CM Sukhu announces establishing of a milk processing unit in Arki
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced to establish a milk processing unit in the Arki Assembly constituency of Solan district to benefit local farmers. He also assured the opening of a Block Development Office in Darlaghat after conducting a study. He said the state government was working on a scheme for truck operators, under which a subsidy of 40 percent would be provided for converting diesel trucks into e-trucks. This scheme would benefit truck operators in Darlaghat and Barmana.
The Chief Minister, while addressing a public meeting at Darlaghat, said that during last two years, the state government increased the milk procurement price by Rs.21 to ensure direct benefits to those associated with animal husbandry. The cow dung was also being purchased from farmers at rupees three per kilogram. Additionally, minimum support price is being given for naturally grown maize, wheat, barley and raw turmeric.
“Today is just the beginning, but this process will not stop. In the coming time, farmers will receive even more benefits”, he said. Another scheme would be launched soon to strengthen the rural economy. He added that the government’s initiatives would encourage people to re-engage themselves in animal husbandry activities.
Sh. Sukhu said, “ Myself being from rural background , I can well understand the day to day problems being faced by villagers. I intend to formulate the schemes for the larger benefit of the farmers and will ensure that they are implemented in the right perspective”.
The state government was also bringing reforms in education. By identifying and addressing shortcomings, Himachal Pradesh has jumped from 21st rank in 2021 to 5th place in education sector, he reiterated. English medium had been started from first graded and in the next academic session, 100 CBSE-based schools would be opened in the state. The Chief Minister stated that the BJP government opened 600 educational institutions in their last months in power for political mileage, but the present government had shut those institutions as they were not justified.
The Chief Minister said that along-with education, the reforms were also being introduced in health sector, which was neglected by the previous governments. Many medical colleges still were operating with machines as old as 20 years and no pain was taken to build robust infrastructure. The patient’s had to suffer due to the lack of proper testing machines. Keeping this in view, the state government was establishing model health institutions in every assembly constituency. The model health institutions had been established with five specialist doctors each in 50 constituencies and in near future, specialists would be appointed in all 68 constituencies. He added that improvements were also being made in medical colleges by introducing advanced machines on the analogy of AIIMS, Delhi.
He said the state faced worst disasters in the year 2023 and 2025 and during these tough times, he met the affected families and the government also revised the old compensation package. The compensation for fully damaged houses had been increased from Rs. 1.30 lakh to rupees seven lakh and for partially damaged houses from Rs. 5,000 to rupees one lakh. This year too, the disaster-affected families would receive adequate financial assistance as per the revised manual.
Health Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil said the Chief Minister was committed to serve marginalized sections. Himachal Pradesh endowed with immense natural opulence is promoting tourism on priority. He appealed the people to help save the youth from drugs and encourage them to participate in sports to channelize their energy in constructive activities.
Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chandra Kumar said the Chief Minister was working with innovations. The current present government was working on slogan “Let’s go to the village,” with continuous efforts to improve rural economy. He appreciated the role of the Kamdhenu organization in enhancing women’s financial status. The largest milk processing plant in the state was being constructed at Dhagwar in Kangra district with a capacity to process 2 lakh liters of milk per day.
The Agriculture Minister also said that if livestock owners fails to reach dispensaries, the doctors would visit them for health check-ups of their cattle’s. The doctors had been instructed to form clusters of three to four panchayats for check-ups as the improvement of livestock breeds was necessary to enhance farmer’s income.
Local MLA Sanjay Awasthi said that after taking oath, the Chief Minister broke the tradition of going directly to the Secretariat and visited a girl’s hostel to launch the Sukh-Aashray scheme. He stood by disaster-affected families and was working tirelessly to make Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant State. He added that Himachal Pradesh was the only state in the country to significantly increase milk rate and this initiative was expected to change the economic landscape of the State and make its farmers prosperous.
