CHAMBA: Marking a historic moment for the remote tribal region in Chamba district, the 77th Himachal Day was celebrated with grandeur in Pangi for the first time ever.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led the celebrations by hoisting the national flag in Killar, bringing with him a host of developmental projects and welfare announcements for the region.
In a major gift to women of the Pangi valley, CM Sukhu announced the special grant of ₹1,500 each under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Samman Nidhi for the months of April, May and June. The scheme was a pre-poll promise of the Congress government.
Focus on tribal development, accessibility
Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister emphasised that organizing such major events in tribal areas helped bridge the gap between the government and remote communities.
“During winters, this region remains cut off from the rest of the world. The state government is committed to finding long-term solutions to ensure connectivity throughout the year,” Sukhu said.
He said unfilled government vacancies across the state would be rationalised and filled in a structured manner. He said The announcement of a potential 3% hike in dearness allowance for government employees and pensioners is also under consideration.
CM Sukhu was warmly received with traditional music and festivities upon his arrival in Killar via chopper as locals gathered to welcome him with ‘dhol-nagare’ (traditional musical instruments).
Inaugurations and new projects
As part of his visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated Mini Secretariat building in Killar, a new bus stand, ITI building, office building for the power sub-division and the new Civil Hospital. He laid the foundation stones for additional classrooms at GHS-Luz, alternative road from Killar bus stand, health sub-centres in Rei and Hudan and 1 MW solar power project in Dhanwas.
CM promises scheme-based development in tribal areas
Highlighting a focus on inclusive growth, CM Sukhu stated that scheme-based developmental plans would be specially designed for Pangi and other tribal belts.
Drawing a comparison with similar issues resolved in Spiti, he assured that over 80% of concerns in that region had already been addressed, and the same model will be replicated here.
Himachal Pradesh was established as a Union Territory on April 15, 1948, by merging 30 princely hill states. It got full statehood on January 25, 1971.
Subhash Mahajan
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