Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired the meeting with MLAs from Kangra, Kullu and Kinnaur districts here today to discuss their priorities for the annual budget 2025-26. The Chief Minister informed that the state government had secured approval for 127 projects worth Rs. 903.21 crore from NABARD for the year 2024-25.
These projects include 50 MLA-priority schemes under the Public Works Department worth Rs. 412.75 crore and 23 MLA-priority schemes under the Jal Shakti Vibhag amounting to Rs. 179.07 crore. These schemes include two major initiatives of the state including establishment of a 1.5 LLPD capacity dairy processing plant at Dagwar in Kangra district and 96 electric bus charging stations.
The Chief Minister assured that efforts were being made to secure approval for more MLA-priority projects from NABARD by March, 2025. Apart from this, the government has allocated Rs. 1087.77 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for 2024-25, with 5.28 percent increase as compared to previous year.
Shri Sukhu said that the state government was working with a motto of 'Vyavastha Parivartan' for overall and inclusive development of the state. He said that significant decisions had been taken over the past two years in the sectors like education, healthcare, self-employment, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, horticulture, industry and women and child development.
He reiterated that the present state government was dedicated to ensuring rapid and sustainable progress of all sections of the society. The government has increased the daily wages of the MNREGA workers from Rs. 240 to Rs. 300 benefitting over thousand's of the workers.
He said that in the upcoming three years, the state government would introduce various schemes for strengthening the rural economy which would also generate employment opportunities for the local youth.
Efforts were also being made to boost tourism in the state, with a special focus on religious and tea tourism. He said that the tea tourism model of West Bengal would also be studied for possible implementation in Himachal Pradesh.
He said that the government was working to root-out the drug mafia from the state and assured that stricter measures would be enforced in the near future. MLA of Indora Assembly Constituency of Kangra district, Malender Rajan requested for establishing an Adarsh health institute and expansion of healthcare facilities in the area.
He also sought the construction of an additional grain market and incentives for sugarcane farmers in the region. MLA from Dehra constituency Kamlesh Thakur urged the appointment of staff in new government offices to felicitate the people of the area.
She also requested for opening of new Patwar Circles, improving sports infrastructure in schools and colleges and also enhanced tourist facilities at historic temples. MLA, Jawalamukhi Sanjay Rattan said that 60 percent of the projects taken up in the previous meeting had been completed and work on the remaining was in progress.
He thanked the Chief Minister for fulfilling 12 out of 14 promises made during his February 2024 visit to the area. He requested improved tourist facilities in Jawalamukhi and the establishment of a fire post in Khundiyan.
MLA from Palampur Ashish Butail expressed gratitude for the releasing Rs. 70 crore for the beautification of Palampur city, Rs. 135 crore sewerage schemes besides construction of heliport in the area. He urged the promotion of tea tourism in the region and repair of Newgal Bridge along-with establishment of a Veterinary University in Palampur.
MLA, Baijnath Kishori Lal thanked the Chief Minister for organizing the Statehood Day function at Baijnath. He said since Bir-Billing was recognized as world fame for paragliding and keeping this in view, a tourist information centre should be opened in the area.
He also urged the launch of heli-taxi services from Baijnath to Bada Bhangal and Chhota Bhangal. MLA, Manali Bhuvneshwar Gaur demanded to expedite the construction work of the ice skating rink in the area.
He said that NHAI was collecting toll tax on an unfinished road, which was not justified. He urged to halt toll collection until the road was fully completed. He also requested up-gradation of the HPMC cold store in Patlikuhal to a CA store and to speed up the construction of two ropeways.
MLA, Kullu Sunder Singh Thakur stressed the need for continuous air connectivity to Kullu and advocated for direct flights from Chandigarh to Bhuntar. He also requested additional staff for Kullu regional hospital and the Mother and Child hospital.
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman Bhawani Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and administrative secretaries, concerned Deputy Commissioners and HoDs of various departments were present in the meeting.