Subhash Mahajan
Bhattiyat (Chamba), November 3: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday announced the opening of a Civil Court in Chuwari under the Bhattiyat Assembly constituency. He also announced the establishment of a CBSE-affiliated school in the area and sanctioned ₹10 crore for various road development projects in the constituency.
The Chief Minister made these announcements while addressing a massive public gathering at Chuwari Chowgan in Chamba district.
‘Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ to Begin Next Month
Sukhu said the state government will launch the “Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana” from next month. Under the scheme, eligible women from poor families will receive ₹1,500 per month as financial assistance.
He added that beneficiaries would also receive 300 units of free electricity and access to free healthcare through health insurance cards. Around 20,000 women from nearly 10,000 eligible families in Bhattiyat are expected to benefit from the scheme.
Focus on Strengthening Rural Economy
The Chief Minister said the present government is the first in Himachal Pradesh’s history to adopt a clear vision for strengthening the rural economy.
He highlighted that the state government is providing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of ₹150 per kilogram for raw turmeric, ₹80 per kilogram for wheat, and ₹50 per kilogram for maize. The government is also offering ₹61 per litre for cow’s milk and ₹71 per litre for buffalo milk, nearly double the previous rates.
Major Push for Healthcare and Education
Sukhu said the government has undertaken several reforms to improve healthcare services in rural areas. He informed that ₹190 crore has been allocated for the smooth functioning of Chamba Medical College, where 32 postgraduate seats have also been introduced.
On education, he said the government has rationalized educational institutions and filled thousands of vacant teaching posts. To ensure quality education in rural areas, at least two to three CBSE-affiliated schools have been established in every assembly constituency, and more than 2,700 teachers have been recruited purely on merit.
The Chief Minister added that over 100 schools are being affiliated with CBSE, and recruitment advertisements for academic staff have already been issued. He claimed that Himachal Pradesh improved its national ranking in quality education from 21st position in 2021 to fifth position in 2025.
Criticism of Previous BJP Government
Sukhu criticized the previous BJP government, alleging that it failed on governance and opened several health and educational institutions without ensuring adequate staff. He also said that the Centre had discontinued the state’s revenue deficit grant and that the financial assistance announced after natural disasters was yet to be received.
Despite financial challenges, he said the state government is working towards making Himachal Pradesh prosperous and self-reliant through resource generation and anti-corruption measures.
Speaker Pathania Highlights Balanced Development
Speaking on the occasion, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said the present government has ensured balanced development across all assembly constituencies of Chamba district.
Referring to Bhattiyat, he stated that the constituency, once considered backward, has witnessed significant progress in roads, healthcare, education, and drinking water facilities under the current government.
He also praised welfare initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana and Mukhyamantri Green Panchayat Yojana. Pathania noted that financial assistance for rebuilding houses completely damaged in natural disasters has been increased from ₹1.50 lakh to ₹8.50 lakh.
Tributes Paid
A two-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to Nand Lal, Chairman of the Seventh State Finance Commission and MLA from Rampur, and Youth Congress leader Chandramani Kulethi.
MLA Neeraj Nayar, former minister Asha Kumari, former MLA Ajay Mahajan, Zila Parishad Chairperson Rekha Thakur, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
