Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated the second phase of the ‘Citizen Connect Programme’ in Shimla under the state’s flagship initiative ‘Clean City, Prosperous City’.
Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s journey towards self-reliance, he said the state is witnessing continuous positive transformation, with the government focusing on inclusive and sustainable urban development to meet the challenges of a growing population and urbanisation.
During the event, the Chief Minister launched the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukaandaar Sukh Kalyan Yojna’, 15 Municipal Shared Services Centres, nine online citizen services, the Chief Minister Urban Digital Identity Scheme, an awards scheme under the Swachhata Survey, Central Business Districts in Hamirpur and Shimla, and hydraulic parking facilities of the Urban Development Department.
He gave settlement letters to small traders and award letters to Self-Help Groups under the ‘Amrit Mitra Scheme’. Urban Local Bodies were also awarded for their exemplary work. The Urban Development Department also signed four MoUs in the presence of the Chief Minister with industrial houses.
He praised the ‘Him Seva Facility Portal’, noting that it provides all citizen services through a single platform, called it a unique initiative national level.
He highlighted major urban development projects, including a Rs 400 crore shopping complex in Mandi, Rs 150 crore worth of city beautification works in Hamirpur, and a shopping complex to be developed at the site of the old bus stand in Hamirpur.
Urban development projects worth Rs 707 crore will be implemented soon, along with additional facilities worth Rs 500 crore in Shimla. Utility ducts will be established across municipal corporations in the state, following Shimla’s model.
The Chief Minister also spoke about future plans for a world-class ‘Him-Chandigarh’ city near Baddi and emphasised government initiatives to strengthen governance, increase citizen participation, and ensure transparency in urban local bodies.
Highlighting citizen-centric schemes, CM Sukhu referred to the ‘Chief Minister Urban Livelihood Guarantee Scheme’, which provides 120 days of assured employment to the urban poor. He said GIS technology is being used for urban planning, revenue enhancement, tax transparency, and property verification, with mapping underway in 36 urban local bodies.
Financial relief measures for Laghu Dukaandaar (small traders) were also announced, including one-time settlement options for outstanding loans of up to Rs 2 lakh. He said the state government has taken an important decision in the interest of small shopkeepers. Under this decision, shopkeepers who have outstanding bank loans of up to Rs 1 lakh, and whose accounts have been declared non-performing assets (NPAs), will be given a one-time settlement facility of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Similarly, shopkeepers with outstanding loans between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh will also be provided one-time assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Digital services were further expanded with the launch of nine new online services. Over 2.5 lakh citizens were registered in the first phase, and 15 integrated cluster-based citizen service centres are being established at a cost of Rs 47.37 crore.
Every urban household will receive a unique digital identity through digital door plates. He stated that biogas plants with a capacity of 5–20 TPD will be set up to promote energy, organic fertiliser production, and circular economy practices. Urban local bodies ranking among the top 100 in the National Cleanliness Rankings will be rewarded to encourage healthy competition.
Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar highlighted the use of modern technology for efficient service delivery and inclusive urban development.
Also Read: Himachal focuses on measures to protect drinking water resources
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