Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu strongly condemned the Union Government’s decision to abolish the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and replace it with a new legislation. MGNREGA has been the world’s largest employment scheme and a lifeline for the poor, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Minister said that abolition of MGNREGA was an injustice to the poor and the State Government would firmly oppose this move. The Chief Minister was in Indora in district Kangra, to preside over the closing ceremony of the 'Indora Utsav' on Friday.
The festival, organised on the theme 'Chitta-Free Himachal', was highly appreciated by the Chief Minister. He also announced that Indora Utsav will soon be granted district-level status. Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Sukhu said that the “Chitta-Free Himachal” campaign has become a mass movement.
Illegal properties worth Rs. 50 crore linked to drug trafficking have been seized so far, and the remaining illicit assets will be destroyed within six months. He appealed to the public and Panchayats to support the campaign and urged citizens to share information through emergency number 112, assuring full confidentiality and rewards ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 10 lakh.
Elaborating the development initiatives of the State, the Chief Minister highlighted that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the country to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown crops, including wheat, maize, turmeric and barley and milk.
Strengthening the rural economy remains a key priority, with a goal to ensure a minimum monthly family income of Rs. 20,000 for every farmer. In the health sector, he said modern technology is being prioritized, with replacement of outdated equipment from medical colleges to civil hospitals.
Funds of Rs. 3,000 crore have been released for MRI, CT scan and X-ray machines, and robotic surgery has been introduced. Five medical colleges have been equipped with 3-Tesla MRI machines. Strict measures have also been taken to prevent misuse of the HIMCARE scheme.
The Chief Minister said special revenue courts have been set up to dispose of long-pending cases, with a record 4.63 lakh cases already settled. Highlighting steps towards self-reliance, the Chief Minister said the government has won the Wild Flower Hall case which was in litigation from last 23 years.
The decision of the Apex court will help generate Rs. 20 crore annually for the State. The efforts of the State government yielded results as now the JSW operating Karcham-Wangtoo project have to pay 18 percent royalty to the state instead of 12 percent earlier, which will generate Rs. 150 crore additional income to the State per year.
He said the State Government was ensuring holistic development and creating ample employment and self-employment opportunities. The Chief Minister also interacted with students of Angel Orphanage Home. MLA Malender Rajan welcomed the Chief Minister and said the festival aims to spread awareness among youth about the harmful effects of drugs.
He added that the State Government’s firm action against the drug mafia is yielding positive results and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Himachal Pradesh prosperous and self-reliant. Cultural performances by renowned singer Lakhwinder Badali, HP Police Band, local artists and cultural troupes were also presented.
Agriculture Minister Prof Chander Kumar, Vice Chairman Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Chairman Wool Fed Manoj Thakur, Vice Chairman, HP Industrial development Corporation Vishal Chambyal, Chairman APMC Kangra, Nishu Mongra, Former Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri, Former MLA's Ajay Mahajan Congress leaders, senior officers and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.