CM Sukhu Breaks Protocol: Stays Overnight in Remote Mehla Village
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stays overnight in remote Mehla village to resolve grievances and announce new welfare schemes.
In a move that has resonated deeply with the residents of the remote hills, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwaar programme at Mehla, a secluded village within the Bharmaur assembly constituency of Chamba district. Breaking away from the traditional confines of government rest houses, the Chief Minister spent Thursday night staying in a local village home, marking the first time a sitting Chief Minister has overnighted in this remote region to interact directly with the people.
A Warm Welcome and Grassroots Interaction
The Chief Minister's arrival in the Mehla gram panchayat was met with traditional fervor. Local residents, dressed in their ethnic attire, welcomed him with the melodies of hill folk tunes. During his stay, CM Sukhu engaged in heartfelt conversations with members of Mahila Mandals and Yuvak Mandals, listening to their grievances and sampling local delicacies provided by the villagers.
Explaining the purpose of such visits, the Chief Minister stated that staying overnight in remote villages is essential to gaining first-hand insight into the challenges faced by the local population. He emphasized that Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwaar is a flagship initiative of the state government, designed to ensure that the benefits of development reach the very last person in society.
New Welfare Schemes and Educational Boosts
During the event, the Chief Minister announced several key developments for the region:
- Financial Support for Women: Under the upcoming Mukhya Mantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana, which launches next month, 172 families in the Mehla gram panchayat have been identified. Eligible women aged 21 to 59 will receive Rs. 1,500 per month. Notably, if a single family has three eligible women, all three will receive the benefit.
- Education: To improve local academic infrastructure, a CBSE school is set to become functional at Mehla starting from the next academic session.
Boosting Rural Economy and Farmer Income
CM Sukhu highlighted the government's efforts to increase the income of farmers and livestock rearers through enhanced procurement rates:
- Barley Procurement: In the Pangi valley of Chamba, the purchase rate for naturally grown barley has been increased from Rs. 70 to Rs. 80 per kg.
- Milk Prices: The procurement price for cow's milk has jumped from Rs. 31 to Rs. 61 per kg, while buffalo milk has risen from Rs. 46 to Rs. 71 per kg.
- Producer Incentives: To further support milk producers, the incentive amount has been doubled from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 per litre.
Additionally, the Chief Minister revealed that the state is developing a new scheme specifically for the Gaddi community to help them secure fairer prices for meat.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Addressing governance and transparency, CM Sukhu reiterated his administration's zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, asserting that this stance has already helped increase state revenue. He referenced the dissolution of the Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC) following irregularities and paper leaks that had unfairly impacted meritorious students.
The Chief Minister confirmed that officers and officials involved in those irregularities remain behind bars. He assured the public that the recruitment process has now been fully computerised to ensure complete transparency. Furthermore, he noted that the government is prioritising the filling of vacant posts across the health, education, and other vital departments to ensure smooth administrative functioning.