Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the 'Chief Minister's Dialogue with Workers' programme initially for the Pachhad assembly constituency in Sirmaur district and the Chopal assembly constituency in Shimla district. From his official residence, Oak Over, Shimla, the Chief Minister interacted with Congress workers from both constituencies, sought their feedback and discussed developmental works.
The party workers welcomed the Chief Minister's initiative and said that Congress workers stand firmly with the Congress government. They held detailed discussions on development works in their respective constituencies and assured the government of their full cooperation.
The Chief Minister urged all the party workers to remain united and strengthen the Congress ideology while taking the state government's policies and public welfare schemes to the people. He said that during the last three-and-a-half years, the state government has launched several welfare schemes to ensure the well-being of the people, and every eligible person should receive their benefits.
He stated that the Congress government inherited a deteriorated administrative system from the previous BJP government. Several measures have since been taken to improve the system.
He said that significant reforms have been introduced in the health and education sectors. The number of postgraduate seats in medical colleges has been increased, which will further strengthen the healthcare sector in the coming years.
In addition, Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthans have been established in every assembly constituency. The Chief Minister said that over 150 government schools have been affiliated to CBSE by the state government.
The move is aimed at providing quality education to the children living in rural areas and teachers in adequate ratio are being appointed in these schools. He added that to strengthen the rural economy, the government has increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) on milk procurement.
Cow's milk is being purchased at Rs. 61 per litre, while buffalo milk is being procured at Rs. 71 per litre. He also said that the government was promoting natural farming and was providing MSP for agricultural produce grown through natural farming.
The Chief Minister further said that under the Market Intervention Scheme, the government has already made full payments for up to 30 bags of apples purchased from apple growers. The government will now make payments for up to 100 bags of apples, and the payments for quantity exceeding 100 bags will also be released soon.
Shri Sukhu said that the state government was bearing the educational expenses of children of widows and destitute women. Students were also being provided education loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh at one per cent interest under Dr. YS Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana.
The Chief Minister assured the people that there would be no shortage of development in the Pachhad and Chopal assembly constituencies. Adequate funds would be made available to complete all pending works.
He said that the state government has no shortage of funds for development and was committed to ensuring balanced development across the entire state. On the occasion, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Vinay Kumar said that Pachhad was the birthplace of the state's first Chief Minister, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, and the state government was committed to ensuring its development.
He said that by appointing him as the state Congress president, the Congress high command had honoured the entire Sirmaur district. He added that continuous efforts were being made to strengthen the party organisation across the state. He said that the government and the organisation were working together, and the Congress was set to return to power in 2027.
Former Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha Gangu Ram Musafir, Himachal Pradesh Congress General Secretary Vinod Jinta, Congress candidate from Chopal Rajneesh Kimta, Shimla Rural District Congress President Krishan Himral, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister Ritesh Kapret, Congress leader Dayal Pyari and other senior party workers were present on the occasion.