Kangra, June 27 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Saturday reached the state’s remotest village, Bara Bhangal, in Kangra district, located at an altitude of over 2,800 metres, by helicopter and will stay overnight.
During his stay in Bara Bhangal, Sukhu becomes the first Chief Minister to do so, as previous Chief Ministers had visited but none had stayed overnight.
Sheep and cattle rearing is the main occupation of the nomadic locals. Situated between the mighty Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas, Bara Bhangal is considered to be the remotest village, with nearly 500 electorates.
After hearing the residents’ concerns, the Chief Minister, accompanied by local legislator Kishori Lal, made six major announcements. He announced that all eligible women in Bara Bhangal would receive Rs 1,500 per month under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana.
To ensure uninterrupted electricity, generator sets would be installed to provide a 24-hour power supply in the region.
He also announced that school-going children from Bara Bhangal would receive incentives to encourage them to continue their education. The government would designate nearby schools as nodal schools so that children from Bara Bhangal can pursue their education in areas such as Bir and other nearby locations.
The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to develop Bara Bhangal as an eco-tourism destination.
He also announced that the state government would provide a minimum support price for rajmah grown through natural farming in the region.
Sukhu instructed Agriculture Department officers to connect the people of Bara Bhangal with natural farming initiatives and ensure that they receive all necessary support and facilities.
He also made an important announcement for the region’s sheep rearers, stating that the government would procure mutton from them.
The Chief Minister assured the residents that the government would take every possible step to make their lives easier. Before reaching Bara Bhangal, part of the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, he toured the area to assess the damage caused by recent natural disasters.
In the evening, the Chief Minister gained firsthand insight into the hardships faced by residents of this remote region.
Notably, no Chief Minister had visited Bara Bhangal since 2011.
–IANS
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