Shimla, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Himachal Pradesh government has received approval from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for 127 projects worth ₹903.21 crore for the financial year 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Monday.
During a meeting with MLAs from Kangra, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts to discuss budget priorities for 2025-26, Sukhu highlighted that the approved projects include 50 MLA-priority schemes under the Public Works Department, valued at ₹412.75 crore, and 23 MLA-priority schemes under the Jal Shakti Vibhag, amounting to ₹179.07 crore.
Among the major initiatives sanctioned are the establishment of a 1.5 LLPD capacity dairy processing plant in Dagwar, Kangra district, and the development of 96 electric bus charging stations, reinforcing the state’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure.
Opposition BJP Criticizes Government Over Budget Meeting
The BJP MLAs were notably absent from the meeting. Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, questioned the relevance of the discussions, alleging that projects proposed by MLAs over the past two years remain unimplemented. Thakur further accused the government of harassing BJP legislators and their families while prioritizing defeated Congress leaders.Increased Funding for Rural Development
In a move to bolster rural infrastructure, the state government has allocated ₹1,087.77 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for 2024-25, marking a 5.28% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Sukhu reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy over the next three years, aiming to generate employment opportunities for local youth.Boosting Tourism and Combating Drug Menace
The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s focus on enhancing tourism, particularly in religious and tea tourism. He mentioned plans to study West Bengal’s tea tourism model for potential implementation in Himachal Pradesh.Additionally, Sukhu reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate the drug mafia from the state, promising stricter enforcement measures in the near future.
MLAs Prioritize Key Development Areas
Several MLAs, including Malender Rajan (Indora), Kamlesh Thakur (Dehra), Sanjay Rattan (Jawalamukhi), Ashish Butail (Palampur), Kishori Lal (Baijnath), Bhuvneshwar (Manali), and Sunder Singh (Kullu), presented their budgetary priorities during the meeting.The developments indicate the state government’s continued focus on infrastructure, rural growth, and tourism, despite political tensions with the opposition.
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