Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the popular ‘Indora Utsav’ will soon be granted district-level status while presiding over the festival’s closing ceremony in Indora. The event, themed “Chitta-Free Himachal,” was praised by the CM as part of a growing mass movement against drug abuse.
Highlighting the campaign’s progress, CM Sukhu said illegal properties worth Rs. 50 crore linked to drug trafficking have already been seized, and the remaining illicit assets will be destroyed within six months. He urged citizens and Panchayats to actively support the initiative by sharing information via the emergency number 112, promising confidentiality and rewards ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 10 lakh.
The Chief Minister also strongly opposed the Union Government’s plan to abolish MGNREGA, calling it an injustice to the poor and vowing that the Himachal Pradesh government will resist the move. He emphasized that MGNREGA has been a vital employment lifeline, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outlining state development efforts, CM Sukhu highlighted initiatives such as providing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown crops including wheat, maize, turmeric, barley, and milk, aiming to secure a minimum monthly family income of Rs. 20,000 for every farmer.
In the health sector, modernization is a priority, with Rs. 3,000 crore allocated for MRI, CT scan, and X-ray machines, along with the introduction of robotic surgery. Five medical colleges are now equipped with 3-Tesla MRI machines, and measures have been implemented to prevent misuse of the HIMCARE scheme. Special revenue courts have also cleared a record 4.63 lakh pending cases.
On self-reliance, the CM shared that the state won a 23-year litigation over Wild Flower Hall, generating Rs. 20 crore annually. Additionally, the JSW Karcham-Wangtoo project will now pay 18% royalty instead of 12%, contributing an extra Rs. 150 crore per year to the state’s revenue.
CM Sukhu also interacted with students of Angel Orphanage Home. MLA Malender Rajan welcomed the Chief Minister, stating that the festival spreads awareness among youth about drug dangers and praised the government’s firm action against the drug mafia, reaffirming its commitment to a prosperous and self-reliant Himachal Pradesh.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
