Himachal’s 68 MLAs to Embark on Foreign Exposure Tours under Sukhu Government’s Initiative

Shimla, March 27: In a move aimed at broadening the horizons of Himachal Pradesh’s lawmakers, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state government will be sending all 68 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) abroad on exposure visits. The announcement came on Thursday during the Assembly session, in response to a question raised by MLA Vipin Parmar regarding the educational tours of school children.

The Chief Minister emphasized that these international visits for MLAs would help foster new thinking and fresh perspectives, which are essential for the state’s growth and development. Sukhu stated that by observing global practices and learning from international models, the MLAs will gain valuable insights that can be applied to improve the state’s policies and developmental initiatives.

“The exposure visits will provide our MLAs with an opportunity to view development projects from a global perspective. This will help them understand different methodologies and practices followed in other countries, which they can then adapt to our state’s needs,” Sukhu added during the discussion in the Assembly.

The initiative is expected to promote better governance by allowing MLAs to gain firsthand experience of global best practices. These tours are not just about sightseeing but will be linked with various state projects, ensuring that the knowledge acquired during these visits can directly benefit Himachal Pradesh’s ongoing and future development projects.

The government’s initiative has sparked interest and raised expectations, as many see it as a progressive step towards improving governance through exposure to global best practices. However, the plan is also likely to face scrutiny over the expenses involved and the timing of such tours. With an eye on the economic impact and the return on investment, the government will need to balance the benefits of these tours against public expectations.

The announcement comes on the heels of an earlier statement by Education Minister Rohit Thakur, who addressed the Assembly regarding the educational tours for school children in the state. Thakur informed the House that over Rs 1.59 crore had been spent on sending students abroad as part of an educational initiative. He also revealed that an additional Rs 2.13 crore had been allocated for a teachers’ training program held in Singapore, conducted by the government-run ‘Principal Academy’.

Thakur noted that the tours aim to enhance the global outlook of students and teachers, helping them appreciate cultural diversity while introducing them to the advanced education systems of countries like Singapore. A select group of teachers from Himachal Pradesh participated in a five-day study tour in 2024 and 2025, which involved classroom training, school visits, and cultural excursions.

The government also made it clear that all students selected for these educational tours were chosen through a transparent process, ensuring fairness and equity in the selection criteria.

Critics, however, have raised questions about the prioritization of such international trips when the state faces pressing issues like unemployment, infrastructure development, and healthcare. While exposure visits can help improve the outlook of lawmakers, some believe that the government should first focus on addressing domestic challenges before embarking on international initiatives.

Nevertheless, Sukhu’s government remains optimistic about the potential benefits these tours can bring, not just to the MLAs but also to the state’s overall development agenda.

As the Sukhu government moves forward with this initiative, all eyes will be on the outcomes and whether these foreign tours will yield tangible improvements for the development of Himachal Pradesh in the long run.