State to be self-reliant by 2027: CM

Kullu: Presiding over a function to mark completion of two years of Congress govt in Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, while addressing a large gathering at Luhnu Ground in Bilaspur on Wednesday, said the state would become self-reliant by 2027. While presiding over the event, the chief Mminister said that the present state government was committed for the overall and equitable development in the state. Sukhu said that he would not let the state's wealth be misused and would ensure its equal distribution among all sections of society.“This was not just a celebration of two years but a reaffirmation of our mission. Uur true celebration would be in 2027 when Himachal Pradesh would become self-reliant,” said Sukhu. He said that the state government implemented the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for 1.36 lakh employees, despite facing pressure from the central government. “Following last year’s monsoon disaster, the state govt provided a special relief package of Rs 4,500 crore to the affected families. Our govt has revised disaster relief manual for affected families from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh. The central government was yet to release the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) funds to Himachal Pradesh,” Sukh said.The chief minister said that the Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, had challenged the government in the Assembly, claiming that even God cannot save this government. “However, with the blessings of the people and the deities of Himachal, we succeeded in saving our government from the conspiracies of the BJP leaders,” the CM said. Sukhu added, “Our govt is focusing on strengthening the rural economy and enhancing the price of milk. The daily wage of MGNREGA was increased by Rs 60, taking it to Rs. 300. Apart from this, the state government has purchased 4,000 quintals of maize grown through natural farming. Next year, the government would buy wheat grown through natural farming at Rs 40 per kilogram. The upcoming budget of the present state government would prioritize strengthening the rural economy.” The Chief Minister also accused the previous BJP government of being ineffective during its five-year term. He said that under Jai Ram Thakur's leadership, police recruitment exam papers were leaked, jobs were sold through the Subordinate Staff Selection Commission and a PPE kit scam occurred during the pandemic. He also alleged that industrial land was sold at just Rs.1 per square meter and corruption continued unchecked. The chief minister expressed happiness that JP Nadda has become the national president of the BJP but criticized him for “spreading falsehoods about Himachal Pradesh.”‘Those who backed BJP now jobless’In his speech, MP and General Secretary of the Indian National Congress Committee Rajeev Shukla accused the BJP of disregarding the people's mandate and trying to topple governments using money power. Shukla said that those who supported the BJP were now unemployed, and said that the BJP is adept at lying and spreads misinformation through the media. He questioned why the BJP despite its pro-Hindu stance, cannot protect Hindus in Bangladesh. He highlighted Congress's achievements such as MGNREGA, the Right to Information Act and farmer loan waivers and accused the BJP of merely taking credit for schemes while intimidating others with its power. Shukla said that Jai Ram Thakur's attempt to topple the democratically elected governments has failed.‘BJP will never form govt in HP again’Deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri said in his speech that the BJP has been trying to destabilize the state govt over the past two years but such attempts have failed. He said Congress was safe, secure and even stronger. He stated that the BJP would not form a government in Himachal Pradesh again. “BJP is also trying their best to tarnish the government's reputation after failing to destabilize it. The Congress government would complete its full term,” he said. Highlighting that no corruption allegations exist against any minister. Agnihotri accused BJP leaders of obstructing the state’s financial resources in Delhi. He challenged Jai Ram Thakur to name any govt employee who did not receive their salary or pension and offered to resign if anyone from HRTC remained unpaid.
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