Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Archives - Lokmarg

Sukhu Meets Mann, Discusses Key Developmental Issues

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Chief Minister Of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu met Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday in Punjab’s Amritsar.

Both the leaders held talks on key issues concerning the state of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The meeting also targeted the key developmental concerns of both states.

The meeting was attended by other leaders of both parties.

Earlier on Monday, Himachal CM attended the famous Attari-Wagah Border beating retreat ceremony with his Punjab counterpart and Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

“The Indian Army and paramilitary forces have kept the integrity and sovereignty of the country intact by sacrificing their lives when the Nation needed them the most to safeguard the country,” said Himachal CM.

Sukhu also distributed sweets to the Jawans who participated in the ceremony between the thunderous applause by the people gathered on the occasion to witness the same. He also encouraged the Jawans for their commitment and valour and for the impressive show.

Dr Atul Fulzale, IG Jalandhar range BSF and a Himachal IPS cadre officer, welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion and presented him with a sapling. (ANI)

Improved Air Connectivity Will Open Distant Destinations To Tourists: Sukhu

By LokMarg 2nd September 2023

To increase the footfall of tourists and achieve the target of tourist arrivals to around five crores annually, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed strengthening the air connectivity and said that 16 heliports were being constructed in all the district headquarters including tribal and far-flung areas in a phased manner to facilitate the tourists to access unexplored destinations in no time.

He was presiding over a meeting late Friday evening in this regard. A detailed presentation was also given on how to enhance the tourism influx to achieve the desired target.

It was informed that in the first phase, nine heliports were to be developed including Jaskot in district Hamirpur, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra, Sultanpur in district Chamba, Manali in Kullu, Jispa, Sissu and Rangreek in Lahaul-Spiti and Sharbo in district Kinnaur.

CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “Detailed project reports (DPRs) for the construction of Sultanpur, Rakkar, Palampur and Jaskot heliports have been received, while for other heliports, the process was underway. Apart from this, the Kangra Airport was being expanded to facilitate the high-end tourists.”

The Chief Minister informed that in the second phase, the remaining seven heliports would be set up in Pangi and Holi in district Chamba, Auhar in district Bilaspur, Dharkiyari in district Sirmaur, Chanshal in district Shimla, Jankaur-Haar in district Una and Galanag in district Solan.

He said that FCA approval for establishing Rakkar heliport has been received and FCA cases of six heliports including Jaskot, Manali, Jispa, Sissu, Rangrik, Pangi and Holi have been uploaded on the portal.

“Once commissioned fully, the heliports will prove to be a boon to the tourism sector of the State,” CM Sukhu stated.

“When the destinations are made easily accessible, many people prefer to travel there thereby giving a fillip to the local tourism industry and adding to the economy”, added Sukhu.

Tourism is one of the key sectors contributing to the economy of the State, besides opening up employment and self-employment opportunities to the local youth.

He reiterated that the State Government has decided to make district Kangra as ‘Tourism Capital’ of the State and would spend about Rs 3000 crore on this mega venture. This initiative will bring many new projects in the times to come.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur, Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vivek Bhatia and other senior officers also attended the meeting. (ANI)

Himachal: Over 50 Dead In Last 24 Hrs, Rescue Ops Underway

By LokMarg 14th August 2023

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday informed that over 50 people have lost their lives within the past 24 hours due to landslides and continuous rainfall in the area. He also expressed concerns that over 20 people are feared to be trapped under debris.

CM Sukhu further informed that ongoing search and rescue efforts are in progress within the region. In light of the unfortunate situation, the state has decided not to hold any cultural festivities for Independence Day.

The chief minister said, “Over 50 people have lost their lives in the state in last 24 hours. Over 20 people are still trapped, the death toll can also increase. Search and rescue operation is underway. We have taken the decision not to organise any cultural programme on the occasion of Independence Day,”

“President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi have called to provide all possible help to the state government,” the CM added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the loss of lives at various places in the state is extremely distressing and that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations.

Shah took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to express his deepest condolences to the bereaved families praying to God to give them strength to bear the sorrow, and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“The loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides at various places in Himachal Pradesh is extremely distressing. NDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations along with the local administration. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah shared in a tweet.

