Shimla, Dec 3
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, while addressing a public gathering at Bakhli in the Siraj Assembly constituency of Mandi district, said on Tuesday the government would fulfil seven Assembly poll key guarantees on December 11, the day it completes it completes two years of formation.
Besides, the government is working to introduce more welfare schemes in the future. The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to serving the common people and said that all Cabinet Ministers were also working with dedication to resolve public issues. He mentioned that the government dissolved the Subordinate Services Selection Commission in Hamirpur after allegations of corruption and paper leaks, asserting that he could not let the future of the youth be jeopardized due to such corruption.
He questioned the inaction of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur during these incidents. The Chief Minister stated that the government has discontinued the practice of halting development projects initiated by previous governments. He highlighted that the present government has allocated Rs 28 crore for the Baglamukhi ropeway project, which serves as an example of the Congress government's commitment to meaningful development.
He accused the previous BJP government of constructing buildings without appointing staff and opening 900 institutions just before the elections without providing adequate budgets and manpower. Such actions were described as a betrayal of the people, and he emphasized that the government would open new institutions only after ensuring proper staffing.
Furthermore, he noted that the previous BJP government left the state treasury in dire straits, with no money left to run the government for even a month. Over the past two years, significant policy changes have been introduced to benefit the common man. The restoration of the old pension scheme for 1.36 lakh government employees, the release of an 11 percent dearness allowance for employees and pensioners, and an increase in police diet allowances to Rs 1,000 are measures reflecting the state’s improving financial health.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that steps have been taken to strengthen the rural economy. The government has introduced schemes like purchasing cow milk at Rs 45 per litre, buffalo milk at Rs 55 per litre, maize at Rs 30 per kg, and wheat at Rs 40 per kg. Additionally, MNREGA daily wages have been increased from Rs 240 to Rs 300.