KANGRA, March 9– Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu credited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for introducing 33% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions and said senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was the first to support the Bill for women’s reservation in the Vidhan Sabha and Parliament.
Addressing a public rally in Chambi on International Women’s Day, he reiterated the state government’s commitment to empowering women.
Sukhu mentioned that his government had amended land laws to grant daughters equal rights and increased women’s reservation in police recruitment to 30%. He also highlighted the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, under which the state covers the full education costs for children of widows.
Taking aim at Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, he remarked, “What kind of doctor is he who treats but lacks foresight? Had he intervened in time, the Jai Ram Thakur government wouldn’t have plundered Himachal Pradesh’s wealth.” He added that his administration would inform people about how the previous BJP government deprived farmers and women of their rights.
Responding to BJP leaders’ claims that Himachal could not function without central funding, Sukhu stated, “This is the people’s money, part of the federal system, not a favor from the Central Government.”
Major Announcements
Sukhu announced several development projects, including:
A Sub Judge Court and DSP office in Shahpur
Conversion of Government Senior Secondary School, Rait, into Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School
₹25 lakh for Guru Ravidas Bhawan construction
A new section of the Jal Shakti Department in Darini
A 2,000-litre bulk milk cooler at Rirkmaar
Upgrading Rirkmaar’s primary health centre (PHC) to a community health centre with an oxygen plant, ultrasound, and dialysis facilities at Civil Hospital, Shahpur
Further, he committed funds for the PHC building in Lanj, sanctioned posts for dentists in Civil Hospital Shahpur and PHC Naganpat, a dental hygienist in PHC Chadi, and the introduction of BCA, BVoc, and PGDCA courses at Government College, Lanj.
He also announced renaming institutions, including Government College Shahpur and ITI after Rajiv Gandhi and Pakka Tiyala-Chauri road after martyr Milap Singh Jamwal.
Women Honored on International Women’s Day
Under the Mahila Vikas Protsahan Yojana, Sukhu awarded ₹1 lakh each to the Saksham Cluster Level Federation (Basantpur), Shimla, and individuals including Dolma Negi (Rekong Peo), Parul Minhas (Kumarsen), Anshul Malhotra (Mandi), and Nikita (Kangra).
He also felicitated top anganwadi workers, assistants, self-help groups from 12 districts, and the top 10 students from Kangra’s Class X and XII results.
Besides, 16 women and an NGO from Kangra were recognized for their contributions, while Pragati, a Shahpur resident, received ₹3 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana for house construction. Mohini Devi was given ₹2 lakh for marriage, and three national-level women kabaddi players were also honored.