Meanwhile, the state government informed that the movement of trains between Kandaghat-Shimla is cancelled.

“Kalka-Shimla railway track at km 92/6-92/7 between Jutogh & Summer Hill railway stations is washed away after landslide hit Shimla’s Summer Hill area. The movement of trains between Kandaghat-Shimla is cancelled”, the government said in a release.

Shimla DSP Vijay Raghuvanshi said that the rescue operations are underway in the Summer Hill area where the landslide occurred adding that the rain is causing trouble.

“Since morning we have recovered eight dead bodies. It is very difficult to work here. The people are cooperating… We are not sure right now about the number of people who were here…SDM, SP and SDRF all are present here…The rain is causing trouble but we are constantly carrying out our rescue operations…,” the Shimla DSP said.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief at the deaths of several people in rain-related mishaps in Himachal Pradesh.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people in unfortunate accidents due to excessive rains in Himachal Pradesh. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” read a rough translation of her message in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda spoke to CM Sukhu and state BJP President Rajeev Bindal, and enquired about the loss due to cloudburst and landslide in the state. He extended full support to Himachal Pradesh by all means.

Earlier today, seven people died after the cloudburst at Jadon village in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan. Two houses and one cowshed also got washed away in the incident.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a possibility of rain in areas of Punjab and Haryana for the next two to three days.

“The areas of Punjab and Haryana which are bordering states to Himachal Pradesh may receive heavy rains,” said Manmohan Singh, Director of the Meteorological Department.

Along with these areas, rain is also expected in Chandigarh as well.

“The temperature which is being recorded at 34 to 36 degrees Celsius in Punjab and Haryana will also see a decrease in the coming weeks.”

The HP Traffic, Tourist and Railways Police informed that the road from Anu-Hamirpur town is closed temporarily. “Use Pakka Bharo or Dang Kawali Road for Anu”, the police shared in a tweet. (ANI)

10,000 Tourists Stranded In Kasol; 60,000 Evacuated: Sukhu

By LokMarg 13th July 2023

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said that a total of 60,000 stranded tourists have been evacuated from the flood-affected areas.

“Until 9 am today, a total of 60,000 stranded tourists have been successfully evacuated from Himachal Pradesh. I am currently stationed in Kullu for the past three days, overseeing the ongoing rescue operations”, CM Sukhu shared in a tweet.
He further informed that approximately 10,000 tourists are stranded in Kasol and Tirthan Valley due to road damage.

“Approximately 10,000 tourists are stranded in Kasol and Tirthan Valley due to road damage. We are facilitating the transportation of these tourists by trans-shipment, utilising jeeps and HRTC buses, from the point where the road is damaged”, he said.

The chief minister also thanked the Indian Air Force for their efforts in the ongoing rescue operations.

In a tweet, CM Sukhu said, “I would like to express my gratitude for the efforts of the @IAF_MCC in this ongoing rescue and relief operation. Despite the extreme and challenging conditions, they demonstrated exceptional skill by rescuing seven individuals who were ill from Chandra Taal Lake. Large-scale air evacuation was not possible at Chandra Taal due to slushy conditions and the unavailability of the helipad. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force had offered to deploy a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter to assist in the transportation of excavators and heavy machinery.”

CM Sukhu on Wednesday said that mobile network connectivity has been restored in Manali.

After BSNL Mobile, Landline and FTTH services were restored in Manali on Wednesday, CM Sukhu said that efforts are underway to restore the network in Kasol.

Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Competitive (Preliminary) Examination was pushed back to August 20 due to incessant rainfall and road damage. The exam had earlier been scheduled on July 23.

As per data shared by the Disaster Management Authority, to date, a total of over 1000 roads are closed, nearly 2,000 electricity schemes are affected and 1,200 water supply projects are hampered in the state due to rain.

Further, incessant rainfall led to flash floods and landslides, causing significant damage to life and property in Manali. (ANI)

HP: Sukhu Govt Plans To Reduce Working Hrs Of Dr.’s

By LokMarg 9th March 2023

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said that the state government is coming up with medical reforms. He said that to destress the doctors and paramedical staff there is a need to lessen the working hours in the state.

