CM Sukhu, during his visit to Kalpa in Kinnaur district, distributed land ownership certificates to 25 beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, addressing long-pending claims. He noted that a total of 460 land leases have already been sanctioned across Himachal Pradesh under this Act.
In a major announcement to promote border tourism, the Chief Minister declared that Shipki-La pass is now open to tourists, who can visit the location using just an AADHAR card and token, marking a significant step for regional economic growth and job creation in remote areas.
During his visit, CM Sukhu also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹48 crore in the Kinnaur Assembly Constituency. Key projects include:
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₹8 crore auditorium at DIET, Reckong Peo
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₹29.88 crore Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in Kalpa
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₹10.60 crore Youth Hostel in Kalpa
Lashing out at the previous government, Sukhu accused it of misusing public funds that should have been used for farmers and common citizens. He alleged that land and resources were handed to large industries at cheap rates, and the ₹50 crore Una Bulk Drug Park fund from the Centre was returned. He said the state will now execute the project independently to protect local interests.
He criticized the former BJP-led government for receiving ₹68,000 crore in central grants but failing to clear liabilities, instead using it for freebies. He also flagged that ₹9,000 crore from the National Pension Scheme (NPS) is still pending release. Despite this, the current government has saved ₹3,000 crore by curbing corruption, he stated.
CM Sukhu pointed out that natural calamities caused losses worth ₹10,000 crore, yet the Centre has not extended any financial aid. Despite this, the state managed to provide a ₹4,500 crore relief package using its own resources.
He reaffirmed his government’s goal of making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027, announcing several welfare and development initiatives:
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25,000 jobs to be created in FY 2025, with a target of 5 lakh jobs in five years
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Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi to benefit women in all Kinnaur blocks
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Expansion of Mukhya Mantri Sukh Aashray Yojana for orphans
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Support for widows’ children’s education under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana
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New health scheme for senior citizens (70+) to get doorstep medical check-ups
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₹100 crore allocated for upgrading equipment in government medical colleges
The Chief Minister also announced:
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CBSE-affiliated schools to open in four Kinnaur blocks
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₹10 crore each for a new sports complex and an indoor stadium
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Development of four day-boarding schools
To promote youth engagement and sports, CM Sukhu granted ₹10,000 to the local women’s sports team and ₹1 lakh each to five women’s groups at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), where he also released the institute’s annual magazine “Narkasang.“
Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi expressed gratitude for the initiatives and lauded the Chief Minister’s commitment to inclusive development in Kinnaur.
