiatives like starting English-medium education from the first grade, establishing modern Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools, and launching the Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana for low-interest student loans were also spotlighted.
The government has rolled out the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-Up scheme, raised MSPs for natural farming crops, and introduced schemes for purchasing cow dung to benefit small farmers. The Chief Minister noted that 2,000 individuals voluntarily gave up electricity subsidies, reflecting growing public support for state welfare initiatives.
Tourism development remains a key focus, with projects like water sports in Gobind Sagar Lake and establishing Kangra as the tourism capital. High-profile infrastructure projects, including a Rs. 150 crore convention center in Dharamshala and a world-class wellness center in Nagrota Bagwan, are underway. Other initiatives include constructing a 600-crore zoological park in Dehra and developing Himachal’s second-largest ropeway in Shimla at Rs. 1,600 crore.
The government’s efforts to connect remote areas through road and bridge infrastructure have also been accelerated, with a special focus on integrating regions like Bara Bhangal and Dodra-Kwar. Welfare schemes under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana have provided significant support to orphans, destitute women, and the elderly, including state-sponsored tours for children.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu underscored the importance of sports, employee welfare, and strengthening rural economies through initiatives like milk processing plants and enhanced MSPs for milk. The event concluded with a vibrant cultural program and the presence of key dignitaries, further emphasizing the state’s commitment to progress and development.
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