TNR News Network
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged neighbouring states Punjab and Haryana to act as elder brothers and extend genuine support to the hill state’s rightful demands, especially in matters pending for years.
Speaking at the valedictory session of a two-day National Cooperative Conference in Shimla, the Chief Minister underlined that the state had repeatedly been denied its share in key projects.
He pointed specifically to the long-pending return of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project (in Jogindernagar subdivision of Mandi district) located in Himachal but still retained by Punjab despite the lease expiry — and the delayed BBMB arrears, which remain unresolved despite a Supreme Court ruling in Himachal’s favour.
“Punjab and Haryana are our elder brothers and they should support their younger brother wholeheartedly,” Sukhu remarked.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Cyber Security Operations Centre of the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank, launched the bank’s cooperative anthem, and released a souvenir to mark the occasion.
Himachal’s cooperative backbone driving rural economy
Extending his greetings on the successful event, the Chief Minister hailed the cooperative movement as a cornerstone of Himachal’s rural economy. Despite difficult terrain and small landholdings, over 5,000 cooperative societies are currently active in the state, including nearly 2,000 primary agricultural credit societies serving farmers and rural households.
He recalled that the movement began as early as 1904 and gained momentum post-statehood in 1971. Responding to a proposal from Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the CM assured that the state would consider relaxing norms under Section 118 to allow cooperative societies to purchase land for business purposes. He also directed the State Cooperative Bank to introduce a one-time settlement scheme to help small farmers, orchardists, traders and workers clear debts.
Sukhu further noted that the Board of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank was dissolved over irregularities during the previous regime, reaffirming his government’s stance against the misuse of public funds.
From education to healthcare: Himachal gaining ground despite calamities
Highlighting the government’s achievements, CM Sukhu said Himachal had moved from 21st to 5th place in the national education rankings and was aiming for the top. The state continues to maintain its status as fully literate.
On healthcare, he said that Rs. 300 crore had been allocated this year for modernising hospitals, with robotic surgery already introduced in two government institutions. Despite suffering losses of nearly Rs. 20,000 crore from natural disasters in the last three years, the state has managed to maintain its developmental momentum.
Citing the successful rescue of 16,000 stranded pilgrims during the Manimahesh Yatra, he praised the compassion of Himachal’s people and the resilience of its governance.
To strengthen the rural economy, the state is promoting women’s self-help groups under the ‘Him-Era’ brand, encouraging natural farming and incentivising youth and women to participate in forest conservation. MILKFED’s milk procurement has also touched 2.5 lakh litres per day, after a historic hike of Rs 21 per litre.
Centre, states pledge support for cooperatives
Union Minister of State for Cooperatives Krishna Pal Gurjar congratulated Himachal on achieving 100% literacy and assured Centre’s support to enhance cooperative development. He encouraged the state to benefit from the “Sehkaar Taxi Sewa” and suggested linking its institutions with the newly established Tribhuvan Sehkari University, along with considering special fee concessions for hill states.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri noted that the cooperative movement in Himachal began in 1892 from Panjawar (Una) and now commands public trust with deposits nearing Rs 60,000 crore.
Uttarakhand Cooperative Minister Dhan Singh Rawat shared that 10 lakh farmers in his state have availed loans via cooperatives, with a goal to reach 15 lakh beneficiaries, especially women.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Health Minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil, HP State Cooperative Bank Chairman Devender Shyam, and top officials from cooperative institutions across India.
