CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Announced Varied Development Projects In Shahpur On Internationals Women’s Day
Shimla, 8 March, 2025: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, announced a milestone initiative for Shahpur Assembly Constituency of Kangra District that is set to usher in transformative change. Sukhu also laid the foundation stones of several government offices and development projects in the Shahpur area while addressing a mammoth public meeting on the Chambi Ground. These announcements highlight the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the region and the empowerment of women.
It will enhance access to justice and law enforcement services for the people in the Shahpur area,” said the Chief Minister. These beliefs will be better understood and overcome with the establishment of and functioning of these institutions, which will facilitate legal processes and regional security among residents while strengthening governance. The Chief Minister also announced upgrades and improvements to local education and health infrastructure. Government Senior Secondary School Rait will become Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School providing more educational facilities to the students. Another Rs 25 lakh will be for construction of the Guru Ravidas Bhawan in Shahpur to be used as a cultural and community centre.
The government is focusing on healthcare facilities in Shahpur. PHC in Rirkmar will be upgraded to CHC (Community Health Center) which will ensure better healthcare for people of the region. Oxygen plant will be installed at the Civil Hospital in Shahpur and new medical equipment including ultrasound and dialysis machines will also be provided. The government will also build a PHC lounge building and create posts for a dentist in the Civil Hospital and PHC Naganpat and a dental hygienist in PHC Chadi.
Sukhu made another significant announcement on this occasion, stating that the Government College in Lanj will offer BCA, BVoc, and PGDCA courses, giving students more options to excel in their fields of choice. The Government College Shahpur and Govt. Industrial Training Institute Shahpur is also being renamed after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Govt. High School Bhanala will be renamed after Shaheed Pawan Kumar, and Pakka Tiyala to Chauri road after Shaheed Milap Singh Jamwal.
Projects for Developmental Infrastructure
In Shahpur, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of several ambitious infrastructure projects costing Rs 30.9 crore. These initiatives seek to enhance connectivity, promote economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for residents in both Shahpur and nearby regions. A Rs 11 crore Laleta-Banu Mahadev link road will greatly improve access to remote areas. A link road will also be constructed from National Highway 154 to Dhanotu through Bad Basti, for which an amount of Rs 4.41 crore will be spent, while the Bhanala-Rulaihad road will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 19.86 crore. In addition, the road from Rirkamar to Kutharna will be upgraded at an expenditure of Rs 5.47 crore, and a new pavilion block will be constructed at Rait (Chambi) stadium, work for which is expected to cost Rs 1.16 crore.
The Chief Minister, who also visited the construction site of Maharana Pratap Bhawan, which is an important cultural centre being built by the Rajput Sabha. Shahpur and the surrounding region is also undergoing rapid infrastructural growth, with these optimisations in both connectivity as well as cultural infrastructure led to make the region more engaging and accessible to and for both locals as well as tourist.
At the Leading Edge of Women Empowerment
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, CM Sukhu also reiterated his government’s unflinching commitment to empowering the women folk. He thanked the Congress party and its leadership, especially former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, for the 33 percent reservation given to the women in Panchayati Raj institutions. This was a historic step that gave women a greater voice in the decision-making process at the grassroots-level, he said, adding that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of empowering women made an impact on society.
Sukhu said he was committed to the welfare and empowerment of women in the state and added that the state government had recently changed land laws by giving daughters equal rights in property, along with sons. It is also enhanced the reservation for the women in the police recruitment, which is now 30 percent.
He stated: “Under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, full expenditure of studies of children of widowed women are being spent so that their education is not interrupted for financial reasons.” Sukhu said the state government is committed to giving women more opportunities to play an active role in decision-making as women are the pillars of development and progress of the state.
Celebrating Female Achievement
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, CM Sukhu also felicitated many women for their outstanding contribution to the society. The Chief Minister also distributed a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each under Mahila Vikas Protsahan Yojana to women leaders and entrepreneurs which includes Saksham Cluster Level Federation Basantpur from Shimla, Dolma Negi from Reckong Peo, Parul Minhas from Kumarsain, Anshul Malhotra from Mandi and Nikita from Kangra District.
Besides, best Anganwadi workers and assistants serving in the 11 districts were also recognized for their community service, and self-help groups working in all the 12 districts were honored for their contributions to rural development. Girl students who secured merit in class 10th and 12th in Kangra district of the Himachal were also given a salutation for their academic superiority.
The Chief Minister also gave a cheque of Rs 3 lakh to Pragati to build a house under the Chief Minister Sukh-Aashray Yojana and Rs 2 lakh to Mohini Devi for marriage. He also awarded three national Kabaddi players, reiterating their support for women in sport in the state.
Before him, for special mention of the renowned individuals as well as organizations, Mandi’s Naina Federation, Mashobra’s Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Cluster, Paonta Sahib’s Shri Devi Sahiba and several other women groups were honored as well. It was their hard work and dedication to the community that helped in making the allusion to their significant factors contributing to the state.
Countering Criticism of the BJP Government
The Chief Minister also used his speech to criticize the BJP led government of Jagat Prakash Nadda and questioned the minister about what solutions he is going to offer to the state’s problems. “What doctor is he who treats but does not give vision?” Sukhu said. Alleging that if the problems faced by the state were resolved by Nadda, the wealth of Himachal Pradesh would not have been siphoned off in the previous regime. Sukhu said his government would hold up to the former BJP government its poor governance, corruption and financial embezzlements, especially related to the rights of farmers and women in the state.
“Despite natural calamity in 2023, when 551 people died and 23,000 families were affected, the Center is trying to withhold funds for Himachal Pradesh and deprived the State of Central assistance,” said the Chief Minister. Pointing to the unwillingness of the Union Government to help the hill State, he said, “It is an entitlement of the people of Himachal Pradesh now, they should be given their justified share” as they had been deprived of funds for long. Sukhu promised to struggle for the rights of the people and stated that the state would raise its voice to get the money due to Himachal Pradesh from the Central Government.
It was a milestone in the development of the region and highlighted his government’s commitment towards women welfare and infrastructure development as Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited Shahpur for the International Women’s Day. As part of its progressive vision for the future, key projects were announced in the reform, empowerment of women, and a part of the reform were the recognition and celebration of exemplary women leaders and workers. The government has no doubt that the empowerment of women and their participation in decision-making will create a Himachal Pradesh which will co-exist together with strength.
Having the groundwork established for these game-changing programs, the residents of Shahpur as well as neighboring regions may anticipate a more promising future spearheaded by fair development, enhanced governance, and fortified collaboration among members of the community.
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