The Chief Minister was addressing the doctors and media in Shimla after the inauguration of the OPD block and trauma Centre of IGMC Indira Gandhi Medical College built at a cost of over Rs 135 crore.
“We want to bring major medical reforms in the state; we are planning to start Robotic Surgery and use of technology and 5G services. There is a need to destress the doctors and paramedical staff. We have decided and we want to strengthen the department of Emergency medicine and staff will be increased. To destress the work of the doctors and paramedics we have decided that there will be deployment of one nurse for 6 beds and One doctors for beds of 10 patients, In intensive Care Unit Emergency at IGMC there will be 110 nurses and 20 doctors of professor rank, 34 Senior Medical resident and 75 paramedical staff will be deployed,” said Sukhu.

He said the new technologies will be adopted in medical science, like robotic and other advanced systems of medical.

“We will have to adopt new and changing technologies. We shall be taking the benefit of New medical technology, there is a need for medical reforms , we are doing the medical reforms we will adopt Robotic and other advanced systems of the medical. We have come for transformation not to use the power,” said Sukhu.

He said that the state government has five flagship programmes and that would be reflected in the upcoming Budget of the state.

“We have five flagship programmes and we want to increase tourism, health, hydro, education, green hydrogen. We are heading towards generating resources. Only 9 per cent is being spent on development, the rest is spent on debt, salary and other expenditures. We will have to face these challenges and will bring transformation,” said the Chief Minister.

The Health Minister of Himachal Pradesh Dhani Ram Shandil said that the state government has started the welfare schemes for the people of the state. He said that the state government and health department will set up a centre of excellence in each Assembly Constituency for health services in the state. (ANI)

Govt Committed To Providing Transparent, Responsive, Accountable Administration: Sukhu

By LokMarg 3rd January 2023

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said that the state government is committed to providing a transparent, responsive, and accountable administration to the people of the state.

While addressing a huge rally ‘Jan Aabhar Rally’ organized at Zorawar Stadium in Dharamshala, CM Sukhu expressed gratitude to the people of Kangra district for their massive mandate in favour of the Congress Party in the recently held assembly elections.
Incidentally, this is the first visit of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to the district after becoming the Chief Minister of the State.

The Chief Minister said that the present State Government was here not to enjoy power, but for bringing a change in the system.

He said that after being sworn in as Chief Minister of the State, he visited the Girl Child Care Institute, Tutikandi in Shimla, and felt that a lot more is required to be done for the destitute children, women, and senior citizens.

“We have decided to set up ‘Chief Minister’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh’ with an outlay of Rs 101 crore so that it can meet the basic educational facilities of the children and destitute women,” he added.

He also attacked the BJP government and said that it opened 900 institutions in different parts of the state without any budgetary provisions

“This was simply done to lure the people and with an eye on assembly elections, haphazard announcements were made. The present State Government cracked a big paper scam going on since the tenure of the BJP Government in the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission, Hamirpur, which had become a den of selling question papers,” he said.

CM Sukhu said that the State Government would implement all the ten guarantees as promised in the congress manifesto during assembly elections in a phased manner,

“The Government will implement Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in its first cabinet. Besides, a decision to provide Rs. 1500 to the women in the age group of 18 to 60 years would also be taken soon,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, while addressing the audience took a jibe at BJP leaders and remarked that it seems that these leaders were finding it difficult to digest, and defeat and thus were issuing baseless statements.

“The State Government in the last about 21 days of its tenure has taken some historic decisions. Rs 101 crore ‘Chief Minister Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh’ has been established to ensure that lesser privileged children can get adequate financial assistance for higher education as per their choice,” he said.

Member of Parliament and State Congress President, Pratibha Singh thanked the people of the state for their wholehearted support in the assembly elections.

“It was due to the support and love of the people that the Congress Party was able to form the Government in the State, she said. The party organization and the State Government would work with complete unison to ensure that the pace of development gets added vigour so that Himachal can emerge as a model State in the matter of development,” she said. (ANI)