SHIMLA 6 August, 2026
• All aspects of demands of Zila Parishad employees would be examined sympathetically: Sh. Sukhu
• Property acquired through corrupt practices would be confiscated and distributed among the poor: CM
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today dedicated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects worth around Rs. 48 crore in the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency of Shimla district. The Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Block Development Office building in Mashobra. He also laid the foundation stone of the HPPWD Division Office at Bhattakufar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 6 crore, the HPPWD Sub-Division Office at Baldeyan in Mashobra to be built at a cost of Rs. 3.64 crore and the new ITI building at Mashobra, which will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 crore. In addition, he laid the foundation stone of a link road project to be executed at a cost of nearly Rs. 22 crore, aimed at improving road connectivity in the constituency.
While addressing a public gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the present Congress government was firmly committed to protecting the interests and resources of the people of Himachal Pradesh. He alleged that the previous BJP government had weakened the state’s assets and had allotted nearly 5,000 bighas of land in Baddi to industrialists at throwaway prices under the guise of industrial packages. Referring to the recent natural disasters, the Chief Minister said that more than 23,000 houses were damaged across the state. The government responded with compassion and urgency and remained on the ground, ensuring timely relief and assistance to every affected family.
The Chief Minister said that the state had secured a significant legal victory in the Wildflower Hall case and had also ensured an 18 per cent free power share from JSW without compromising the interests of Himachal Pradesh. He further stated that the government had successfully safeguarded the state’s interests in the Kishau Project by taking a firm and principled stand on the issue. This was expected to generate an additional annual benefit of nearly Rs. 600 crore for the state. He added that the government would continue to make every effort to secure Himachal Pradesh’s rightful share and protect its long-term interests.
Sh. Sukhu said that 1.75 lakh poor families had been identified through a comprehensive survey and that the state government would soon launch the ‘Apna Parivar-Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ for their socio-economic upliftment. He further said that the government was also preparing a new scheme to provide health insurance coverage to nearly 10 lakh eligible families.
Emphasising upon rural development, the Chief Minister said that nearly 80 per cent of Himachal Pradesh’s population lives in rural areas and that strengthening the rural economy remains one of the government’s top priorities. He said the government was focused on ensuring that greater income reaches people living in villages through various welfare and development initiatives.
The Chief Minister further said that around 150 government schools had been brought under the CBSE curriculum to improve the quality of education, particularly in rural areas. He said the initiative had resulted in an increase of nearly 24,000 students in enrolment. He added that the government was filling vacant teaching posts on a priority basis and had released Rs. 87 crore to further strengthen these schools and improve educational infrastructure.
Sh. Sukhu also highlighted the government’s initiatives to strengthen the healthcare sector. He said that 3 Tesla MRI machines were being installed in government medical colleges and that robotic surgery facilities had been introduced to provide advanced medical care within the state. He added that vacant posts in health institutions were being filled on a priority basis to further improve healthcare services.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Chief Minister said that properties acquired through corrupt practices would be confiscated and distributed among the poor. He added that individuals possessing disproportionate assets would be required to explain the legitimate sources of their wealth.
Assuring Zila Parishad employees of the government’s support, he said that all aspects of their demands would be examined sympathetically and sincere efforts would be made to address their genuine concerns.
The Chief Minister also announced the opening of a CBSE school at Mashobra, financial assistance for the construction of PWD Division and Sub-Division office buildings, and the provision of an X-ray machine for the area.
Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off 137 vehicles in the first phase of the state’s rural solid waste management initiative. These vehicles will provide door-to-door waste collection services in rural areas, making waste management more efficient, scientific and environmentally sustainable. He said that around 700 additional vehicles would be deployed in the next phase and would be operated by gram panchayats to further strengthen rural sanitation and solid waste management across the state.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said that the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency had witnessed unprecedented development under the present Congress government, with projects worth over Rs. 500 crore either completed or currently under execution. He said that more than 120 roads had been approved under the Forest Rights Act in the constituency. He further stated that modern Panchayat Ghars were being constructed across the state in line with the vision of the Chief Minister, adding that this model had received appreciation and was now being emulated by several other states.
He further alleged that despite fulfilling its commitments towards government employees, the state government had not received adequate financial assistance from the Centre. He said that Rs. 1,500 crore as financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister had not yet been released and that several central grants due to the state had also been withheld. He further asserted that the development of the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency had largely been driven by Congress governments.
MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, Deputy Convenor of the Nasha Nivaran Board Sanjay Thakur, Vice Chairman of HIMUDA Yashwant Chhajta, Advisor to the State Agricultural Marketing Board Narender Singh Thakur, Chairman Kailash Federation Baldev Thakur, Director Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Raghav Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh, along with other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
