The Education Minister was on a visit to his home area Jubbal today, where he inaugurated the newly constructed Primary Health Centre Barthata (Batadgalu) at a cost of about Rs 1 crore 46 lakh.
On this occasion, while congratulating the local people, he said that this health institution has been completed in a record 2 years and with the construction of this health centre, the people of Gram Panchayat Barthata, Kathasu and Badhal Panchayat will be benefited.
He stated that construction of 11 primary health centers is currently underway in the Jubbal-Nawar-Kotkhai assembly constituency. Approval for all these institutions was received during the previous Congress government, and the foundation stone for these primary health centers was laid by him. He also stated that he has a familial and emotional connection with the Barthata, Badhal Dhar, and Kathasu panchayats. In light of this, as in the entire assembly constituency, various development projects are proceeding at full speed here, including this primary health center.
Discussing road development works, he informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana Phase-3, the Bhagoli Barthata road is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 18 crore 37 lakh, of which 95 percent work has been completed and work is in progress. The Kathasu Sawda road is also being upgraded at a cost of Rs 19 lakh 13 thousand, of which 50 percent work has been completed. Along with this, the work of Badhal Lehroti Banana Katarla road from Mihana Khad has also been completed under NABARD, Rs 14 crore 59 lakh has been spent on the upgradation work of this road.
Health services strengthened in the last 3 years
Highlighting the developments underway in the health sector, the Education Minister stated that during the last three years of the Congress government’s tenure, serious and effective decisions have been taken to strengthen health services and infrastructure, and we are seeing positive results. Today, the Community Health Center in Kotkhai has emerged as an ideal health institution. Doctors specializing in medicine, gynecology, eye care, pediatrics, and various other specialists are providing services, benefiting local residents and those from other areas. A large trauma center is also slated for construction in Kotkhai, for which land has been selected and construction will commence shortly. The Civil Hospital in Jubbal is also a large and old hospital, and several important facilities are being provided to strengthen and strengthen health services.
He stated that various specialist doctors are currently providing services in Jubbal, benefiting local residents. The hospital is undergoing improvements, including the installation of an ECG device and the repair of an X-ray machine. This will facilitate patients’ treatment. He added that hospital management has been instructed to ensure patient comfort during the winter season, ensuring adequate arrangements for electric heaters, blankets, and other essential items. He added that water tanks will be kept clean and safe to ensure clean and pure water for patients and their families.
Rohit Thakur stated that apple farming is the backbone of Himachal’s economy, and he is continuously striving to strengthen and improve this industry. The government has historically increased the support price for apples by ₹2. The government released a lump sum of ₹153 crore under the Mandi Mediation Scheme and cleared orchardists’ liabilities, including ₹90 crore pending from the previous BJP government. Additionally, the government decided to implement the Universal Carton to protect orchardists from fraud in the name of overweight, benefiting even small and marginal farmers.
Himachal’s orchardists will suffer losses due to reduction in import duty on apples imported from New Zealand.
Taking aim at opposition leaders, he said they are spreading confusion among the public in the name of apple orchards, whereas the truth is that even during the devastating 2025 flood, roads were repaired day and night, and 100% of the orchardists’ apples were marketed. The central government is currently making every effort to destroy Himachal’s apple orchards. Just a few days ago, the import duty on apples imported from New Zealand was reduced from 50% to 25%, which will directly harm Himachal orchardists. He expressed surprise and regret that all four of Himachal’s MPs in the Lok Sabha currently belong to the BJP, yet neither he nor the local leaders of Jubbal, Kotkhai, and Nawar have issued any statement on this issue, demonstrating the BJP’s opportunism.
On this occasion, Jubbal Nawar Kotkhai Congress Mandal President Motilal Derta, District Council Member Kaushal Mungta, Kotkhai Tehsil Union President Guman Singh Chauhan, former District Council Member Motilal Sithta, Youth Congress President Ju0 Na0 Kotkhai Deepak Kalta, Gram Panchayat Barthata Gopal Chauhan, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Badhal Kuldeep Pirta, Gram Panchayat Pradhan Kathasu Geeta Nazta, and public representatives of the adjoining Panchayats, along with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Yashpal Ranta, Block Medical Officer Sanjay Anand, Public Works Department contractor Kapil Rawat, Sub Divisional Magistrate Jubbal Gurmeet Negi, BDO Jubbal Karan Singh, SHO Jubbal Chetan Chauhan and officers and employees of all departments were present.
