SHIMLA-14^th December, 2024 -Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced to celebrate Indora Utsav-2024 as district-level festival from next year. He also distributed eligibility certificates to 14 children under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana. He said that this scheme has been started to support the education of children of widows and single women and the state government would bear all the expenses.

While greeting the people on the occasion of Indora Utsav, the Chief Minister praised the festival for its efforts in spreading awareness about drug abuse through cultural programmes. He said that the efforts of the local community to this cause were truly commendable. He said that the state government was taking strong action against drug abuse, especially in areas near Punjab. He highlighted that the government has a law to seize the properties of those involved in the drug trade and properties of drug offenders in the Indora area have already been confiscated. He reassured that the government was fully committed to continuing its tough measures to combat the drug problem.

Sh. Sukhu assured that adequate funds would be allocated for the development of the Indora Assembly constituency. He also reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to the overall development of Kangra district and the work of expansion of Kangra Airport and the establishment of a Rs. 300 crore state-of-the-art milk processing plant at Dhagwar was under progress. Apart from this, the state government has given approval for water sports at Pong Dam and activities set to begin soon.

He said that since our government assumed office we have focused on ensuring the welfare of the common people and numerous initiatives have been implemented to strengthen the rural economy. He said that we have enhanced support price of cow milk from Rs. 32 to Rs. 45 and buffalo milk from Rs. 47 to Rs. 55 per kilogram. A decision to purchase locally produced maize at Rs. 30 per kilogram and wheat at Rs. 40 per kilogram has also been taken, which would directly benefit rural farmers and encourage their produce. Furthermore, the daily wage under MNREGA has been raised to Rs 300. He said that while farmers were protesting across the country whereas the state government was actively implementing welfare schemes to support farmers.

Reflecting on his own journey, the Chief Minister expressed his pride in coming from a common family and working towards policies that benefit the common man. He said that our government has increased the compensation for those affected by last year’s disaster in Indora, from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government has fulfilled seven key promises, including reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees in the very first cabinet meeting whereas the BJP government after forming their government in Rajasthan abolished it. He further said that due to internal conflicts within the BJP, the party now was divided into five factions. He said that during the tenure of BJP the so-called double-engine government in the state there was a decline in every sector in Himachal Pradesh, whereas our government was bringing reforms that would lead to positive outcomes.

MLA Malender Rajan welcomed the Chief Minister to the Indora Assembly constituency and thanked him for gracing the occasion. He said that the festival aims to raise awareness among youth about the dangers of drug abuse and highlighted the strict actions being taken by the government against the drug mafia, which were already yielding positive results.

He also praised the state government for its numerous welfare initiatives, including the Sukh-Ashray Yojana for orphan children. He said that the present state government was committed to encouraging local artists through events like the Indora Utsav. He said that the Chief Minister has left no stone unturned for the development of Indora parliamentary constituency.

On the occasion, folk singer Iishant Bhardwaj captivated the audience with his music performance. Apart from this Punjabi singer Kamal Heer and other cultural groups also gave mesmerizing performances.

The Chief Minister also visited the exhibitions set up by various government departments.

Health Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Deputy Chairman State Planning Board Bhawani Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation Vishal Chambiyal, Former MLA Ajay Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, SP Ashok Rattan and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.