Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stones for 26 development projects worth Rs. 1.75 bn in the Bharmour Assembly constituency of Chamba district on Thursday. He also inaugurated several completed works during a public programme at Lylh Kothi.

Sukhu formed a committee to discuss with the Centre the demand for Scheduled Tribe status for 27 gram panchayats in the constituency. He announced that the state government would soon introduce the Mukhya Mantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana, which will cover more than 300,000 families with annual incomes below Rs. 75,000.

Under the proposed scheme, eligible women aged 21 to 59 will receive monthly assistance of Rs. 1,500. The package will also provide 300 units of free electricity and health insurance coverage of Rs. 1 mn, according to officials.

The chief minister announced Rs. 180 mn for construction of the Holi-Utrala road and said CBSE-affiliated schools would open at Lylh, Mehla, Bharmour, Sunara and Holi from the next academic session. The government will also examine proposals to upgrade schools at Churi, Chadi, Ananaihar, Grundhi and Kunaid, and assess a suitable location for a helipad.

Among the completed works was a Model Degree College at Lylh Kothi, built at a cost of Rs. 144.6 mn. Officials said the upgraded Bharmour-Badgram via Gaagal to Luni road and the Sirdi-Supa road cost Rs. 106.4 mn and Rs. 96.5 mn, respectively. New road projects include Nayagram-Bajol at Rs. 112.6 mn, Lamu-Quarsi at Rs. 169.8 mn and Kandi-Kuther at Rs. 119.8 mn, while a 30-bed hospital building at Choori Community Health Centre will cost Rs. 56.4 mn. Sukhu criticised the previous BJP government for inadequate attention to health, education and road connectivity in the constituency.