TNR News Network
Sarkaghat: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the state-level Independence Day celebrations at Government Senior Secondary School at Sarkaghat in Mandi district on Friday.
After hoisting the Tricolour, the CM took the salute and inspected the parade, as locals thronged the venue in high spirits to mark the occasion.
During his address, CM Sukhu made a series of significant announcements aimed at disaster relief, education reforms, employment generation, recruitment transparency and anti-drug initiatives.
Here are the 11 key announcements:
1. Rs 100 crore relief tranche — An additional Rs 100 crore will be released for disaster-affected families, with a major share allocated to Mandi district.
2. No mid-term retirement of teachers — The teaching staff in all government educational institutions, including schools, colleges, medical colleges, ITIs and polytechnics, will not be retired mid-academic session.
3. 200 CBSE schools — The state will open 200 new schools affiliated with the CBSE curriculum.
4. E-three-wheeler permits — 2,000 e-three-wheeler permits will be issued to create self-employment opportunities for youth.
5. Solar project support — Interest subsidies will be provided for solar projects in both tribal and non-tribal areas, with HPSEB buying the power to ensure steady income for producers; Rs 61 crore has been earmarked for this.
6. Medical university relocation — Atal Medical and Research University will be shifted from Nerchowk to Sarkaghat.
7. Mass recruitment drive — The government will fill 600 patwari posts, 600 JBT teacher posts, 300 panchayat secretary posts and 200 doctor posts.
8. Fairer recruitment process — Final merit lists in state recruitment exams will now combine written test and interview scores to ensure deserving candidates are selected.
9. Anti-cheating law — A bill will be brought in the Assembly to provide for a three-year jail term for both those caught cheating in exams and those helping them.
10. Anti-drug village committees — ‘Nasha Nivaran Samitis’ will be set up in every village and panchayat, including panchayat secretaries, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and a police head constable. Regular meetings will be held to review action on drug cases.
11. Strengthening anti-narcotics enforcement — SHOs and SPs will gather panchayat-level drug-related intelligence and send reports to police headquarters; head constables will be designated for this task.
In addition, CM Sukhu announced the creation of volunteer networks under the ‘Chitta Virodhi’ scheme, the formation of a multi-department anti-drug and rehabilitation board and infrastructure upgrades in Sarkaghat, including increasing hospital capacity from 100 to 150 beds, allocating land for parking, and building a new bus stand.
While the event was high on public enthusiasm, the CM made no major announcements specifically for state government employees this Independence Day.
