Union Govt should upkeep the basic spirit of Shimla Agreement

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, while addressing the 'Jai Hind Sabha' in Shimla today, paid tribute to the martyred soldiers who made supreme sacrifice protecting the boundaries of the country and saluted their families members and ex-servicemen. He said that the glorious saga of valor of the Indian Army is a golden chapter of our history, which can never be forgotten.

He said that Himachal Pradesh is not only Dev Bhoomi, but also Veer Bhoomi, where the brave soldiers have sacrificed their lives for the service and security of the country. The brave soldiers of the state have received a total of 1203 gallantry awards so far, which include 4 Param Vir Chakras, 2 Ashok Chakras, 10 Mahavir Chakras, 25 Kirti Chakras, 57 Vir Chakras and 99 Shaurya Chakras symbolizing their courage and bravery and patriotic zeal for sacrificing their lives for the country.  

The Deputy Chief Minister recalled the contribution of brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa, Captain Vikram Batra and who were posthumously awarded the Paramvir Chakra for their courage. Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar from Bilaspur was also honoured with Paramvir Chakra for his exemplary valour. He said that the stories of these brave soldiers will continue to inspire and inculcate patriotism in the coming generations.

Mukesh Agnihotri also highlighted the historical role of the Shimla Agreement in his address. He said that in the decisive agreement that was reached between the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 2 July 1972, it was clearly decided that any dispute between India and Pakistan will be resolved through bilateral talks and there will be no interference from any third country. He urged the Central Government not to compromise on the basic spirit of this agreement, especially on the Kashmir issue. The Shimla Agreement is paramount and the central government is requested to maintain its spirit.

He also paid tribute to martyr Naik Dilbar Singh, a resident of Bangana in Una district, was posthumously decorated the Kirti Chakra, and martyred while fighting terrorists in Kupwara on 23 July 2024. Havildar Rohit Kumar Negi of Taranda village in Kinnaur, who was posthumously decorated the Shaurya Chakra, who lost his life in an avalanche on 8 October 2023 while in line of duty.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that recently on May 22, Agniveer Naveen Kumar (Kangra) was martyred in the Drass sector of Kargil. During Operation Sindoor, Subedar Major Pawan Kumar (Shahpur, Kangra) was martyred in Pakistani firing.

He informed that Sub Inspector Vyas Dev of Bathu village of Haroli Assembly and Gurnam Singh of Chhetra village were injured in operation Sindoor and he wished them speedy recovery.

The Deputy Chief Minister concluded his address with the resolution that the state government will always remain committed to the honor of the martyrs and the welfare of their families.

Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, recalling the 1971 war, said that he was posted in Longewala area in that war. At that time, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi always boosted the morale of the soldiers, which led to the historic victory of the Indian Army. He said that the Congress Party has played an important role in Nation building. He said that we are all proud of the valor and bravery of the our soldiers.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, AYUSH Minister Yadvender Goma, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs, former Ministers, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Himachal Congress co-incharge Vidit Chaudhary and Chetan Chauhan, Major General DBS Rana, Colonel BC Lagwal, Lieutenant Colonel PS Atri, Chairman and Vice Chairman of various boards and corporations, senior Congress leaders and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

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Sh. Sukhu pays tribute to the brave soldiers at Jai Hind sabha 

Addressing the ‘Jai Hind Sabha’ at Shimla today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers of Himachal Pradesh and the Nation. He said, “Today is a day to salute the sacrifices of our brave soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country.” Sharing a recent experience, the Chief Minister mentioned his visit to Sharchi village in the Tirthan Valley, where he stayed at the home of former soldier Subedar Major Anoop Ram. The Chief Minster stated that Anoop Kumar discussed with him about the 1971 India-Pakistan war and he recalled how the address of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi instilled patriotic zeal and boosted the morale of  the Indian Army. The outcome of that war was historic and India split Pakistan into two, and Shimla later became the witness to the landmark Simla Agreement, he said.

Sh. Sukhu said that the valour of the soldiers of Himachal Pradesh’s was unmatched. “Our soldiers never hesitated to sacrifice their lives for the Nation. Himachali soldiers have the honour of being decorated with Four Param Vir Chakra, which is a testament to the state’s legacy of courage and sacrifice,” he added.

He also recalled the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, stating that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was the first to offer unconditional support to the Union government in the fight against terrorism. “The people and government of Himachal Pradesh have always stood with the Indian Armed Forces,” he said. Sh. Sukhu remarked, “Our brave soldiers gave a befetting reply to the terrorists. However, the Union government declared a ceasefire without taking the three armed forces into confidence. Shockingly, the announcement came through social media from a third country. This is in a stark contrast to the decisive leadership of former Prime Minister Late Indira Gandhi, who never compromised with the National Security.”

The Chief Minister further said that the leaders of the Congress party have made the supreme sacrifice for the country. “Former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of India" he stated. Congress leaders have also made many sacrifices in other states like Punjab and Chhattisgarh for the cause of the Nation,” he said.

