SHIMLA ,9^th December, 2024 Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated a regulated market at Totu in Shimla district constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore. The facility includes eight shops, an auction platform, a 20-bed dormitory for farmers, a spacious hall for public events and other essential amenities.

The Chief Minister said that the market would greatly benefit farmers from various panchayats, including Dhami, Ghanahati, Majthai, Bagi, Dhamoon, Baichadi, Dhanda, Chail, Nehra, Devnagar, Glot, Jubbarhatti, Rampuri, Shakrah and Kalihatti by ensuring better prices for their cash crops and vegetables nearer to here homes. He said that previously farmers were compelled to travel to Shimla which causes financial losses. The establishment of this market addresses a long-standing demand of the region and was a significant step towards improving the economic well-being of farmers.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that to ensure fair prices to the farmers for their produce the state government was establishing regulated markets in various areas of the state. He said that it would not only strengthen the economic condition of the people in the area but also save their time.

The Chief Minister announced the opening of a Block Medical Office (BMO) in Totu, along with the deployment of sufficient doctors and assured Rs. 2 crore for the construction of the Badaheri-Shilli-Hiranagar road. Apart from this assured to provide funds for sewerage facilities and construction of an ambulance road in two wards of Totu. He said that the state government would provide Rs. 10 lakh each for two crematoriums and a cowshed. He also assured to provide adequate funds for the construction of a college building at 16 Mile.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has purchased 4,000 quintals of maize grown through natural farming at Rs. 30 per kg and plans to buy wheat at Rs. 40 per kg from next year. He said that the government would procure naturally grown Maize flour from the farmers and will sell under the brand name Him-Bhog. He said that we have also increased milk purchase prices with cow's milk now at Rs. 45 per litre and buffalo's milk at Rs. 55 per litre. He said that we have also increased the daily wages of MGNREGA workers from 240 to Rs. 300.

He said that our government was committed to strengthening the rural economy and making all possible efforts to ensure the benefits of welfare schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries. He said that the government would fully fund the education of children of widows until the age of 27 and the scheme would be officially launched on 11^th December. Moreover, the government has adopted 6,000 orphaned children as Children of the State.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the previous BJP government's reckless management had put the state into debits creating financial distress whereas our government had generated additional revenue with its zero tolerance against corruption policy. He said that the present state government has created 31,000 jobs in two years whereas the previous BJP government only created 20,000 in its five-year tenure. He said that the previous BJP government, which prided itself on being a "double engine government," had overseen a decline across various sectors during its tenure. He said that the present state government was undertaking corrective measures to bring about meaningful change. He said that the government was also working to fulfil its guarantees in a phased manner and creating robust education and healthcare infrastructure within three years. He said that his entire cabinet was working towards this goal with steadfast unity. He stated, "We were committed to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant and achieving this would require strong willpower and the collective cooperation of all."

The Chief Minister stated that the timely repair of damaged roads during last year's disaster was crucial in preventing significant losses for apple growers. He said that the state government invested Rs. 100 crore in road restoration efforts which have played an important role in ensuring farmers' hard-earned produce reaches to market without hindrance.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that youth must preserve the rich culture, tradition and language, of the state as they were integral to our identity. He urged people to adopt a healthy lifestyle to safeguard their wellbeing. He said that the state government was establishing Model Health Institutes in every assembly constituency equipped with specialist doctors to provide quality healthcare services to the people close to their homes.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that the present state government was committed to development and working without prejudice. He detailed that Rs. 400 crore worth of development projects have been initiated in the Shimla Rural area over the past two years and balanced development across the state remains our top priority. He also briefed progress on the Taradevi package, part of the Mataur-Shimla four-lane project and shared plans to establish a new city in the Jathia Devi area near Shimla. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for inaugurating the vegetable market and encouraged widespread participation in a grand rally to be held in Bilaspur on 11^th December to mark the government's two-year milestone.

Chairman of APMC Shimla and Kinnaur Devanand Verma thanked the Chief Minister for the vegetable market. He praised the Chief Minister's initiatives to bolster the rural economy, which were already yielding encouraging outcomes.

Former MLA Sohan Lal and Cheranji Lal, Secretary Agricultural C Palrasu, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.