Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired the 50th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tribal Advisory Council today, highlighting the government’s focused efforts to promote development and prosperity in tribal areas. He announced several initiatives aimed at creating livelihood and self-employment opportunities for tribal youth, including up to 40 percent subsidy on bus and traveler vehicle purchases, along with four months’ exemption from road tax. To promote renewable energy, the government will also provide interest subsidies for private solar power projects ranging from 250 kW to 1 MW in tribal regions.
The Chief Minister directed officials to expedite tender processes for development works in snow-bound areas, ensuring construction begins in March-April when weather conditions improve. He further stated that solar power plants of 1.2 MW at Dhanwas (Pangi) and 2 MW at Rong-tong (Spiti) would soon become operational to resolve long-standing power supply issues. Sukhu also emphasized efforts to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki-La and to strengthen trade activities with Tibet under Chinese occupation.
Highlighting the progress in tribal regions, the Chief Minister noted that these areas now show unprecedented development, with higher per capita income and better social indicators compared to other districts. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and announced infrastructure projects, including a new road at Nigulsari on NH-5 and measures to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in Kinnaur. Pending Nautor cases have been approved by the Cabinet, and under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, around 1,039 land titles have been distributed as of September 2025. Tribal Bhawans are under construction in Rampur and Nurpur to facilitate public access.
Pangi Valley has been declared the state’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division, and the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojna was launched in Spiti in February 2024. The Chief Minister highlighted the expansion of health and education infrastructure in tribal areas, including regional hospitals, civil hospitals, primary health centres, Ayurvedic facilities, veterinary hospitals, and over 3,148 km of motorable roads, 61 percent of which are paved.
Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi stated that Rs. 638.73 crore has been allocated for the Tribal Area Development Programme for 2025-26. He added that construction of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Pangi, Bharmour, and Lahaul is underway after land transfers were completed, with additional residential facilities being developed at EMRS Nichar.