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Directs PWD  to widen and upgrade the Nagladi–Sharchi road

As part of the ambitious 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative of the state government,   Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the picturesque Sharchi village of Banjar constituency of Kullu district Wednesday evening. The villagers brimming with excitement extended a heartfelt and traditional welcome to the Chief Minister. The enthusiasm and hospitality of the villagers radiated their warmth and affection to see the Chief Minister at their doorstep reinforcing his commitment to connecting with the people at the grassroots level.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stayed overnight at the residence of retired Subedar Anoop Ram in Sharchi village.

During the visit, the Chief Minister interacted with villagers' right from children to the elderly and women. The villagers seized the opportunity to inform the Chief Minister about the day to day challenges they face.  The Chief Minister gave on-the-spot directions to officers to ensure timely resolution of the issues raised by the people of the area.

Conversing in the local dialect with the villagers, the Chief Minister assured the villagers that adequate budgetary provisions would be made to fulfill their demands. He directed the Public Works Department to widen and upgrade the Nagladi–Sharchi road. He further mentioned that proper drainage would be constructed alongside the road and paver blocks, where necessary, would be constructed to ensure long-term maintenance.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a grant of one lakh rupees each to five women’s self-help groups from the Sharchi Gram Panchayat. On Thursday morning, he had breakfast with villagers and listened to their concerns.

He informed the villagers about the schemes and initiatives started by the present state Government. He also briefed about the special revenue Lok Adalats being organised at the tehsil and sub-tehsil levels aimed to resolve long-pending revenue cases in a time-bound manner.

 “It brings me great joy to be among you,” the Chief Minister said. “Since the formation of this government, I have made it a priority to personally visit remote areas and understand people’s problems in order to resolve them. Sharchi is the last village in the Banjar area, surrounded by scenic mountains and forests. I have already visited Dodra Kwar, Kupvi, and Pangi as part of this program and spent valuable time with the people there. My cabinet colleagues are also visiting different areas to address public issues.”

Retired Subedar Anoop Ram expressed his gratitude, saying, “This is the first time any Chief Minister has visited our remote village. We hope this visit will accelerate development here. I feel honored that he chose my home to stay.”

His son Naresh added, “Sharchi is a far-flung village in Banjar constituency. The Chief Minister’s visit has brought immense joy to the local people. It’s a matter of pride not just for our family but for the entire village.”

Pradhan Gram Panchayat Bandal Ishwari Devi welcomed the Chief Minister, stating that such a visit had never occurred before. Rameshwari Thakur, Pradhan of Sharchi Gram Panchayat, also expressed gratitude for the government’s initiatives to empower women.

Earlier, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the local Gada Durga temple, seeking prosperity and well-being for the state.

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Chairman APMC Ram Singh, Chairman Milkfed Buddhi Singh Thakur, former Minister Khimi Ram Sharma, Vice-Chairman HPSIDC Vishal Chambiyal, Secretary Ashish Singhmar, Director Women and Child Development Dr. Pankaj Lalit, Deputy Commissioner Torul S. Ravish, Director Information and Public Relations Rajiv Kumar, Chairman Zila Parishad Kullu Pankaj Parmar, Congress leaders Ses Ram Azad and Vidya Negi, senior Congress leaders, representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions and other dignitaries also graced the occasion.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today rolled out Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Sammaan Nidhi Yojana for 2238 eligible women of Banjar development block at Dehuri in Kullu district. Under the scheme, Rs. 4500 per beneficiary pertaining to a period from April to June, 2025 totaling rupees one crore and 71 thousand were transferred by the Chief Minister to the savings accounts of the beneficiaries.

He said that the state government was providing Rs. 1500 per month to the eligible women. "Our government is determined to benefit all the sections deprived of the benefits of the state's wealth," said Sh. Sukhu. He added that the state government has also decided to bring domestic working women under the scheme, so that they could also benefit by the financial assistance. He said that the daughters of widows would also be eligible to benefits under the scheme.

He said, "The BJP leaders keep asking when women will get Rs 1500? I want to say that we have closed all the doors of corruption and saved public money from being looted. From this saving, we are providing Rs 1500 per month to women in a phased manner. He said that in the first phase, pension is being given to 2,238 women in Banjar area and in the coming days all the eligible women will get this amount."

The Chief Minister distributed Rs. 5.87 lakh to 37 beneficiaries of Banjar development block under the Beti Hai Anmol Yojana, Shagun Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana and track suit under Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana being run by the government. He urged the people to enroll themselves to derive benefit from various public welfare schemes being run by the government.

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Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu performed inaugurations and laid foundation stones of 19 developmental projects worth Rs. 78.47 crore at Dehuri for Banjar assembly constituency of Kullu district today.

The Chief Minister inaugurated seven projects including Rs. 7.32 crore Banjar bye-pass along with a bridge in tehsil Banjar, Rs. 1.38 crore Manglour bridge on NH 305, Rs. 2.80 crore lift water supply scheme to Tinda Sharan Bijohi, Galoon Laid, Tilroo and Chanour in tehsil Banjar, Rs. 2.17 crore LWSS to  Dodni-Age, Bhatgran habitation in GP Diyar in tehsil Kullu, Rs. 2.06 crore Har Ghar Nal Se Jal to various WSS Larji in CV Kotla in tehsil Banjar, Rs. 2.80 crore Multi storied Parking at bus stand Banjar and Rs. 1.35 crore science Lab at Sainj.  

