CM Sukhu’s bold moves earn widespread praise from people of Pangi

SHIMLA-14^th April, 2025-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s bold and impactful decisions have won admiration even in the remote Pangi region. With his visit to Pangi, discussions about his decisive governance have echoed through the narrow lanes of Pangi and the entire region is appreciating the welfare measures being taken under his leadership.

Veer Singh Rana, a former member of the Dharwas Panchayat Samiti, remarked, “Who cared about the state’s resources before? The state government has taken a firm stand on the Baira Siul and Duggar hydroelectric projects of our Chamba district. This move will benefit not just Chamba but the entire state in the times to come. Sh. Sukhu is someone who thinks out of the box.”

In a recent cabinet meeting, the state government decided to bring several major hydroelectric projects under its control, including the 382 MW Sunni, 210 MW Luhri Stage-1, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh projects, previously allocated to SJVN, as well as the 500 MW Duggar and 180 MW Baira Siul projects allocated to NHPC.

Former Pradhan of gram Panchayat Dharwas Raj Kumar added that Sh. Sukhu is delivering far more than what is being asked of him. CM met with a senior BRO officers and asked them to take over the Chamba-Bairagarh-Sach Pass-Killar road, which holds strategic and logistical significance. This demand wasn’t even raised by the people of Pangi, but it reflects the Chief Minister’s proactive and visionary thinking. This route is critical as it connects the remote Pangi valley, located near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Actual Control. In the event of the Manali-Leh and Rohtang routes being closed, this road can serve as a vital alternative.

He further said, “Currently, Sach Pass remains open for vehicular traffic only for four to five months in a year. The Chief Minister has also proposed bringing the 13-kilometre Tissa Tunnel under BRO’s control. This will reduce the Chamba-Killar distance by 88 kilometers and ensure year-round connectivity.”

Local resident Roshan Lal also praised Sh. Sukhu’s vision, saying, “Very few leaders think deeply about the state and its people, and Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is truly one of them.”

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CM announces new Nephrology and Neurology departments at Hamirpur Medical College on Ambedkar Jayanti

· Unveils Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Statue and dedicates development projects worth Rs. 38 Crore

Shimlka, 14.04.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti unveiled a statue of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Deputy Commissioner Office complex in Hamirpur today. Marking the birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister also dedicated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects amounting to about Rs. 38 crore.

Speaking at the commemorative event organised by the Congress Party’s Scheduled Castes Department, the Chief Minister paid tributes to Dr. Ambedkar and said that his vision and leadership laid the foundation of a Constitution that ensures welfare, equality and justice for all sections of society.

Inspired by Baba Saheb’s ideals, the Chief Minister said that the present state government was committed for building a self-reliant and prosperous Himachal Pradesh. Despite the challenges posed by the reduction in GST compensation and significant cuts in revenue deficit grants by the 14^th and 15^th Finance Commissions, the State Government has taken major steps to strengthen the fiscal system. The positive outcomes are now visible and we seek continued public support to carry this momentum forward, he said.

He said that the state government was working to provide the best health and education systems in the country. After establishing the Cardiology Department at Hamirpur Medical College, new departments for Nephrology and Neurology would also be set up. It would offer modern treatment for kidney and neurological ailments within the region. He said that Rs. 85 crore had already been sanctioned for a dedicated Cancer Care Institute in Hamirpur.

The Chief Minister while highlighting the reforms done in education sector said that the State Government was committed to providing quality education through the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools for the children of the state. He said that several educational institutions were opened by the previous government without any budgetary provision and without students or basic infrastructure. Similar irregularities had been observed in the health sector as well which the present government was actively rectifying.

Referring to the State Budget, he added that the government had started various welfare and developmental schemes to strengthen the rural economy. Minimum support prices for natural farming produce have been raised, and daily wages under MGNREGA have been substantially increased.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled Dr. Ambedkar’s statue installed at a cost of Rs. 15 lakh. He inaugurated residential buildings of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau constructed with an outlay of Rs 5.08 crore. Apart from this he also inaugurated a Revenue Colony worth Rs. 2.01 crore, the Sub Health Centre building and staff quarters at Dharog costing Rs 4.42 crore and a Farmers Advisory Centre built at an expense of Rs 1.71 crore.

