Celebrating the third anniversary of the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced that the state government is firmly moving towards making Himachal a self-reliant and prosperous state within the next two years.
Addressing the ‘Jan Sankalp Sammelan’ at Paddal Ground in Mandi, he outlined the challenges faced by the government over the last three years and the efforts made to steer the state through economic stress, political instability and repeated natural calamities.
Launching a scathing attack, the Chief Minister alleged that the previous BJP government left behind a massive debt burden of Rs 75,000 crore due to financial mismanagement and reckless expenditure.
He said the present government had to borrow heavily just to service that debt. In addition, arrears worth Rs 10,000 crore payable to employees were also left unpaid, creating additional strain on the state exchequer.
Sukhu further accused the previous BJP government of compromising the state’s interests, citing the sale of 4,500 bighas of land for merely Rs 1.12 crore under a so-called customised package without proper registry.
He said the Congress government has acted to safeguard Himachal’s resources and ensure that its rightful claims are asserted before the Centre and neighbouring states. Significant decisions, he added, are being implemented to strengthen the state’s financial fundamentals and reduce dependency.
Highlighting key achievements, he said the government secured a major legal victory in the Wildflower Hall case, ensuring an annual income of Rs 20 crore for the state. The royalty from the Karchham–Wangtoo hydro project has been increased from 12 to 18 per cent, bringing an additional Rs 150 crore in annual revenue.
He also claimed that while the previous BJP government earned only Rs 450 crore in four years from liquor vend renewals, the present excise policy has generated the same amount in a single year.
Responding to criticism from the BJP, including remarks over his use of an Alto car, Sukhu said such personal attacks reveal political frustration.
He asserted that the government’s performance would earn a clear mandate in 2027, remarking that “we will return in a 52-seater Volvo”. By then, he said, Himachal will be a fully self-reliant state.
Emphasising the government’s focus on public welfare, he highlighted the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana, through which orphaned children have been legally adopted as “Children of the State”. He also spoke of extensive relief efforts during recent disasters and reiterated that restoring OPS was a decision rooted in social security, not politics.
Urging people to support the state’s development journey, Sukhu said the coming two years would redefine Himachal’s destiny and image, transforming it into a model of prosperity and resilience.
On the occasion, Sukhu disbursed financial assistance amounting to Rs 14,17,18,354 to construction workers enrolled under various welfare schemes of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, benefiting a total of 3,835 workers and their families.
Under the CM Single Window and Divyang Housing Scheme, financial support of Rs 19 lakh was given to 19 beneficiaries. The state government also provided Rs 1.50 crore as death and funeral assistance to 117 beneficiaries, ensuring immediate relief to affected families.
A major portion of the financial aid was distributed under the education assistance category, where Rs 9.28 crore were given to 3,040 beneficiaries to support the schooling and higher education needs of workers’ children.
Under marriage assistance schemes, Rs 3.01 crore were released to 600 eligible beneficiaries. The government also extended maternity and paternity benefits amounting to Rs 1.73 lakh to 10 beneficiaries.
Special assistance of Rs 1.80 lakh was provided to nine mentally challenged children, ensuring enhanced care and support for vulnerable dependents of construction workers.
Under the Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojana, Rs 10.42 lakh were given to 10 beneficiaries for housing support. In addition, medical assistance amounting to Rs 3.53 lakh was disbursed to 30 beneficiaries to provide relief during health emergencies.