Press statement issued by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani from Shimla on January 14, 2025

SHIMLA, 14.01.25-Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani in a press statement issued here today said that Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur was misleading the people of the state by making baseless statements. He said that Jai Ram Thakur's statement regarding the dismal affair of the state treasury was baseless and Jai Ram Thakur has become habitual to make wild assumptions about the financial condition of the state, whereas the reality was that in a single day on 13^th January, 2025 bills worth Rs. 550 crore have been cleared from the treasury ensuring release of payments to about 10,000 beneficiaries.

They said that it is only during the public holidays that the treasury remains closed or when the government declares or notifies a public holiday. Such baseless statements of the opposition leaders reflect their lack of wisdom and awareness about the policies and transformative initiatives implemented by the Congress government in the last two years. The opposition has chosen to mislead the public with unfounded criticisms instead of acknowledging the real progress.

The ministers said that Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable achievements under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Sukhu. Himachal has become the first state in India to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk. With a view to strengthen the economy of the farmers, the support price of milk has been increased significantly. The MSP of cow milk has been increased from Rs. 32 to Rs. 45 per litre, while the MSP of buffalo milk has been increased from Rs. 47 to Rs. 55 per litre. The present Congress government has set an example by providing the highest support price on wheat and maize produced through natural farming. The Congress government has also fulfilled long-standing demands of the orchardists by introducing Universal Carton System and by paying Rs. 153 crore due to the horticulturists under Market Intervention Scheme.

During the last two years, the Government has achieved unprecedented achievements in every sector. The Ministers said that the track record of the Congress government reflects its commitment towards ensuring development, inclusive growth, welfare and transparency.