Munish Sood
Shimla
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired the 50th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Tribal Advisory Council in Shimla today, directing officers to complete the tender process for development works in snow-bound areas at the earliest. He said this would ensure construction activities can begin by March–April once weather conditions improve.
Key Announcements
- Transport Sector Support: Eligible youth in tribal areas will receive up to 40% subsidy on the purchase of buses and traveler vehicles, along with four months’ exemption from road tax.
- Solar Energy Push: Interest subsidy will be provided for setting up private solar power projects ranging from 250 kW to 1 MW.
- Power Supply Solutions: Solar plants of 1.2 MW at Dhanwas (Pangi) and 2 MW at Rongtong (Spiti) will be made functional soon to resolve electricity issues.
- Connectivity: A new road will be constructed at Nigulsari on NH-5, a landslide-prone bottleneck, while efforts are underway to strengthen uninterrupted connectivity in Kinnaur district.
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: The state government is making concerted efforts to start the pilgrimage via Shipki-La, with the matter strongly taken up with the Centre. Steps are also being taken to resume trade with Tibet.
Development & Social Indicators
The Chief Minister highlighted that tribal areas have witnessed unprecedented development, with higher per capita income and better male-female sex ratio compared to other districts. He emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and ensuring prosperity in tribal regions.
- Forest Rights Act: Till September 2025, 1,039 land titles have been distributed. Pending Nautor cases have been approved by the Cabinet and sent to the Governor.
- Infrastructure: Construction of Tribal Bhawans in Rampur and Nurpur is underway.
- Natural Farming: Pangi valley has been declared the state’s first Natural Farming Sub-Division.
- Healthcare & Education: Tribal regions now have 2 Regional Hospitals, 6 Civil Hospitals, 5 CHCs, 46 PHCs, 3 Ayurvedic Hospitals, 73 Ayurvedic Dispensaries, 48 Veterinary Hospitals, 118 Veterinary Dispensaries, and 5 Sheep & Wool Extension Centres. A total of 3,148 km of motorable roads have been built, 61% of which are paved.
Budget & Education Initiatives
Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi announced a provision of ₹638.73 crore for the Tribal Area Development Programme for 2025–26. He said land issues had delayed construction of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Pangi, Bharmour, and Lahaul, but land has now been transferred. Work is underway at Pangi and Lahaul, while CPWD is completing formalities for Bharmour. Additional residential facilities are also being built at EMRS Nichar.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Rohit Thakur, MLAs Dr. Janak Raj, Anuradha Rana, Vivek Sharma, Sudarshan Singh Babloo, Hardeep Singh Bawa, non-official members of the Tribal Advisory Council, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretaries K.K. Pant and Onkar Chand Sharma, DGP Ashok Tiwari, Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and senior officers.
