Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, on Friday announced that the state government will invest nearly ₹2,000 crore in the coming financial year to ensure the supply of clean and purified drinking water across the state. The announcement was made while laying the foundation stone of the Turkal Panga Drinking Water Scheme in the Kutlehar Assembly Constituency of Una district.
The Turkal Panga project, estimated at ₹14.92 crore, aims to strengthen drinking water infrastructure in the region and will benefit more than 10,000 residents across Budhan, Chamyari, Dhungle, Lathiani and Tanoh gram panchayats. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for the Samarthya Gyandeep Library and the Samarthya Vyayamshala to promote education and fitness in the area.
Addressing a large public gathering, Sukhu announced the opening of a DSP office and a Sub-Judge Court in Bangana to strengthen administrative and judicial services in the region. He further declared that new Primary Health Centres will be established in Rainsari and Lathiani, while Mahila Mandals present at the event will receive financial assistance of ₹25,000 each.
The Chief Minister said the state government is prioritizing safe drinking water as a critical public health measure. He emphasized that modern purification technologies will be adopted to ensure that residents across the state receive clean water and are protected from water-borne diseases.
During his address, Sukhu praised local MLA Vivek Sharma for actively pursuing development work for the constituency. He remarked that Sharma frequently visits the state secretariat to secure projects and benefits for the people of Kutlehar, reflecting his commitment to public service. Sukhu also highlighted that after a gap of 32 years, the constituency has elected a Congress MLA again.
Taking a political swipe at the opposition, Sukhu criticized the previous BJP leadership, alleging that public funds were misused for political gains. According to him, infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹1,000 crore were undertaken to benefit certain interests, but many of those buildings now remain unused.
The Chief Minister also responded sharply to recent remarks made by the Punjab Finance Minister, asserting that the financial position of Himachal Pradesh remains stronger than that of neighbouring Punjab. He pointed out that while the AAP government in Punjab had promised the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the Congress government in Himachal approved it during its very first cabinet meeting.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the state government, Sukhu recalled the devastating natural disasters that struck Himachal in 2023. He said the administration successfully rehabilitated nearly 23,000 affected families and evacuated around 75,000 stranded tourists during the crisis. Temporary electricity and water supply systems were restored within 48 hours to reduce hardships for residents. The government also increased compensation for fully damaged houses from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh.
He added that the government also faced a “political crisis” during the same period but expressed gratitude to the people of Kutlehar for their support, which helped strengthen the Congress position in the state assembly.
Highlighting progress in key sectors, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh has improved significantly in the field of education. While the state had slipped to the 21st position in education quality during the previous government’s tenure, it has now climbed to the 5th position. The government is now establishing CBSE-affiliated schools across the state, and teaching staff for these institutions will be appointed within the next two months.
In the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister said the government is investing heavily in modern medical infrastructure. Around ₹3,000 crore will be spent on high-end medical technology to upgrade hospitals and medical colleges. He also noted that health institutions in the Kutlehar constituency now have more doctors than ever before, with further appointments planned in the future.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also addressed the gathering, said drinking water projects worth nearly ₹1,000 crore are currently underway across Una district. He added that the government has already ensured drinking water supply to the Mata Chintpurni Temple and nearby panchayats. A ₹47-crore drinking water project for Kutlehar is also expected to receive approval soon.
Agnihotri criticized remarks made by the Punjab Finance Minister regarding Himachal’s financial condition and said Punjab should first address its own fiscal challenges. He pointed out that Punjab’s debt has reportedly crossed ₹4.5 lakh crore. He further said that the Bhakra Beas Management Board has been directed by the Supreme Court of India to pay ₹4,500 crore to Himachal Pradesh, but the payment has yet to be made.
He also raised concerns about Himachal’s pending share in the Shanan Hydel Project and the state’s 7.16 percent stake in Chandigarh, stating that Himachal must receive its rightful share.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Vivek Sharma said that under the current government, development work in Kutlehar has accelerated significantly. He noted that roads, healthcare services and water supply infrastructure are being strengthened to improve the quality of life for residents. Sharma also highlighted that during the recent disasters, affected families received ₹7 lakh in compensation, which he described as a major relief measure by the Congress government.
The event underscored the state government’s focus on strengthening basic infrastructure, improving public services and accelerating development projects in rural and semi-urban regions of Himachal Pradesh.
