Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing a public gathering at Dehuri in the Banjar development block of Kullu district during his two-day visit on Wednesday, announced the opening of a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School based on the CBSE curriculum and a milk processing unit with a capacity of 10,000 liters in Banjar.
He stated that the state government was implementing extensive reforms in the field of education and that these efforts would continue in future.
He accused former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur of misusing public resources, alleging that he distributed electoral freebies worth ₹5,000 crore to win the assembly elections. Sukhu claimed that the previous administration opened new institutions but failed to provide staff and adequate facilities, leading to a decline in the quality of education. "We are not opening new educational institutions, but appointing teachers in schools and providing facilities so that children in rural areas can receive a better educational environment," he said.
"As part of our reforms, we created the Directorate of School Education for classes 1 to 12, started English-medium classes, and will continue to implement widespread changes in the education sector," the Chief Minister added.
Regarding inter-state water disputes, Sukhu said, "I went to Delhi with the demands of the people of Himachal Pradesh. We will supply water to Delhi and Haryana, but only after they clear the BBMB arrears pending for the last 14 years to Himachal Pradesh. I have clearly said that the neighbouring states should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to pay this arrear. Only then will we move forward on the Kishau Dam. I consider the state as my family and will not compromise on the interests of Himachal Pradesh."
The Chief Minister also accused those previously accused of corruption of making baseless allegations against the current government to mislead the public.
"Today, they have become the policy-makers of the BJP, but they should first examine their own record," he said. He claimed that the BJP is currently divided into five factions. "During the natural disaster in 2023, BJP leaders did not approach the Central Government even once to seek help for affected families, while the Congress government stood with the people. We amended rules to rehabilitate affected families, provided a special relief package, and increased compensation for fully damaged houses from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh. Compensation for partially damaged houses was increased to ₹1 lakh."
He added, "I personally visited Kullu district during the disaster, and the state government provided financial assistance for the rehabilitation of 223 completely damaged and 853 partially damaged houses."
Sukhu was in Banjar under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme. He noted that his Cabinet colleagues were also visiting rural areas to address public grievances. The state government's development focus was particularly aimed at rural regions.
He also highlighted various initiatives:
- The support price of cow milk was raised from ₹32 to ₹51 per litre, and that of buffalo milk from ₹47 to ₹61.
- A minimum support price of ₹40 per kg was fixed for maize grown using natural farming methods, and ₹60 per kg for wheat.
- A transport subsidy of ₹2 per litre is being provided to farmers.
Under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, the participation of Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals is being ensured for forest planting and conservation efforts, with a sanctioned budget of ₹100 crore.
He also pointed out that the previous government left a debt of ₹75,000 crore on the state by prioritising political gains.
MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said that today the Chief Minister had given a big gift to Banjar region, which was a matter of good fortune for Seraj Valley, Tirthan Valley and Banjar. The Chief Minister was always concerned about the development of Kullu district. During the disaster, he understood the pain of the people here and provided them relief. He said that the state government was promoting e-vehicles to protect the environment of the state. Sh. Sukhu started his politics from Banjar Assembly and development of this place was the priority of the state government.
Chairman, APMC Kullu Ram Singh Mian thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the developmental works for the area. He said that the Chief Minister was well aware of the pain of the common man and was making and implementing schemes for their welfare.
MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur, Congress leader Ses Ram Azad, Vidya Negi, District Council Kullu Chairman Pankaj Parmar, former minister Khimi Ram Sharma, Secretary Ashish Singhmar, Director Women and Child Development Department Pankaj Lalit, DC Torul S Ravish, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and other dignitaries were present.
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