Brighter future: Chauhan sanctions projects, empowers edu in Shillai
Industries, Parliamentary Affairs, and Labour & Employment Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan today inaugurated three newly constructed classrooms at Government Senior Secondary School, Thontha, built at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. The inauguration was part of his visit to the Shillai Assembly constituency in district Sirmaur.
Addressing a public gathering, the minister emphasised the state government’s commitment to strengthening the infrastructure of government schools and equipping them with modern educational facilities. “Shillai constituency has seen significant progress in this direction,” he stated, adding that 80 per cent of teaching posts in the region have been filled during the current term to ensure quality education.
He called upon students to treat schools as temples of learning and teachers as embodiments of wisdom and discipline. He also urged teachers to pay special attention to the educational development of children, noting that academic results reflect the combined effort of both students and educators.
Highlighting the broader developmental initiatives undertaken in the region, Chauhan said the present government has launched multiple schemes to improve roads, education, healthcare, drinking water, and electricity facilities. “Over Rs 250 crore worth of developmental projects have been sanctioned for the constituency, many of which are already under execution,” he said.
The minister further shared that nearly every village in Shillai is now connected by roads, with a new route to Tinbi under construction. This will benefit the residents of Kota Pab and surrounding areas by reducing travel time significantly.
In the realm of water supply, he mentioned that the Thontha Water Supply Scheme, worth Rs 5.80 crore, and the Bagh Hawra Scheme, worth Rs. 3.50 crore, are being developed to resolve drinking water issues in multiple villages.
Chauhan also pointed out a significant improvement in Shillai’s standing in NABARD-sanctioned projects. “Earlier ranked 65th in the state, the constituency now holds the 20th position. Our target is to reach the top 10 by 2027,” he said, citing the implementation of Rs. 105 crore worth of NABARD projects during the current tenure.
Focusing on farmers’ welfare, the minister said the state has launched several pro-farmer schemes. Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to offer Minimum Support Price (MSP) for natural farming produce — Rs 60/kg for wheat, Rs 40/kg for maize, and Rs 90/kg for turmeric. Later, he also interacted with locals in Thontha to hear their grievances and assured them of appropriate redressal.
Himachal Tribune