Kullu, October 19, 2024 – Bajantris at Kullu Dussehra are set for a 20% increase in Nazarana. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this during the closing ceremony of the International Kullu Dussehra. He also declared a 5% hike in Nazrana to Devtas.
The traditional Lanka Dahan ceremony marked the end of the week-long festival at Dhalpur Maidan. In a centuries-old custom, the Rupi Kingdom's scions sacrificed the Ashtang Bail to placate Hidimba Devi and other local deities.
Sukhu also revealed plans to build a bridge at Pirdi over the Beas River, costing around Rs 26 crore.
He promised to push for the Bhubhu-Jot tunnel, with talks already underway with Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Financial aid for Dussehra celebrations in Haripur, Manali, will rise to Rs 3 lakh. Sukhu also pledged to strengthen healthcare services in Kullu.
The 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital will get more doctors and nurses. Rs 8 crore was announced for disaster relief in Kullu PWD Mandal and Rs 5 crore for Manali Mandal.
Starting his speech in the local Kulluvi dialect, the Chief Minister and praised Kullu's spirit in last year’s disaster, recalling how Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthi risked their lives to rescue over 300 tourists trapped at Chandratal.
Sukhu hit back at the BJP for spreading lies about Himachal’s economy. He claimed the liquor contracts auction alone earned what the BJP did in four years.
Diwali cheer is on the way, with government employees and pensioners getting their salaries on October 28.
The Chief Minister also flagged off the Kullu Carnival. More than 600 women artists, six international teams, and numerous schools participated.
Sukhu ended his day by inspecting the Bijli Mahadev ropeway and other development projects in Pirdi.
Kullu Dussehra ended in grandeur, with a blend of tradition, announcements, and festivities.