Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing during the Jan Sankalp Sammelan organized at Paddal Ground in Mandi today, highlighted the challenges faced by the state government during last three years on the front of economic, political and natural calamities and how they resolutely confronted them.
The Chief Minister said that the previous BJP government left the burden of a debt of Rs. 75,000 crore to the state exchequer due to its extravagance and financial mismanagement. The present government was compelled to take loans merely to repay this liability.
In addition, even the responsibility of paying employee's arrears amounting to Rs.10,000 crore was also left on the present government. He said that the former BJP government sold 4,500 bighas of land for only Rs.1.12 crore in the name of a customized package without registry.
Our Government is committed to safeguarding the state’s resources and interests of the people adding that the rights of the Himachal would not be allowed to be plundered. Significant decisions had been taken to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant and prosperous state, while firmly asserting our rightful claims before the centre and neighbouring States.
The Chief Minister said that in the Wildflower Hall case, the state government secured a legal victory, ensuring an annual income of Rs. 20 crore for the state. He said that due to the sincere efforts of the present government, royalty from the Karchham-Wangtoo project had increased from 12 to 18 per cent, which would bring an additional annual revenue of Rs. 150 crore.
While the previous BJP government earned merely Rs. 450 crore in four years by renewing liquor vends, our government generated the same amount within just one year through the excise policy. The Chief Minister said that the BJP was resorting to misleading and personal attacks.
Even his use of an Alto car was made a subject of petty criticism. However, our government’s performance would ensure a return to power in 2027, with a “52-seater Volvo”. He said that true servants of public life fear no one and by 2027, Himachal Pradesh would become self-reliant state.
Sh. Sukhu said that public welfare was of paramount importance for the present Congress government in the state. Immediately after assuming office, the government implemented the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana under which through legislation, orphaned children had been adopted as “Children of the State”.
This was not a political guarantee but an outcome of compassionate thinking. He also highlighted the government’s extensive efforts to support disaster-affected people during the recent natural calamity. The Chief Minister said that the decision to restore OPS was not politically motivated but taken to ensure social security for employees and their family members.
Reaffirming the Congress Party’s commitment to public service and national interest, he said the party had sacrificed two Prime Ministers for the unity and integrity of the nation. He urged the people to support the government's efforts in becoming a self- reliant state within the next two years. He said that together we would transform the destiny and the image of Himachal Pradesh.