Sh. Sukhu laid foundation stones of Johal Jeshta Ashni Puin road to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.73 crore, Jawal Tinda via Seri Bella Beogi road on which Rs. 4.65 crore to be spent, bridge over Tirthan river Banjar to be built with an outlay of Rs. 7.11 crore, Rs. 6.20 crore and Rs. 5.82 crore single span steel truss bridges over Sainj khad.

He also performed foundation stones of Rs. 3.72 crore reclamation and restoration of rain damages at Sainj market and along right side of Sainj khad in tehsil Sainj, Rs. 8.02 crore flood protection work from Sharabai to Bajaura along river Beas on both side at various reaches, Rs. 1.90 crore flood protection work on Tirthan khad near Banjar, Rs. 3.40 crore flood mitigation and embankment protection work for experimental/ reach farm of KVK Bajaura, Rs. 4.85 crore flood protection work on Tirthan Jibhi khad near Dwala Shari and Ratwah in tehsil Banjar, Rs. 1.83 crore flood protection work to Sainj khad (left side) at various reaches in tehsil Sainj and Rs. 6.35 crore flood protection work on Jibhi khad at Hidab, Ghiagi, Jibhi, Dawala and Damothi and on Tirthan khad at Bathad, Pharyadi, Gushani, Shairopa Deori and Kandi Dhar Kalu ropa and Khundan to Manglore in tehsil Banjar.

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Announces to open Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and Milk Processing Plant in Banjar

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing a huge public gathering at Dehuri in Banjar development block of Kullu district during his two-day visit on Wednesday announced to open Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School based on CBSE and a milk processing unit with capacity of 10,000 liters in Banjar. He said that the state government was bringing about extensive reforms in the field of education and these efforts would continue in future as well.

He said that former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur looted the wealth of the people of the state and distributed electoral freebies worth Rs. 5000 crores to win the assembly elections. He opened new institutions but cheated the people of the state by not providing staff and proper facilities. He is responsible for the decline in the level of education. He said, "We are not opening new educational institutions, but appointing teachers in schools and providing facilities so that children in rural areas can get better education environment. As a measure of bringing reforms, we created Directorate of School Education from class 1 to 12, started English medium classes for and will make extensive reforms in the field of education in the coming time."

Sh. Sukhu said, "I went to Delhi with the demands of the people of Himachal Pradesh. We will give water to Delhi and Haryana, but first they should give the BBMB arrears pending for 14 years to Himachal Pradesh. I have clearly said that first the neighbouring states should file an affidavit in the Supreme Court to pay this arrear, then we will move forward on the Kishau dam. I consider the state as my family, so I will not compromise with the interests of Himachal Pradesh."

The Chief Minister said that those who had already been accused of corruption were making false allegations against the present state government to mislead the people of the state. Today they had become the policy makers of the BJP but first they should look into their own affairs. He said that today BJP was divided into five factions. During the natural disaster in the year 2023, the BJP leaders did not go to the Central Government even once to plead for the rights of the affected families, while the Congress government stood with the people. We changed the rules to rehabilitate the affected families and gave a special relief package and increased the compensation for the house being completely damaged from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, while the compensation for partially damaged house was increased to one lakh.

He said, "I myself came to Kullu district during the disaster and the state government provided financial assistance for the rehabilitation of 223 completely damaged and 853 partially damaged houses." He added that today he had come to Banjar Assembly constituency under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' programme and his Cabinet colleagues were also going to the rural areas and trying to solve the problems of the people. The state government's focus was on the development of rural areas. The state government increased the support price of cow milk from Rs 32 to Rs 51 and buffalo milk from Rs 47 per liter to Rs 61. Apart from this, a minimum support price of Rs 40 per kg had been given to maize grown through natural farming and Rs 60 per kg to wheat. Apart from this, a transport subsidy of two rupees per litre was also being given to the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme, participation of Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals was being ensured for planting and conserving forests, for which a budget of Rs 100 crore had been sanctioned. The previous government left a debt of Rs 75 thousand crore on the state, because it kept working for political gains.

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said that today the Chief Minister had given a big gift to Banjar region, which was a matter of good fortune for Seraj Valley, Tirthan Valley and Banjar. The Chief Minister was always concerned about the development of Kullu district. During the disaster, he understood the pain of the people here and provided them relief. He said that the state government was promoting e-vehicles to protect the environment of the state. Sh. Sukhu started his politics from Banjar Assembly and development of this place was the priority of the state government.

Chairman, APMC Kullu Ram Singh Mian thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the developmental works for the area. He said that the Chief Minister was well aware of the pain of the common man and was making and implementing schemes for their welfare.

MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur, Congress leader Ses Ram Azad, Vidya Negi, District Council Kullu Chairman Pankaj Parmar, former minister Khimi Ram Sharma, Secretary Ashish Singhmar, Director Women and Child Development Department Pankaj Lalit, DC Torul S Ravish, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and other dignitaries were present.

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