DW BUREAU / Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday alleged that the BJP is spreading false propaganda about the economy of the state whereas the government is making every effort to make it self-reliant.

Sukhu said this while presiding over the closing ceremony of International Kullu Dussehra-2024 in Kullu.

He said by auctioning liquor contracts, the present government earned revenue equal to the previous government's four years in one year and in view of Diwali, the state government will give salary and pension to all employees and pensioners on October 28.

"The BJP is spreading false propaganda about the economy of Himachal Pradesh whereas the government is making every effort to make it a self-reliant state," he said in a statement issued here.

He announced the construction of a bridge at a cost of about Rs 26 crore to connect the left and right banks of Beas River at Pirdi in Kullu district. He said that the state government would make every effort to construct Bhubhu-Jot tunnel and this matter had been raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. He announced to increase the financial assistance from the state government for Dussehra celebrations at Haripur in Manali to three lakh rupees.

Shri Sukhu said that the state government would strengthen the 100-bedded Mother and Child Hospital in Kullu to provide better health services to the people of the district. He assured to appoint medical specialist doctors, nurses and paramedical staff there. He said adequate doctors and nurses would be appointed as per international standards in all the model health institutions and CHC Patlikuhal of district Kullu.

He said that the state government would provide adequate funds to ensure world class health technology in Kullu district hospital. "The previous BJP government ruined the education and health sectors and failed to appoint doctors and nurses. However, the present state government is giving top priority to strengthening the health and education infrastructure" said the Chief Minister.

He also announced to provide Rs. 8 crore to Kullu PWD Mandal and Rs. 5 crore to Manali Mandal for disaster relief work.

Starting his speech in Kulluvi dialect, the Chief Minister said "Vida Dashmi Ri Tusa Sabhi be Badhai." He said he wanted to participate in Kullu Dussehra festival last year too, but could not make it due to ill health. This fair was becoming of international level in true sense and every year it would be made better. The slogan of systematic change of the state government was also visible in Kullu Dussehra, he added.

He said that Kullu suffered the most damage during the disaster last year, but he himself and all his Cabinet colleagues stood there day and night to provide relief to the people. The people of Kullu set up langars (community kitchens) at various places and people of the country and abroad would never forget this spirit of service. He said Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthi risked their lives and brought more than 300 tourists trapped in Chandratal to their

homes safely.
(editor@dailyworld.in)