Kewal Singh Pathania Credits People’s Support for ULB Victory, Highlights Development Initiatives
Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Himachal Pradesh for the strong support shown towards the Congress Party in the recently held Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections. Addressing a press conference, he described the victory as a clear reflection of public trust in the government’s people-centric policies and development-driven approach under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Pathania said that from the very beginning of his tenure, the Chief Minister had made it clear that the government’s aim was not just routine governance, but bringing real and meaningful change to the system. Over the past few years, he noted, several significant steps have been taken to improve the lives of citizens. These include the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, promotion of natural farming, expansion of self-employment opportunities for youth, initiatives for women empowerment, and major improvements in both healthcare and education sectors.
Highlighting youth-focused initiatives, Pathania spoke about the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Startup Scheme, under which substantial funding has been allocated to encourage entrepreneurship and self-reliance among young people. He also pointed out that increasing the support price for cow and buffalo milk has helped strengthen the financial condition of farmers and livestock owners. Calling it a forward-looking step, he praised the introduction of English-medium education from Class 1 in government schools.
Speaking about healthcare, Pathania said that the government has made notable progress by equipping hospitals with modern machines and improving access to advanced medical facilities, ensuring better treatment options for people across the state.
Focusing on development in Kangra district, he highlighted several ongoing projects, including the airport expansion, tourism initiatives, zipline projects, and infrastructure development. These efforts, he said, would not only boost tourism but also create new employment opportunities. He added that under the Chief Minister’s leadership, there is a clear vision to develop Kangra as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Referring to the election results, Pathania said that the Congress Party performed exceptionally well across multiple Nagar Parishads and Nagar Panchayats. According to him, the victory of Congress-supported candidates reflects the people’s satisfaction and trust in the government’s policies and work. He expressed confidence that this momentum would continue in upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
Despite financial challenges and constraints from the Centre, Pathania emphasized that the state government has continued to push forward with development projects and social welfare schemes, giving priority to employees, pensioners, farmers, women, and youth.
He also acknowledged the efforts of officials, election staff, and the district administration for ensuring the smooth and fair conduct of the elections, calling it a successful festival of democracy.
In conclusion, Pathania said that the mandate received in the ULB elections clearly shows that the people of Himachal Pradesh stand firmly behind the Congress government’s vision of inclusive growth, welfare, and long-term development.
