In a major announcement aimed at boosting religious tourism and regional infrastructure, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has unveiled a Rs. 100 crore beautification project for the Shri Naina Devi Ji temple complex. The initiative will be executed in three phases, with plans to extend similar upgrades to other prominent temples, including Maa Chintpurni, Maa Jwalamukhi, and Baba Balak Nath.
Speaking at a public gathering during his visit to Shri Naina Devi Ji assembly constituency in Bilaspur district, Sukhu outlined a series of developmental projects aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and the state’s economy. He announced the establishment of a new Public Works Department (PWD) and Jal Shakti Department division in Jagatkhana, as well as a new sub-tehsil in Namhol. Additionally, the government has earmarked Rs. 8 crore to complete the remaining work on a 50-bed hospital in Naina Devi, along with full financial backing for an indoor stadium in Jukhala.
Economic Reforms and Social Welfare
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to grassroots economic empowerment, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s flagship initiatives. He announced an increase in the MNREGA daily wage from Rs. 240 to Rs. 300, which he described as a crucial step towards ensuring financial stability for rural laborers. Moreover, Sukhu reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the Congress party’s six election guarantees, stating that social security allowances of Rs. 1,500 per month for women were being disbursed in a phased manner. By March 2025, 50,000 women are expected to benefit from the Indira Gandhi Sukh Samman Nidhi.
Political Tensions and BJP’s Alleged Disruptions
During his address, Sukhu launched a sharp attack on the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of spreading misinformation and creating unnecessary panic among the public. He stated that ever since the Congress secured 40 MLAs, the BJP has been orchestrating a campaign to destabilize the government. He cited recent remarks by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who claimed that even divine intervention could not save the government. However, Sukhu countered this by asserting that his government remained resilient, overcoming political challenges with the support of the people and divine blessings.
Sukhu further took credit for reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) despite opposition from the central government. He revealed that over 7,000 retired NPS employees, who previously received pensions as low as Rs. 3,000 per month, are now drawing Rs. 30,000 under OPS. He criticized the BJP-led central government for imposing financial restrictions and withholding necessary funds, stating that his administration was determined to overcome these challenges.
Infrastructure, Education, and Health Initiatives
Turning his focus to infrastructural development, the Chief Minister lambasted the previous BJP administration for allegedly constructing buildings worth Rs. 500 crore without a clear plan for their utilization. He emphasized that his government prioritized quality education and healthcare over ill-conceived infrastructure projects. To that end, he announced the phased establishment of Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools in every assembly constituency, aimed at transforming the education landscape of Himachal Pradesh.
On healthcare, Sukhu acknowledged the pressing need to modernize medical facilities across the state. He criticized the inadequate resources at AIIMS Bilaspur, stating that while the hospital had been established, it lacked sufficient doctors and equipment. The government, he assured, was committed to bridging these gaps by providing cutting-edge medical infrastructure across all health institutions.
Financial Challenges and Fiscal Management
In a scathing critique of the BJP’s fiscal policies, Sukhu accused the previous government of leaving behind a staggering debt burden of Rs. 75,000 crore and pending liabilities of Rs. 10,000 crore related to government employees. He alleged that six months prior to elections, the BJP deliberately emptied the state treasury by distributing Rs. 5,000 crore in freebies for political gains. Furthermore, he highlighted that subsidies were being extended to wealthy families and industrialists, urging those earning between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore annually to voluntarily forgo such benefits. He assured the public that these measures would not impact ordinary citizens but would play a crucial role in stabilizing the state’s economy.
Sukhu also took a dig at the central government for failing to provide disaster relief funds to Himachal Pradesh despite having done so for states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand. He asserted that his administration had independently supported 6,000 orphaned children, now legally recognized as ‘Children of the State’ under a newly enacted law. Additionally, the government launched the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, covering the educational expenses of 23,000 children of widows and single women.
Road Development and Anti-Drug Measures
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh backed the Chief Minister’s vision, announcing an allocation of Rs. 80 crore for strengthening the Navgaon-Bari road, with work set to begin shortly. He assured residents that massive developmental projects were in the pipeline for Shri Naina Devi Ji assembly constituency.
Furthermore, Singh voiced serious concerns over the growing drug menace in the state. He reiterated the government’s commitment to stringent action against drug traffickers and urged citizens to actively support the anti-drug campaign by reporting offenders to law enforcement agencies.
BJP’s Alleged Negligence in Disaster Relief
Former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, while welcoming the Chief Minister, accused the central government of systematically depriving Himachal Pradesh of crucial disaster relief funds. He pointed out that unlike Gujarat and Uttarakhand, which received special relief packages, Himachal Pradesh had been left to fend for itself. Thakur praised Sukhu’s government for increasing compensation for fully damaged houses from Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh, ensuring that affected families received adequate financial support.
With sweeping reforms, extensive developmental plans, and an aggressive political stance against the BJP, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has positioned his government as one committed to economic stability, social welfare, and rural empowerment. However, the road ahead remains challenging as Himachal Pradesh grapples with fiscal constraints, opposition resistance, and the ever-present demand for better governance. The coming months will determine whether the government’s ambitious policies translate into tangible benefits for the people or become yet another political promise lost in transition.
