Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing a largely attended public gathering at Dari Mela Ground in the Dharamshala Assembly constituency of Kangra district, announced the construction of the country’s largest International convention center near Tapovan at a cost of Rs. 150 crore.
He said that this convention center would host seminars by major companies, boost tourism and create employment opportunities for local youth. The Chief Minister also announced the operationalization of PHC Yol Cantt, funding for the construction of a bridge in the IT Park, allocation of adequate funds to complete the OBC Bhawan and road construction projects, including a road from the school in Jhiyol to Anjani Mata, Parol to Ghiyana Khurd Bara Khaula, Kufri to Chamunda Temple, Alkhani to Jayul Kand Kardiyana, Kaned to Jhakhrehad, Cheliyan to Pasu, Tika to Bani, and Lunta-Bagotu-Khabrot-Tillu.
He said that the present State Government would not compromise on corruption and added that during the previous BJP government, the gap between the rich and poor was widened and government jobs were allegedly sold. He highlighted the police recruitment scam, which was a live example of the betrayal of unemployed youth.
The present Government, he said, was working with transparency and initiated vigilance inquiries into irregularities in the Jal Shakti Department’s Theog division and taking strict action against corrupt practices. He further said that the BJP government misused the State Treasury for political benefits, while his government has been making earnest efforts to benefit the common people.
He said that the Congress government fulfilled its election promise by reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to 1.36 lakh government employees and asserted that OPS will continue as long as Congress is in power in the State. He said that the Central Government has reduced the state’s loan limit by Rs. 1,600 crore and imposed additional restrictions for reinstating the OPS.
He said that nearly Rs. 9,000 crore under NPS was still held up with the central government and the Union Government was pressurizing the State to implement the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). Sh. Sukhu said that the Central Government has not released Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) funds for disaster-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh and that the demand for a special relief package has also been rejected.
He accused BJP leaders in the State of politicizing the disaster instead of standing with affected families during this critical period. The Government was focusing on education and healthcare improvements to provide better facilities to the people. Soon, PET scan machines would be available at IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College for timely and accurate treatment of the patients.
He said that subsidies for water and electricity would continue for the needy, along with support for house construction. However, well-off families were being encouraged to voluntarily surrender subsidies, with 1,500 people already giving up electricity subsidies, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress government does not make decisions for political gain but ensures public welfare. He criticized the local MLA from Dharamshala assembly segment for betraying the party and the people. He added that despite setbacks in the Dharamshala by-election, the Congress party has regained strength with 40 MLAs in the assembly.
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar highlighted the State Government’s focus on agriculture, encouraging people to return to farming to increase their income. He emphasized the importance of integrating natural farming with livestock management and said that measures for fencing and water availability at departmental farms, where seeds would be prepared and provided to farmers.
He also urged the farmers to shift towards cash crops.Congress leader Devender Jaggi accused the local MLA of being absent from public concerns, only appearing on social media.
Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs Sudarshan Bablu and Ashish Butail, Chief Minister’s IT Advisor Gokul Butail, Chairman of Kangra Co-operative Primary Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania, former MP Viplove Thakur, former MLA Surendra Kaku, APMC Chairman Nishu Mongra, Congress leader Karn Pathania, NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah, Mayor Municipal Corporation Dharamshala Neena Sharma, Secretary Ritesh Chauhan, Managing Director, H.P. Milkfed Vikas Sood, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, SP Shalini Agnihotri and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.