Shimla
 
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced development projects worth Rs 415.80 crore, including new schools, roads, healthcare and administrative facilities, during his three-day visit to Rohru and Rampur from October 1 to 3, while responding to demands raised by residents and students in some of the state’s remotest hill areas. He also announced higher procurement support for milk and apples and distributed Rs 5.78 crore in welfare assistance to 1,471 registered construction workers and their dependents.
 
The visit covered two Assembly constituencies of Shimla district and saw Sukhu dedicate 61 projects worth Rs 182.87 crore in Rohru and 28 projects worth Rs 232.93 crore in Rampur. Much of the focus was on longstanding local demands relating to connectivity, education, healthcare, transportation, drinking water and community infrastructure.
 
Sukhu also stayed overnight at Bhatwari in Rohru and Kasha-Pat in Rampur, becoming the first Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister to stay overnight in both locations, according to the government. The stays were accompanied by direct interactions with residents, who raised local problems and sought immediate intervention.
 
At PM Shri Government Model Senior Secondary School, Rohru, a student’s request for a new school building led Sukhu to announce Rs two crore for its construction. He later announced that Jangla and Chirgaon schools would be brought under the CBSE system.
 
At Chirgaon, Sukhu announced an increase in the milk support price from December 1 and raised the procurement price of apples under the Market Intervention Scheme from Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg.
 
He also announced the upgradation of Community Health Centre Sandasu into a Civil Hospital, a Sub-Tehsil at Samarkot and a survey for an SDM office at Chirgaon.
 
At the ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme in Bhatwari, the Chief Minister announced Rs five lakh each for Mahila Mandals, Rs 20 lakh for the Chingwari road and Rs five lakh for construction of the Pekha-Diudi Mahila Mandal building. He also assured residents that the Barshil Bridge would be made motorable and announced that Dhamwari School would be brought under the CBSE system.
 
The government has sanctioned Rs 36 crore for the Tikker-Jarol-Gahan road, which is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate transportation of apples to markets.
 
Education-related concerns figured prominently during Sukhu’s interactions with students in Rampur. Students raised questions over teacher availability and teachers being assigned non-academic duties. The Chief Minister assured them that necessary action would be taken and announced the inclusion of Taklech School under the CBSE system.
 
At Kasha-Pat, he announced Rs 2 crore for a new school building and a playground. He also said the government was working to start a bus service from Kasha-Pat through Taklech to Rampur to improve transport access for children and residents.
 
At Government Senior Secondary School, Rampur Bushahr, a student sought a building for Government Senior Secondary School, Racholi. Sukhu announced Rs 2 crore for the proposed building.
 
Sukhu also took part in Anti-Chitta rallies in both Rohru and Rampur, reiterating the government’s commitment to making Himachal Pradesh a Chitta-free state.
 
At Nogli, the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board provided Rs 5,78,81,725 in financial assistance to 1,471 registered workers and their dependents under various welfare schemes.
 
The visit brought a string of project announcements and on-the-spot decisions, but also highlighted the continuing dependence of remote hill communities on improvements in basic connectivity, public services, education and transport, said a government spokesperson.