In a significant push for infrastructure and tourism, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the release of a massive Rs 460 crore for the expansion of Kangra Airport. The announcement was made during the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme held in Gram Panchayat Tangroti, located within the Dharamshala assembly constituency.
Boosting Tourism and Connectivity
Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that the expansion work at the airport is already in progress. He projected that upon completion, the upgraded facility would significantly enhance land values in the surrounding areas and lead to a substantial surge in tourist inflow. "Once completed, the airport will increase the value of the land and witness a surge in tourist inflow, strengthening the region's economy," the CM stated.
Reiterating the government's focus, Sukhu confirmed that Kangra district has been officially declared the "Tourism Capital of Himachal Pradesh." He revealed that several tourism projects are currently being implemented in the region, which are expected to substantially boost the income of local residents in the coming years.
Direct Benefits for Local Development
During the public interaction, where he listened to the grievances of local residents, the Chief Minister announced immediate financial grants for local development. These included:
- A grant of Rs 1 lakh each for the local Mahila Mandals.
- Allocation of funds for the construction of the Ramed-Tangroti link road.
- Funds for the tarring of the Tangroti link road and other adjoining roads.
Strengthening the Rural Economy
Highlighting that over 90% of the state's population lives in rural areas, CM Sukhu detailed the government's multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the rural economy. A major focus has been on supporting farmers and cattle rearers through revised Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
- The MSP for cow milk has been increased to Rs 51 per litre.
- The MSP for buffalo milk has been raised to Rs 61 per litre.
- For crops grown under natural farming, the government is procuring wheat at Rs 60 per kg, maize at Rs 40 per kg, and raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg.
The government is also making concerted efforts to create employment opportunities for the youth near their homes to foster self-reliance.
Advances in Education and Health
The Chief Minister said his administration is giving special impetus to modernizing the education and health sectors. He proudly announced that Himachal Pradesh has achieved a literacy rate of 99.30%, making it a fully literate state and placing it among the top five states in India for reading and writing proficiency. He also noted that significant, first-of-their-kind improvements have been made in the health sector.
In a political remark, Sukhu referred to the recent by-elections, claiming that the BJP won the Dharamshala seat through false propaganda. He pointed out that the Congress candidate, Devender Singh Jaggi, lost by a narrow margin to a candidate who had switched allegiance from the Congress to the BJP.
