After a gap of nearly 15 years, the people of Bara Bhangal - one of the most remote and inaccessible regions not only of Kangra district but of Himachal Pradesh - were overjoyed to welcome Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu among them.
The visit was especially memorable for the younger generation, many of whom were seeing a Chief Minister in person for the very first time. After nearly one and a half decades, a Chief Minister not only visited Bara Bhangal but also created history by becoming the first to spend the night in the region.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's overnight stay marked a significant milestone and reflected his commitment to reaching the remotest corners of the state. This is not the first time that the Chief Minister has travelled to remotest villages to share the hardships of the people.
Under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative, he has consistently undertaken overnight stays in remote regions where public representatives seldom visit. Earlier, he visited and stayed overnight in Dodra-Kwar and Kupvi in Shimla district, Baga Sarahan in Kullu district, remote villages in the tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, and other far-flung areas of the state, where he interacted directly with residents and addressed their concerns.
The Chief Minister's visit has created a festive atmosphere throughout Bara Bhangal. Local residents expressed their gratitude, stating that this was a first visit by a Chief Minister since 2011. They said that the unprecedented overnight stay had greatly encouraged the people and expressed confidence that the announcements made and directions issued by the Chief Minister would usher in a new phase of development for the region.
During the visit, the Chief Minister learned about the local traditions and culture. He donned the 'Chola-Dora' a traditional attire of the people of the region, participated in cultural programmes and performed traditional folk dance with the local residents.
The Chief Minister also visited the agriculture fields to gain a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by the farmers there. He interacted with them regarding the cultivation, production and marketing of Bara Bhangal's renowned rajmah (kidney beans) and also patiently listened to the concerns of sheep rearers.
He stated that the state government was actively promoting natural farming across Himachal Pradesh and was ensuring remunerative prices for farmers' produce through the guaranteed Minimum Support Prices. He informed that the government has fixed the MSP for wool at Rs. 100 per kilogram, which would benefit sheep rearers and local farmers.
He added that the people of Bara Bhangal should also avail benefits from the government's initiative to promote natural farming. The Chief Minister further stated that the state government has launched the 'Rajiv Gandhi Prakritik Kheti Start-up Yojana' to encourage natural farming.
Under the scheme, the MSP for naturally grown wheat has been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kilogram, maize from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kilogram, and barley produced in the Pangi Valley of Chamba district from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kilogram.
In addition, the MSP for turmeric has been enhanced from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per kilogram, while an MSP of Rs. 30 per kilogram has been fixed for ginger. MLA Kishori Lal, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.