Dharmani commemorates legacy of HP’s first CM on Children’s Day

In Bagthan, the birthplace of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, Himachal Pradesh’s first Chief Minister, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani honoured Parmar’s contributions during a Children’s Day gathering. Dharmani praised Dr Parmar’s pivotal role in shaping the state’s identity and advancing its journey to full statehood. He acknowledged Dr Parmar’s vision and the efforts of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, whose support granted Himachal Pradesh special state status, empowering it with legislative autonomy.

Dharmani reaffirmed the current government’s commitment to realising Parmar’s vision of a prosperous Himachal Pradesh. He emphasised that the government’s focus is on ensuring the welfare of every village and farmer, a goal that aligns with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s dedication to public welfare.

The minister highlighted several welfare initiatives aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities. These include the “Children of the State” programme, which provides support to orphaned children, covering education and well-being needs and financial support for children of widows.

Additionally, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to establish a minimum support price (MSP) for milk — set at Rs 45 per litre for cow’s milk and Rs 55 for buffalo’s milk — as well as MSPs for organic wheat and maize, offering economic stability to farmers.

Dharmani also announced a hike in MGNREGA daily wages from Rs 240 to Rs 300, along with the introduction of skill-based courses in agriculture and horticulture at ITI levels to empower youth in rural economies.

In healthcare, Dharmani emphasised the government’s strategy to strengthen existing institutions by establishing model health centres in each assembly constituency, focusing on quality improvement over expansion