Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused BJP leaders of obstructing additional borrowing permissions for the state from the Central Government, despite such permissions having been granted during the BJP’s own tenure.
He alleged that the Centre had withheld financial assistance to the state after the Congress government restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and also blocked Rs 1,600 crore of the loan limit meant for Himachal.
Addressing a public meeting in Karsog in Mandi district, the Chief Minister said that the BJP was spreading false rumours that women were not receiving Rs 1,500 under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna.
“The amount is being distributed in a phased manner,” he said, assuring that all eligible women would soon be covered under the scheme.
Sukhu also criticised the previous BJP government for opening educational and other institutions without need or planning. He alleged that buildings worth Rs 1,000 crore were constructed merely to benefit contractors. “An ITI building worth Rs 40 crore was built in Chhatri and Siraj where only 18 students are enrolled,” he said. The Chief Minister reiterated that his government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption.
He further accused the previous “double-engine” government of draining the state’s treasury, saying Himachal Pradesh received Rs 50,000 crore less revenue compared to the earlier term. “The BJP government squandered public money for political gains, while our government is ensuring that every rupee is spent for public welfare.”
Highlighting his government’s achievements in education, the Chief Minister said, “Due to the lack of vision of the previous regime, Himachal had slipped to the 21st position in quality education by 2021. However, systematic reforms under the present government have now brought the state to fifth place. Recruitment for 6,000 teachers has been initiated, with 3,000 already appointed to ensure that children receive quality education.”
Announcing new development projects for the Karsog constituency, the Chief Minister said that Government Senior Secondary School Karsog would be upgraded to Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and affiliated with CBSE from the next financial year.
He also announced the construction of a milk processing plant, a 66 KV substation, conversion of Tibban and Pangna schools into CBSE schools, and the opening of Patwar Circles at Sanarli, Mated, and Baneda.
Sukhu said that adequate funds would be provided to complete the ITI building where AI and machine learning courses will soon be introduced. He also announced that a radiologist would be appointed at Karsog Hospital.
The Chief Minister pointed out that Karsog had suffered heavy losses during the recent monsoon disaster and said a study was being conducted to identify the causes of recurring cloudbursts. He announced Rs 7 lakh each for rehabilitation of 94 completely damaged houses.
Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur said that under Sukhu’s leadership, dairy farmers’ income had increased, with milk prices rising by Rs. 21 per litre in two years. He said Milkfed now procures three lakh litres of milk daily, compared to only 90,000 litres during the previous government’s tenure.
Later, the Chief Minister distributed Rs 18 lakh to 12 beneficiaries under the Vidhwa and Ekal Nari Aawas Yojna, gave Rs 1 lakh each to four children under the Chief Minister’s Sukhashray Yojana, and handed over land documents to an eligible landless child under the same scheme.