Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the establishment of a new milk processing unit in the Arki Assembly Constituency of Solan district, aiming to directly benefit local farmers and boost the rural economy. Speaking at a public meeting in Darlaghat, the CM also assured the setting up of a Block Development Office in Darlaghat after a detailed study.
Highlighting the government’s focus on supporting farmers and truck operators, the Chief Minister revealed a forthcoming scheme providing a 40% subsidy for converting diesel trucks into eco-friendly e-trucks, expected to benefit truck operators in Darlaghat and Barmana areas.
CM Sukhu emphasized the government’s efforts over the past two years, which include increasing the milk procurement price by ₹21 to ensure direct benefits for those engaged in animal husbandry. Additionally, cow dung is being purchased at ₹3 per kilogram, and minimum support prices are provided for naturally grown maize, wheat, barley, and raw turmeric. “Today is just the beginning; farmers will receive even more benefits in the future,” he said, adding that a new scheme aimed at strengthening the rural economy will be launched soon.
Drawing from his rural background, the Chief Minister expressed his commitment to understanding villagers’ issues and formulating farmer-friendly schemes that would be effectively implemented.
The Chief Minister also touched upon reforms in the education sector, noting that Himachal Pradesh improved its ranking from 21st in 2021 to 5th place recently. English-medium education has started from the first grade, and 100 CBSE-affiliated schools will be opened in the next academic year. He criticized the previous BJP government’s move to open 600 educational institutions for political mileage, stating that many were unjustified and have been shut down by the current government.
In the health sector, CM Sukhu pointed out that the previous governments neglected infrastructure and medical equipment, causing hardship to patients. The state government is now establishing model health institutions in every assembly constituency, with 50 such institutions already staffed with five specialist doctors each. The plan is to appoint specialists in all 68 constituencies soon and upgrade medical colleges with advanced equipment similar to AIIMS, Delhi.
The Chief Minister recalled the severe disasters of 2023 and 2025, during which the government increased compensation for fully damaged houses from ₹1.3 lakh to ₹7 lakh, and for partially damaged houses from ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh. Adequate financial assistance continues to be provided to affected families based on the revised compensation manual.
In a separate event at Darlaghat, CM Sukhu launched the ‘Doodh Protsahan Yojana’ and a freight subsidy scheme, distributing ₹3.04 crore directly to over 8,000 farmers associated with private milk cooperatives in Solan and Bilaspur districts. The subsidy for milk transport was increased from ₹1.50 per litre to ₹3 per litre, expected to benefit farmers with an annual financial gain of approximately ₹18.24 crore.
The Chief Minister also handed over ₹28.80 lakh to eight self-help groups under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana and ₹34.20 lakh to 10 progressive milk producers of Kamdhenu Hitkari Manch, Namhol. He inaugurated a mobile app designed to assist truck operators.
CM Sukhu reiterated that Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to purchase cow milk at ₹51 per litre and buffalo milk at ₹61 per litre through the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation (MilkFed). The government aims to form milk cooperative societies in every gram panchayat with sufficient milk production. Since June 2025, 320 new cooperatives have been established to expand milk procurement and processing.
Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandra Kumar praised the Chief Minister’s innovative approach, noting efforts to improve the rural economy under the slogan “Let’s Go to the Village.” He highlighted the largest milk processing plant under construction at Dhagwar, Kangra, with a capacity of 2 lakh litres per day. Additionally, veterinary doctors have been instructed to visit livestock owners unable to reach dispensaries, providing health check-ups and supporting breed improvement to boost farmer incomes.
Local MLA Sanjay Awasthi expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s initiatives, emphasizing his role in strengthening the rural economy and supporting disaster-affected families. He welcomed the government’s efforts to increase milk prices and launch welfare schemes that promise to transform the economic landscape for farmers in Himachal Pradesh.
The event also saw contributions toward the Disaster Relief Fund by Forest Division Kunihar and retired DSP Shakuntala Sharma. Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandra Kumar, MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary, and several other dignitaries were present.
Transforming Arki: CM Rolls Out ₹68.42 Crore Infrastructure Plan
