CM Sukhu distributes relief packages worth over Rs 9 cr in Sirmaur district

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu distributed a relief package worth Rs 9.88 crore as the first installment to help 1,388 disaster-hit families in Sirmaur district.

During his visit to Nahan in Sirmaur district, CM Sukhu paid Rs 1.98 crore to 66 families with completely damaged houses, with each family getting an initial installment of Rs 3 lakh. Moreover, Rs. 6.37 crore was allocated for 718 partially damaged houses, Rs. 1.15 crore for 292 cowsheds and Rs. 38 lakh for other affected persons.

Addressing a public meeting, the Himachal CM highlighted the challenges faced by the previous BJP government due to financial mismanagement. He also highlighted the current government's focus on resource generation, aiming for self-reliance within four years and envisioning the state to be the most prosperous in the country within ten years.

“No attention was paid to generating resources for the state and instead the BJP government took a loan of Rs 14,000 crore in the year 2022-23,” the CMO's official statement said.

The official statement further said that CM Sukhu outlined several initiatives, including plans to commence work on the Renuka Dam and discussions with the central government on financing the Kishau Hydroelectric Project. He also stressed the need to increase royalties for hydropower projects to increase state revenues.

“I have also requested the Union government to increase royalties for Dhaula Siddh, Luhri and Sunni hydropower projects, which would generate sufficient revenue for the state,” Sukhu said.

Speaking on the status of Hattis in the Transgiri region, the Chief Minister stated that the notification issued by the central government declaring the Hatti community was not clear in its content and purpose. The state government sought clarification from the Center in this regard and twelve hours after getting the clarification, the state government issued the notification for granting Scheduled Tribe status to this community.

Launching an attack on the BJP for playing with the future of the youth, the Himachal CM said the HP Staff Selection Commission Hamirpur had become a center of corruption during the BJP regime where papers were sold to the selected few candidates. leaving the rest of the youth in a dilemma.

He said that the present state government has dissolved this committee and now 'Rajya Chayan Aayog' has been formed in Hamirpur to ensure impartiality and transparency in the recruitment process and provide justice to the youth.

Underlining the government's achievements, CM Sukhu highlighted the restoration of the old pension scheme, social security initiatives for employees and schemes like Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojana and Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Yojna, aimed at empowering the youth.

Recalling the natural disaster, the Chief Minister said the state suffered huge losses in July and August 2023 in the worst-ever disaster of the decade.

“About 500 people were killed and about 16,000 houses were damaged. Facing tough times without fiscal support from the Centre, the state government announced a special economic package of Rs 4,500 crore to provide relief to the disaster-hit and also increase relief. quantity of manifold by changing the norms,” the official statement from the CMO said.

“To compensate for the damage, the state government has filed claims worth Rs 9,000 crore with the Center as per rules,” CM Sukhu said, adding that he had met several senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, for a special package to the state . However, till date, not a single state BJP leader came forward to help the disaster-affected people and sought financial assistance from the central government.

CM Sukhu further promised future programs to support farmers, improve education by introducing English language in government schools from grade one, and improve healthcare facilities.

During the event, Sukhu announced several infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, aimed at benefiting thousands of people in different parts of Sirmaur district.

The CMO's official statement further stated that the Chief Minister, on the request of the local MLA, announced the approval of the road to all four settlements from Main Road Burampapri, Palian Bhogpur Simbalwala to Gumti Bus Stand, Gumti, and also announced the construction of a double-lane bridge over the Roon River on the Bhogpur Simbalwala road.

According to the official statement, around 9,000 people from three panchayats in the area will benefit.

The Himachal CM also announced the construction of a double-lane bridge over Pathrala ka Khala on Khajurna Bikram Bagh Suketi Kala Amb road, saying this will facilitate around 13,000 people from four panchayats in the area.

The Chief Minister also announced the construction of a road from Banog Dhar Kyari to Sabzi Mandi Kanshiwala. He said this road will benefit about 86,000 people from Nahan town, Nahan Panchayat, Sen Ki Ser and Ambwala Sainwana.

The CMO's official statement said that several leaders, including Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, commended the Chief Minister's efforts to address the needs of Sirmaur, citing significant financial allocations to the district and the personal donation of Rs 51 lakh to the Aapda Rahat Kosh by the CM.

Vice Chairman Vinay Kumar and MLA Ajay Solanki also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Chief Minister for the announcements made and keeping in mind the genuine long pending demands of the area, the official statement said.

Former MLAs Kunwar Ajay Bahadur and Kirnesh Jung, District Congress Committee president Anand Parmar, senior Congress leaders and representatives of various Panchayats were present on the occasion and added the official statement.

First print: January 6, 2024 | 11:32 PM IST