Himachal Pradesh CM Engages with Villagers in Historic Overnight Stay
Chief Minister's Visit to Mehla Village
Bharmour, November 6: On Thursday evening, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ initiative at Mehla village, located in the Bharmour Assembly constituency of Chamba district.
During his stay in this secluded village, the Chief Minister engaged with local residents, including Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals, addressing their concerns and instructing officials to expedite solutions.
Welcomed in traditional attire, the villagers greeted him with Pahari folk music, marking a significant moment as Sukhu became the first Chief Minister to spend a night in this remote area.
He immersed himself in local culture, savoring traditional Himachali dishes offered by the villagers.
In his discussions, Sukhu emphasized that his overnight visits to remote villages aim to grasp the challenges faced by these communities and to ensure their issues are effectively resolved.
He described the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ program as a key initiative of the state government, prioritizing the resolution of public grievances and ensuring that development benefits reach the most marginalized, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Sukhu noted that this approach of staying with villagers, rather than in government accommodations, represents a novel strategy in the state's history.
Welfare Initiatives Announced
172 Families to Benefit from New Welfare Scheme
The Chief Minister revealed that 172 families in Mehla Gram Panchayat have been selected for the upcoming ‘Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana’, set to launch statewide next month.
This scheme will provide eligible women aged 21 to 59 with a monthly financial aid of Rs. 1,500. Notably, if a family has three eligible women, all will receive the benefit.
New CBSE School for Mehla
Sukhu also announced the establishment of a CBSE-affiliated school in Mehla for the next academic year, enhancing educational prospects for children in this remote area.
Support for Farmers and Milk Producers
Highlighting government efforts to bolster farmers' incomes, Sukhu mentioned various initiatives aimed at promoting agriculture and natural farming.
He noted that last year, 107 quintals of naturally grown barley from the Pangi Valley were procured at Rs. 70 per kilogram, with the price now raised to Rs. 80.
Additionally, the procurement price for cow milk has increased from Rs. 31 to Rs. 61 per kilogram, while buffalo milk prices rose from Rs. 46 to Rs. 71 per kilogram.
To further support dairy farming, the incentive for milk producers has been enhanced from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 per liter.
The Chief Minister also mentioned plans for a new scheme aimed at helping the Gaddi community secure better prices for meat.
Commitment to Transparency and Anti-Corruption
Zero-Tolerance Policy on Corruption
Sukhu reiterated the government's strict stance against corruption, which he claimed has led to increased revenue for the state.
He addressed issues of irregularities and paper leaks, stating that the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission was disbanded due to serious misconduct, which had denied deserving candidates fair chances in competitive exams.
Legal actions have been initiated against officials involved in these malpractices, with some still incarcerated.
He assured that the recruitment process is now fully transparent through computerization, promoting accountability and fairness.
Through the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ initiative, the government aims to enhance direct communication with rural communities, ensuring that administrative services and development benefits reach even the most isolated regions of Himachal Pradesh.