Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government has urged the Union Government to reopen trade through the Shipki La pass.
Presiding over the closing ceremony of the four-day International Lavi Fair at Rampur in Shimla district on Friday, he further said that discussions were underway to start the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La, noting that an existing road from Rampur Bushahr and Pooh up to the pass would make it easier to develop the required infrastructure for the pilgrimage.
“I initiated border tourism from Shipki La, and as a result, more than 70,000 tourists have visited this pass along the China border,” he said.
Sukhu announced that the Rampur school would adopt the CBSE curriculum from the next academic session.
Extending his greetings for the Lavi Fair, he said, ”The fair was not only a symbol of our cultural heritage but also a living example of the centuries-old trade and cultural ties between India and Tibet.”
He said that this centuries-old fair continues to serve as a medium for trade, cultural exchange, and the preservation of folk traditions.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was bringing reforms in every sector. Highlighting improvements in education, he said that Himachal Pradesh has now reached the fifth position in terms of quality education, compared to 21st during the previous BJP government’s tenure. ”We have initiated English-medium from the first class and rationalized the schools,” he reiterated.
Speaking about reforms in the health sector, he said that modern equipment would be made available at IGMC Shimla and Chamyana within six months. He added that the neighbouring states do not yet have robotic surgery facilities in the government sector, and Himachal Pradesh has already started this service in Chamyana and Tanda Medical College.
Sukhu stated that every possible effort was being made to support disaster-affected families.
During this year’s monsoon, a sum of Rs 81 crore has been released to around 4,000 disaster-hit families to reconstruct their homes.
He said that the state government has also fully assisted those affected by the disaster that hit Samej near Rampur in 2024.
He added that the government has taken up the issue to rehabilitate families who lost their land due to the disaster on forest land with the Union Government, as the law governing the Forest Act is dealt with by the Central Government.
“If the Central Government grants permission, we are ready to provide one bigha of land to every landless family,” he said.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh welcomed the Chief Minister to Rampur and said that the fair, which began in the 17th century, continues to reach new heights while preserving its original spirit. He stressed the need to connect the younger generation with the fair in changing times.
He said that there will be no shortage in the development of Rampur Bushahr, and with the Chief Minister’s support, the region’s growth will be accelerated.
He stated that approvals amounting to Rs 120 crore have been granted for 13 roads in the Rampur block. He also said that the state suffered heavy losses during the monsoon season, and for the first time, the compensation for fully damaged houses has been raised fourfold to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 1.3 lakh.
He assured that the state government would leave no stone unturned in rehabilitating disaster-affected families, and restoration of roads damaged during the disaster is underway on a war footing.