Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the closing ceremony of the four-day State Level Kinnaur Mahotsav in district Kinnaur last evening. He said that this festival is a reflection of traditional music, dance and art forms of Kinnaur.
The Chief Minister lauded the people of Kinnaur for preserving and promoting their unique traditions. He said that such festivals not only unite the community but also make people aware of the rich cultural heritage of the state. The state government is making every effort to preserve the rich culture of the state.
He said that the government has launched various welfare schemes for the development of tribal areas and social and economic upliftment of the people. He said that a heliport will be constructed in Kinnaur. Apart from this, a sports complex is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 28 crore to prevent drug abuse among youth.
He said that the State Government is constructing the world's first Controlled Atmosphere Storage Facility (CA store) with geothermal technology at Tapri in Kinnaur district. For this, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Iceland and Himachal Government. This will benefit the horticulturists by strengthening their economy will be strengthened.
He said that to strengthen the horticulture sector, the state government has started Universal Carton, under which apples are being purchased from the gardeners on per kg basis, which has been possible only due to the good governance system of the government. He said that the road remains blocked for most of the time due to rain in Nigulsari of Kinnaur.
The state government has made a provision of Rs. 5 crore for construction of an alternative road to Reckong Peo so that the people of the area do not have to face inconvenience.Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that after assuming power in the state, the State Government took decisions in public interest and in the very first cabinet meeting, the Old Pension Scheme was restored to give the employees their rights.
As many as 1.36 lakh government employees of the state have been benefited from this scheme.He said that during the disaster, the State Government stood firmly with all the affected people and released a special relief package of Rs. 4500 crore for those affected. He said that developmental projects worth Rs. 30.70 crore have been dedicated for the development of this tribal area.
These schemes will help in the development of the area and the people here will be benefited immensely. He said that the State Government has started English medium from the first class in all Government schools from this academic session to provide quality education to the children. Apart from this, the government is implementing various schemes to further strengthen health services in the state.
The Chief Minister said that the present government is the government of the people, where women are getting due respect, youth are getting employment and farmers are getting fair price for their produce. He said that the state government is making all efforts to achieve the goal of making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state by the year 2027 and the most prosperous state of the country by the year 2032.
The Chief Minister said that the government has fulfilled five out of its 10 guarantees and the benefits of these schemes are being ensured to the eligible people. On this occasion, the Chief Minister gave ownership rights to the poor and landless people of the district by providing them land leases under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Later, the Chief Minister honoured the winners of various competitions organized on the occasion of the state level Kinnaur Mahotsav. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also visited the exhibitions put up by various departments and honoured the participants who took part in the cultural evenings.
Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, District Congress Committee President Umesh Negi, District Mahila Congress President Saroj Negi, General Secretary District Mahila Congress Lalita, Zila Parishad Vice President Priya Negi, Cooperative Bank Director Vikram Negi and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.