Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday that the state has made strong progress toward becoming self-reliant in the past three years. He was responding to the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has criticised the Congress government’s plan to hold a statewide celebration on December 11 to mark its three years in office. The chief minister said the BJP should “first check whether it stands on moral ground itself” before talking about morality.
Sukhu made the remark while inaugurating the Children of the State Sports and Cultural Meet–2025 on The Ridge in Shimla. The four-day event is being organised jointly by the state police and the social justice and empowerment department. Around 600 children from 29 Bal-Balika Sukh Aashraya ashrams across Himachal Pradesh are participating in various sports, cultural activities, and performances.
Speaking at the event, the chief minister highlighted two major policy decisions that, according to him, have helped Himachal Pradesh move closer to financial and administrative self-reliance. He said the government had “shut the backdoor of corruption” by preventing irregular recruitments and stopping malpractices that were earlier common in several departments.
The BJP recently questioned the government’s decision to celebrate its three years in office at a time when the state is still recovering from natural disasters. BJP state media in-charge Randhir Sharma had claimed that the Congress government had no moral right to hold a celebration.
Reacting sharply, Sukhu said the December 11 programme was a party event meant to present the performance and achievements of the Congress government. According to him, the Opposition was raising objections only because it had “nothing to show” from its own time in power.
Sukhu also addressed another allegation made by BJP leaders regarding the Mandi Medical College. The Opposition had accused the government of removing professors from the institution. The chief minister denied this, saying no professor had been removed. Instead, he explained that the state government was creating a separate cadre system for medical colleges. Under this system, the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla would have its own cadre, and the directorates of medical education and medical services would function independently.
He added that 28 doctors from IGMC who were earlier transferred had now been retained in medical facilities in Mandi. More medical staff would also be sent soon, ensuring there would be no shortage of doctors. Sukhu said the previous BJP government opened medical colleges without proper planning and even outsourced MRI machines to private companies, a practice the present government would not allow. “Transfers will happen only as required, not due to political fear,” he said.
The chief minister then spoke about his personal commitment to the welfare of children living in ashrams. He said his decision to visit a girls’ orphanage on his first day as chief minister reflected his belief that these children deserved full support from the state. “Traditionally, CMs hold meetings in the Secretariat on Day One. But I went to an orphanage,” he said.
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He shared that during this visit on December 11, 2022, he observed the living conditions, food, and daily routines of the children. The experience made him realise that many of them lacked support once they turned 18. This thought led to the creation of the Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Act, a first-of-its-kind law in India. Under the Act, the government becomes responsible for a child from birth until the age of 27. He said, “For them, the government is the mother and the government is the father. They are the ‘Children of the State.’”
At the Shimla event, the chief minister distributed laptops and school bags to children. Several activities, including a dog show, cultural programmes, street plays, and tug-of-war competitions, were some of the main attractions.
In another event on Thursday, Sukhu presided over the closing ceremony of the International Lavi Fair in Rampur, a historic trade fair that has been celebrated since the 17th century. During the ceremony, he said the state government had urged the Central government to reopen trade through the Shipki La pass, which connects India with the Tibet region of China.
He added that discussions were in progress to start the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La. The existing road network from Rampur Bushahr to Pooh and further up to the pass could support the development of infrastructure needed for the pilgrimage. Sukhu also said his government was promoting border tourism from Shipki La. As a result of these efforts, more than 70,000 tourists have already visited the pass.
The chief minister announced that the Rampur school would shift to the CBSE curriculum from the next academic session. Public works department minister Vikramaditya Singh welcomed Sukhu and praised the state government for supporting the fair while preserving its traditional spirit. He said that approvals worth ₹120 crore had recently been sanctioned for the construction of 13 new roads in the Rampur block and assured that development in the region would continue without delays.
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