He also laid the foundation stones for a heliport to be constructed in Jaskot at a cost of Rs. 18.42 crore, a Mechanical Block at the Polytechnic College in Baroo worth Rs. 1 crore, and the Bhagot-Fafan road project with an outlay of Rs. 5.26 crore.

Chief Minister’s Political Advisor Sunil Sharma Bittu, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Captain Ranjit Singh Rana, Chairman of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Chairman of Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania, Vice-Chairman of OBC Finance and Development Corporation Dr. Mohan Lal, senior Congress leaders Dr. Pushpender Verma, Subhash Dhatwalia, Suman Bharti, APMC Chairman Ajay Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Amarjeet Singh, SP Bhagat Singh Thakur, Professor Sunil Dutt Gautam, Sheetla Gautam and Yash Gautam, who contributed to the installation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue, were present on the occasion, along with office bearers of the Congress Scheduled Caste Department, other frontal organizations of the party and representatives of local bodies.

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CM receives warm welcome in Pangi valley asks installation of Solar Project

SHIMLA,14.04.25- On his arrival in Killar, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was warmly welcomed by the local residents in the remote Pangi Valley in Chamba district. The Chief Minister landed at the Dharwas helipad, where locals dressed in traditional attire greeted him enthusiastically. Representatives from various Panchayats honored him at the helipad and brought their concerns to his attention.

Assuring the people of prompt redressal of their issues, the Chief Minister said that the state government was commitment to the development of tribal areas. He announced Rs. 25 lakh each for the construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawans (women’s community centers) in Dharwas and Lunj. Additionally, he declared Rs. 10 lakh for the completion of another Mahila Mandal Bhawan in Lunj, and Rs. 1 lakh each for three Mahila Mandals for purchasing necessary equipment.

Encouraging residents to establish solar power plants on private land, the Chief Minister said “The State government will offer a 5 percent interest subsidy for setting up solar energy projects ranging from 250 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas. Whereas, in non-tribal regions, projects between 250 KW and 1 MW will receive a 4 percent interest subsidy, while larger projects exceeding 1 MW will be eligible for a 3 percent interest subsidy.

The Chief Minister will stay overnight in Killar and preside over the state-level Himachal Day celebrations scheduled for Tuesday.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLA Sunder Thakur, Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devender Shyam, CM’s OSD Ritesh Capret, APMC Chamba Chairman Lalit Thakur, Congress leader Surjit Bharmauri, along with representatives of various Panchayats, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, SP Abhishek Yadav and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

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No Power woes in Pangi next winter

• CM lays foundation stone for 1 MW solar power project

SHIMLA, 14.04.25-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone of a 1 MW solar power plant at Dhanwas in the remote Pangi Valley. The project, estimated at a cost of Rs. 10.50 crore, is scheduled for completion before November 2025. The Chief Minister directed officers to expedite the construction process and ensure timely completion of this vital infrastructure. Once operational, the solar power plant will guarantee uninterrupted power supply to all 19 Panchayats of Pangi Valley, even during the harsh winter months.

The project also includes a 500-kilowatt battery storage system to provide electricity during nighttime, effectively eliminating load shedding and bolstering the region’s power distribution network. Spread over 2.2 hectares, the plant will feature 2,400 solar panels dedicated to clean energy generation.

The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s focused efforts on harnessing renewable energy to improve the quality of life in remote and far-flung regions. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a Green Energy State by 31^st March 2026.

He said that “this project is a testament to our resolve to promote green energy and ensure reliable infrastructure in the tribal and remote areas of Himachal Pradesh,” said Sh. Sukhu.

The Chief Minister announced Rs. 25 lakh each for the construction of four Mahila Mandal Bhawans in Karyas panchayat and rupees one lakh each for purchasing necessary equipments. He also announced one crore rupees for the construction of temple road in the panchayat.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLA Sunder Thakur, Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devender Shyam, CM’s OSD Ritesh Capret, APMC Chamba Chairman Lalit Thakur, Congress leader Surjit Bharmauri, Yashwant Khanna along with representatives of various Panchayats, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal, SP Abhishek Yadav and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.