SHIMLA - 15 March, 2025
CM enquires well being of former legislator Bamber Thakur
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Sukhu today visited IGMC, Shimla to enquire about the well-being of former legislator Bamber Thakur, who sustained gunshot injuries on Friday at Bilaspur. The Chief Minister wished him a speedy recovery.
In an informal talk with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that doctors are giving him best treatment and he is out of danger. He said that this is a highly serious matter and police has been directed to take swift action against the perpetrators. The police have conducted raids over night leading to the arrest of some suspects linked to this incident. He assured that stern action would be taken against those responsible.
Responding to a question, Shri Sukhu said, "Protest is a democratic right of Opposition, but they must also cooperate with the Government. First question is how the drug mafia was allowed to flourish in the State. Due to the earnest efforts of our government, drug cases have dropped by 30 percent. I have ordered a crackdown on the drug mafia in a recent meeting and the state government will introduce Bills in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha to impose stringent measures against organized crimes and drug networks."
Speaker, Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and MLA Harish Janartha also accompanied the Chief Minister.
===========================================
BoD approves Rs. 219.46 crore budget to enhance welfare initiatives for construction workers
The 48th Board of Directors meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (BOCW) was convened here which was presided over by the Chairman of the Board Nardev Singh Kanwar.
The Board approved an annual budget of Rs. 219.46 crore for the financial year 2025-26 to enhance the welfare initiatives for construction workers across Himachal Pradesh. A substantial allocation of Rs. 160 crore has been earmarked for various social welfare schemes aimed at improving the well-being of BOCW beneficiaries.
Besides, a provision of Rs. 35 crore was made for establishment of a day boarding school in Dehra in Kangra district, ensuring access to quality education for the children of construction workers.
The Chairman emphasized skill training programmes to enhance the employability of beneficiaries and facilitate better livelihood opportunities. A decision was also taken to digitize all beneficiary records to streamline processes and improve service delivery. Under Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives, the Board approved awareness and outreach programmes to inform workers about their entitlements under various welfare schemes. As a part of infrastructure development initiative, the renovation of office accommodation at Hamirpur was sanctioned by the Board to enhance administrative efficiency.
Nardev Singh Kanwar expressed gratitude to all attendees for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to the welfare and upliftment of construction workers in the state.
The Board Members Ravinder Singh Ravi, Bhupender Singh, J.C. Chauhan, Hema Tanwar, Rajiv Kumar, Munish Karol, Jyoti Chauhan, Amar Singh, Naresh Chauhan and Neelam Gupta were present in the meeting.