CM Distributes Land Allotment Certificates to 89 Pong Dam Displaced Families in Dehra, Announces ₹3 Lakh Aid for Housing
Shimla | June 3:
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today distributed land allotment certificates to 89 Pong Dam displaced families during a public function held in Haripur, under Dehra Assembly constituency of Kangra district. He acknowledged the longstanding struggle of these families, who have endured the pain of displacement for nearly five decades, and said the state government is now ensuring their rightful entitlement.
The Chief Minister credited the local MLA for strongly advocating for the cause and announced that remaining displaced families will also be allotted land soon. Additionally, each family will receive ₹3 lakh in financial assistance for house construction.
He noted that Dehra did not have a Congress representative for the past 25 years, and criticized a former independent MLA for resigning out of arrogance, which he said disrespected the democratic process. That by-election gave Congress MLA Kamlesh Thakur the opportunity to represent the constituency. “Dehra is now on the path of transformation,” he said.
Recalling a recent interaction with two girls from Nandpur, the CM mentioned that the area had no accessible transport during monsoons. “I want to assure you that the Nandpur bridge will be completed by December this year,” he said. “Earlier, it was said that Dehra had no one. I say now—Dehra is mine.”
On the health infrastructure front, the CM announced that each of the state’s 68 constituencies will have model health institutions with six specialists each, bringing expert care closer to people’s homes. He declared that Haripur Community Health Centre will be upgraded to a model health institution, along with ₹2 crore sanctioned for residential quarters for doctors.
Speaking about the development of Durgesh Aranya Wildlife Park in Bankhandi, he stated that ₹619 crore is being invested to build an international-level zoological park, with the first phase to be completed next year. He emphasized the park’s potential to boost tourism and strengthen the regional economy.
The CM also noted the expansion of Kangra Airport is progressing and that fair compensation will be provided to those affected. In another major administrative move, he announced the relocation of the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department from Shimla to Dharamshala, adding that more government offices will be shifted to Kangra in the future.
He expressed concern over the loss in state revenue due to GST implementation, explaining that earlier the state received ₹3,000 crore annually, but now only receives ₹150 crore, severely impacting financial stability.
MLA Kamlesh Thakur thanked the state government for its continued support and highlighted key development initiatives underway in the constituency, including the Durgesh Aranya Wildlife Park, the Rani Tal–Mubarakpur Road, and significant PWD sector projects worth ₹214 crore. She also informed that ₹43 crore is being spent on restoring 24 drinking water schemes damaged during the 2023 natural disaster, which includes the installation of water treatment plants.
Other dignitaries present included MLAs Sanjay Rattan and Ashish Butail, HPMC Vice Chairman Keher Singh Khachi, CM’s Advisor on IT and Innovation Gokul Butail, HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Chairman Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Chairman Ram Chandra Pathania, APMC Kangra Chairman Nishu Mongra, Wool Federation Chairman Manoj Kumar, Congress leaders Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Devendra Jaggi, Surender Mankotia, Pushpinder Thakur, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa, Dehra SP Mayank Chaudhary, and other prominent officials.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
