
Sukhu Government on Development Spree , Drives Education, Rural, and Health Reforms
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- January 12, 2025
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The Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh is accelerating development initiatives with a focus on transformative changes in education, rural economy, and healthcare. In a significant move, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for a Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School at Amlehar in the Nadaun Assembly Constituency. The state-of-the-art institution will be built at a cost of Rs. 25 crore on 125 kanals of land. Directed to be completed within a year, the school will include modern sports facilities alongside its educational offerings.
The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the state’s education system. He revealed that the administration is contemplating the establishment of three separate directorates for education: one covering pre-primary to class second, another for classes third to twelfth, and a third for undergraduate education. A formal decision is expected soon. The government aims to bring comprehensive changes through the phased introduction of Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools in each assembly constituency to provide rural students with access to quality education and modern amenities under one roof.
Highlighting past challenges, Sukhu criticized the previous BJP government’s decision to open 600 schools without ensuring adequate staffing, which he attributed to a decline in educational quality, placing Himachal Pradesh 21st nationally. In response, the current administration has sanctioned 11,833 positions in the education department over the past two years, with 3,196 TGT, JBT, and C&V teachers already appointed and further recruitments underway. Efforts include hiring 6,297 Early Childhood Care Education Tutors, 5,291 TGT, Shastri, and JBT educators, along with 245 Special Educators to bolster the educational framework.
Beyond education, the state government is working to strengthen the rural economy. It has introduced procurement measures for cow and buffalo milk at Rs. 45 and Rs. 55 per litre, respectively. Natural farming initiatives are supported through the purchase of maize at Rs. 30 per kilogram and wheat at Rs. 40 per kilogram. Additionally, the government has procured 4,000 metric tonnes of natural maize. The wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) have seen a historic hike from Rs. 240 to Rs. 300, signaling a focus on uplifting rural livelihoods.
In healthcare, the government is enhancing facilities with world-class technology installations at major institutions, including IGMC Shimla, Tanda, Hamirpur, Nerchowk Medical Colleges, and AIMSS Chamiana, to provide better medical care and reduce travel burdens for patients. The Chief Minister also announced the construction of a new building for the Amlehar Gram Panchayat to support local governance infrastructure.
The event saw the participation of key government officials and dignitaries, including representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions. The state government’s multi-faceted development approach aims to improve the quality of life for citizens while laying the groundwork for sustainable progress.