Offerings to deities increased by 5 percent and honorarium of Bajantaris and distance allowance by 20 percent

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the closing ceremony of International Kullu Dussehra-2024 today, announced a 5 percent increase in offerings to deities, 20 percent in honorarium of Bajantris and 20 percent in distance allowance.

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.

Shri Sukhu said the BJP was spreading false propaganda about the economy of Himachal Pradesh whereas the government was making every effort to make it a self-reliant state. He said that by auctioning liquor contracts, the present government earned revenue equal to the previous government’s four years in one year. In view of Diwali, the state government was going to give salary and pension to all employees and pensioners on October 28 itself. The state government was also making efforts to strengthen the rural economy for which many schemes were going to be launched in the near future. He appealed to all sections for their cooperation to make Himachal Pradesh stand on its own feet.

He also rewarded the winners of various competitions.

Shri Sukhu also offered prayers in the camp of Lord Raghunath and wished for happiness and prosperity in the state. He also flagged-off the Kullu Carnival in which more than 600 women and artists participated including six international teams, various schools and women from more than thirty self-help groups besides tableaux from various departments.

The Chief Minister inspected the site of the base station of Bijli Mahadev ropeway being constructed at a cost of Rs 273 crore in Pirdi. He said that the state government had received the FCA clearance for the construction of this ropeway. He also inspected the site of the proposed Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School and Judicial Complex in Pirdi. He inspected the way-side amenities being prepared through the Tourism Department at Hathithan and gave necessary instructions to the officials.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur thanked the officers and employees, public representatives and all sections involved in the successful organization of the Kullu Dussehra. He also thanked the state government for full cooperation in organising this festival. He said that international cultural groups participated in the fair and brought it fame in the country and abroad. The state government was making efforts to send state cultural teams abroad so that foreigners could know the rich culture of Himachal Pradesh. Dev traditions had been given the highest place in Himachal Pradesh and Kullu Dussehra witnessed the presence of record deities during this year.

MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaud also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Chief Minister for equitable and speedy development of all areas of the state. He said the state government had taken care of every section in its tenure of 20 months with special focus on welfare of women and orphans.

District Kullu Devi Devta Kaardar Sangh presented a cheque of Rs. 5 lakh to the Chief Minister towards CM Relief Fund on this occasion.

District Congress President Ses Ram Azad, Congress leaders Buddhi Singh Thakur, Khimi Ram, Vijay Pal Singh, Vice Chairman, HPSIDC Vishal Chambyal, APMC, Mandi President Sanjeev Guleria, Coordinator, HP Kaushal Vikas Nigam Atul Karohta and DC Kullu Torul S Ravish were also present on this occasion.