Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the meeting with MLAs from Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur and Lahaul-Spiti districts to discuss their priorities for the 2025-26 annual budget said the government was focusing on strengthening the rural economy by introducing new schemes and programmes as 90 percent of population of the state lives in villages.
He said that change was must with the passage of time and the state government was changing the rules to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state. To overcome the burden of debt, the state must become financially independent and new suggestions in this regard were always welcome.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to provide a support price for milk. The government was purchasing cow milk at Rs. 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 55 per litre. Apart from this, maize produced from natural farming was being purchased at Rs. 30 per kg and wheat at Rs. 40 per kg. The government has also introduced "Himbhog" Atta, made from naturally grown maize.
Shri Sukhu said that to promote rural women entrepreneurs, an e-commerce website has been launched for products made by self-help groups. The government has also amended the Land Ceiling Act, giving equal rights to daughters in ancestral property. Furthermore, orphaned children have been recognized as "Children of the State" and were being sent on exposure visits.
The Chief Minister said the present state government was ensuring balanced and equitable development of all the assembly constituencies. The priorities have been re-evaluated and recommendations have been made to NABARD without any discrimination. In the last two years, NABARD has sanctioned Rs. 1,691 crore for 251 projects for assembly constituencies.
He directed officials to focus on getting forest clearance and gift deeds while preparing detailed project reports for MLA priorities so as to ensure that the projects could be started well in time. He said that strict action would be taken against officials for unnecessary delays in completion of DPR process.
MLA from Arki Sanjay Awasthi requested for speedy construction of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and dedicated spaces for women self-help groups to sell their products. He also proposed construction of a ropeway in the area.MLA, Nalagarh Bawa Hardeep Singh urged to expedite the completion of the Pinjore-Baddi and Baddi-Nalagarh roads.
He also demanded to take strict action against the drug and illegal mining mafia.MLA from Doon Chaudhary Ram Kumar requested for the improvement in roads, electricity, and water supply and healthcare facilities in the area. He also requested to expedite the construction of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School.
MLA, Kasauli Vinod Sultanpuri highlighted the need to connect scheduled caste dominated villages with proper roads. He also demanded construction of a bus stand in Dharampur and strengthening of road infrastructure. To promote tourism in the area, he proposed development of Kaushalya Dam and to open more employment opportunities for the local youth.
MLA from Chamba Assembly Constituency, Neeraj Nayyar, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for allocating Rs.170 crore to Chamba Medical College and for initiating the construction of an indoor stadium, bus stand and mini secretariat in Chamba. He urged for the swift completion of the heliport and requested for the promotion of tourism activities in the region.
MLA Lahaul-Spiti Assembly constituency Anuradha Rana while highlighting the huge potential of tourism in the region stressed the need to develop winter sports to boost tourism activities in the area. She also advocated securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Seabuckthorn to generate employment opportunities for the local communities.
The MLA also expressed concern over the rising incidents of landslides and urged to formulate a comprehensive mitigation plans to deal with any eventuality.Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani also took part in the discussion and gave their recommendations to the government.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, administrative secretaries, concerned Deputy Commissioners and HoDs of various departments were present in the meeting.