Shimla: A grand event was organised today at Luhnu Ground in Bilaspur to mark the completion of two successful years of the present state government in the state. On the occasion freedom fighters Bhag Singh, Sahaj Ram and Premi Devi wife of Narottam Shastri were honoured in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the Nation.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu unveiled the Vikas Sankalan a comprehensive publication by the Information and Public Relations Department which highlights the achievements and initiatives undertaken by the government over the past two years.
While presiding over the event, the Chief Minister said that the present state government was committed for the overall and equitable development in the state, following the principles laid down by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership. He said that we would not let the state’s wealth to be misused and would ensure its equal distribution among all sections of society. This is Rahul Gandhi’s vision and our government was steadfastly working towards it,” he stated.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh was formed two years ago with the support and blessings of the people as well as the extensive efforts of leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rajiv Shukla. He reflected on his 40-year journey in public service, expressing gratitude for the opportunities provided by the Congress party. He said that on 11th December, 2022, a son of a farmer and government employee took the oath as Chief Minister. This was not just a celebration of two years but a reaffirmation of our mission. He said that our true celebration would be in 2027 when Himachal Pradesh would become self-reliant.
Sh. Sukhu said that the present state government implemented the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for 1.36 lakh employees, despite facing pressure from the central government. He said that during last year’s monsoon season, Himachal Pradesh experienced an unprecedented disaster. However, the government successfully evacuated 75,000 tourists and provided special reliefs package of Rs. 4,500 crore to the affected families, He said that our government has revised disaster relief manual for affected families from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh and the central government was yet to release the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) funds to Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that the Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, had challenged the government in the Assembly, claiming that even God cannot save this government. However, with the blessings of the people and the deities of Himachal we succeeded in saving our government from the conspiracies of the BJP leaders. He said that after the conspiracy to destabilize the present government the Congress party became stronger and the vote share increased by 14 percent in the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed gratitude to the people of Himachal Pradesh for once again electing 40 Congress MLAs and showing faith in the policies and programmes of the Congress government.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that our government was focusing on strengthening the rural economy and enhanced the price of milk. The cow’s milk was increased to Rs. 45 per litre and buffalo’s milk to Rs. 55 per litre. The daily wage of MNREGA was increased by Rs. 60, taking it to Rs. 300. Apart from this the state government has purchased 4,000 quintals of maize grown through natural farming. Next year the government would buy wheat grown through natural farming at Rs. 40 per kilogram making the price of wheat and apples the same. The upcoming budget of the present state government would prioritize strengthening the rural economy.
The Chief Minister accused the previous BJP government of being ineffective during its five-year term. He claimed that under Jai Ram Thakur’s leadership police recruitment exam papers were leaked, jobs were sold through the Subordinate Staff Selection Commission and a PPE kit scam occurred during the pandemic. He also alleged that industrial land was sold at just Rs.1 per square meter and corruption continued unchecked. He said that today we need to confront BJP’s lies with courage as truth ultimately prevails at the end.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness that JP Nadda has become the national president of the BJP but criticized him for spreading falsehoods about Himachal Pradesh. He further claimed that the BJP was now divided into five factions with leaders focused on organizing their own rallies rather than addressing public concerns. He said that BJP protests were nothing more than “Save Your Chair” campaign and has little regard for the people and their issues. He said that it was good that the Congress party has cleaned up its internal issues and regained its strength of 40 MLAs. He said that Jai Ram Thakur should worry about retaining his seat as BJP’s numbers could fall from 28 to 20, given that some BJP MLAs are reportedly in contact with Congress.
He said that state government had introduced significant changes in the education and health sectors which were neglected by the previous BJP government. Despite the central governments step-motherly treatment the state has managed to generate additional revenue of Rs. 2,200 crore. More public-interest decisions would be taken in the future aligning with plans to make the Himachal a self-reliant state.
MP and General Secretary of the Indian National Congress Committee Rajeev Shukla said that BJP was considering itself as the ultimate authority. He accused the BJP of disregarding the people’s mandate and trying to topple governments using money power. Sh. Shukla said that those who supported the BJP were now unemployed and said that the BJP adept at lying and spreads misinformation through the media. He questioned why the BJP despite its pro-Hindu stance, cannot protect Hindus in Bangladesh. He highlighted Congress’s achievements such as MNREGA, the Right to Information Act and farmer loan waivers and accused the BJP of merely taking credit for schemes while intimidating others with its power.
Sh. Shukla also commented on opposition Leader Jai Ram Thakur’s desperation to gain power, claiming his futile attempt to topple the democratically elected governments and denying them their rights. He said that during the recent disaster, he personally approached the Prime Minister for aid for Himachal Pradesh but received no assistance. Despite this he affirmed that the Congress government in Himachal would complete its full five-year term and even today fulfilled yet another election promise of purchasing cow dung.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that the BJP has been trying to destabilize the state government over the past two years but such attempts have failed and gone to ashes. The BJP leaders lack the strength to topple the government and Congress was safe, secure and even stronger. He confidently stated that the BJP would not form a government in Himachal Pradesh again and expressed gratitude to Priyanka Gandhi for her efforts in bringing Congress to power. He said that despite the desperate efforts of the opposition to trash the congress leadership Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi has been chosen for parliament for their vision and massive public mandate.
Sh. Agnihotri said that BJP was trying their best to tarnish the government’s reputation after failing to destabilize it. He said that the Congress government would complete its full term, highlighting that no corruption allegations exist against any minister. Agnihotri accused BJP leaders for obstructing the state’s financial resources in Delhi. He challenged Jai Ram Thakur to name any government employee who did not receive their salary or pension and offered to resign if anyone from HRTC remained unpaid. Sh. Agnihotri emphasized the government’s commitment to building better relations with employees and was constructing ropeway worth Rs. 2,000 crore in Shimla the largest in the country besides a bulk drug park to be completed within two years.
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Pratibha Singh congratulated everyone on the successful completion of its two years tenure. She said that the state government has supported orphaned children and the underprivileged and expressed gratitude to Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for supporting state in all situations. She also thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh for the blessings and unconditional support. She lauded remarkable development and achievements of the government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
She recounted her visit to the Prime Minister during the disaster to request assistance but received nothing. She praised the state government for its commendable relief efforts and highlighted the contributions of the Gandhi family and former Chief Minister YS Parmar in shaping Himachal Pradesh and acknowledged the efforts of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in the state’s development. She commended Congress workers for enthusiastically supporting the government during the disaster and call for the joint efforts of the government and party organization for the progress of the state and upliftment of the poor and underprivileged.
Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani welcomed Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and MP Rajiv Shukla to Bilaspur. He said that while Bilaspur was known as “Veerbhoomi” and now it was also gaining recognition on the tourism map. He thanked present state government for promoting water sports and for allocating of Rs. 1,300 crore for the construction of the Bilaspur railway line.
He said that during last year’s disaster the central government did not provide any assistance to Himachal Pradesh, and claims amounting to Rs. 9,000 crore were still pending. He said that BJP MPs from Himachal Pradesh have failed to effectively raise the concerns of the state in centre and instead misleading people at both the state and national levels.
A documentary highlighting the achievements of the present state government was released during the event. Employees expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for reinstating the old pension scheme.
Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar, Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs, Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of various boards and corporations, Congress co-incharge Chetan Chauhan and Vidit Chaudhary, as well as former ministers, former MLAs, former state presidents, key Congress organization leaders and Panchayati Raj institution representatives were present on the occasion.
