Centre imposed financial restrictions after we restored old pension: Sukhu

On the other hand Thakur, now the Leader of Opposition, hit out at Sukhu saying the chief minister “spends his day making false claims and keeps trying to cover his failures with fabricated narratives”.

Sukhu, meanwhile, announced the opening of a patwar circle and a health sub-centre at Manjheli in Nadaun. He also announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh and 100 chairs for Mahila Mandals, with Rs 10 lakh earmarked for the construction of each Mahila Mandal Bhawan. Additionally, Rs 50 lakh has already been sanctioned for road improvements in the Manjheli Panchayat.

Refuting claims by BJP MP Anurag Thakur regarding the establishment of Hamirpur Medical College, the chief minister said that the project was sanctioned by former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Sukhu explained that while the BJP government’s chief minister only laid the foundation stone, no further progress was made. He said that Manmohan Singh had approved Rs 190 crore for the project, and the current state government had allocated an additional Rs 400 crore from its own resources to complete the construction.

Highlighting reforms in education and health sectors, he said Himachal Pradesh had risen from 21st to 5th position in the national education index. “We are upgrading 20-year-old medical equipment with advanced machines at par with AIIMS Delhi to ensure world-class healthcare,” he said.

LoP Thakur, meanwhile, accused Sukhu of being insensitive towards the people suffering from serious illnesses, by dismantling the scheme. The former CM, in a press statement said that HIMCARE — a cashless health insurance scheme — which was introduced by the previous BJP government “with a noble intent”, has been dismantled by the present government.

“He keeps trying to cover his failures with fabricated narratives. He should at least show some compassion for those battling with life-threatening diseases. People are being forced to take loans for medical treatment or, worse, are unable to afford treatment altogether. Even cancer patients fighting for their lives are not receiving support. Instead of fighting the disease, they are being forced to struggle against the failures of the CM Sukhu-led state government,” the LoP said.

Sukhu, meanwhile, said that that the state’s first indoor stadium, worth Rs 120 crore, is under construction. The facility will include a swimming pool, a shooting range, and infrastructure for 17 sports. He said additional land would be acquired to develop football and hockey stadiums in the region.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Nadaun for their unwavering support over the past 23 years, Sukhu fondly recalled his childhood in Manjheli. “I grew up here in Manjheli, and the memories of playing with my childhood friends are still fresh in my mind. There will be no delay in the development of Nadaun,” he assured.

Sukhu also laid the foundation stone for the Karsai Primary Health Centre (PHC), which will be built at a cost of Rs 2.04 crore. Initially, the PHC will function from a rented building, with staff appointments to be made soon.