Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held the Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar programme at Gram Panchayat Tangroti in the Dharamshala Assembly constituency on Friday, where he interacted with local residents and addressed their grievances. During the public outreach programme, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh each for the local Mahila Mandals and approved funds for the Ramed–Tangroti link road, tarring of the Tangroti link road and upgrades to several adjoining rural roads.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to boosting tourism, the Chief Minister said that Kangra district has been officially declared the “Tourism Capital of Himachal Pradesh.” He informed that Rs 460 crore has already been released for the expansion of the Kangra Airport, and work is progressing steadily. Once the project is completed, he said, the airport will significantly enhance land value in the region and lead to a sharp rise in tourist inflow, strengthening the local economy.
Emphasizing the government’s focus on rural welfare, the Chief Minister said that over 90 percent of Himachal Pradesh’s population resides in villages, and the administration is making every effort to uplift the rural economy. He noted that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cow milk has been raised to Rs 51 per litre and buffalo milk to Rs 61 per litre to support cattle rearers. Similarly, MSPs for natural farming produce have also been declared, with wheat being procured at Rs 60 per kg, maize at Rs 40 per kg and raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg. He added that the government was working to create local employment opportunities to help the youth become self-reliant.
Referring to the recent by-elections, the Chief Minister alleged that the BJP won the Dharamshala seat on the basis of false propaganda. He said Congress candidate Devinder Singh Jaggi lost by a narrow margin to a candidate who defected from Congress to the BJP.
Highlighting achievements in the education sector, Sh. Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh has attained the status of a fully literate state with a literacy rate of 99.30 percent, placing it among the top five states in the country in reading and writing proficiency. He stated that effective reforms implemented by the present government have elevated Himachal Pradesh to the 5th rank in qualitative education, a significant improvement from the 21st rank recorded during the previous BJP government.
The Chief Minister further announced major improvements in the health sector. Robotic surgery has started at RPGMC Tanda in Kangra district and at Chamiyana Hospital in Shimla, following the model of AIIMS. He said the government has approved Rs 28 crore for the installation of a state-of-the-art PET Scan machine at RPGMC Tanda. Advanced CT Scan and X-ray units are also being installed across health facilities to improve diagnostic services.
Speaking at the event, Congress leader Devinder Singh Jaggi said the Chief Minister was committed to ensuring that government welfare schemes reach the grassroots. He added that the Tangroti milk collection centre would soon be expanded and also alleged that the BJP MLA from Dharamshala has remained disconnected from the public.
Local panchayat representatives welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister. Among those present were Chairman of Wool Federation Manoj Thakur, Mayor of MC Dharamshala Neenu Sharma, Chairman of APMC Kangra Nishu Mongra and several other dignitaries.
