Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 5 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated the second phase of the ‘Citizen Connect Program’ at Peterhoff, Shimla, under the state’s flagship initiative ‘Clean City, Prosperous City’. Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s journey towards self-reliance, he said the state is witnessing continuous positive transformation, with the government focusing on inclusive and sustainable urban development to meet the challenges of a growing population and urbanisation.
During the event, the Chief Minister launched the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukaandaar Sukh Kalyan Yojna’, 15 Municipal Shared Services Centres, 9 Online Citizen Services, Chief Minister Urban Digital Identity Scheme, awards scheme under the Swachhata Survey, Central Business Districts in Hamirpur & Shimla and Hydraulic Parking Facilities of the Urban Development department.
He gave settlement letters to small traders and award letter to Self-Help Groups under the ‘Amrit Mitra Scheme’. Urban Local Bodies were also awarded for their exemplary work. The Urban Development department also signed four MoUs in the presence of the Chief Minister with industrial houses.
He praised the ‘Him Seva Facility Portal’, noting that it provides all citizen services through a single platform, calling it a unique initiative nationwide.
He highlighted major urban development projects, including a Rs 400 crore shopping complex at Mandi, Rs 150 crore city beautification in Hamirpur and a shopping complex at the place of the old bus stand in Hamirpur.
Urban development projects worth Rs 7 07 crore will be implemented soon, along with additional facilities worth Rs 500 crore in Shimla. Utility ducts will be established across municipal corporations following Shimla’s model.
The Chief Minister also spoke about future plans for a world-class ‘Him-Chandigarh’ city near Baddi and emphasised government initiatives to strengthen governance, increase citizen participation and ensure transparency in urban local bodies. He noted that 75 strengthened urban local bodies now operate across the state, up from 60 in November 2024.
Highlighting citizen-centric schemes, CM Sukhu mentioned the ‘Chief Minister Urban Livelihood Guarantee Scheme’, providing 120 days of assured employment to urban poor.
“GIS technology is being used for urban planning, revenue growth, tax transparency and property verification with mapping underway in 36 urban local bodies,” he said.
Financial relief measures for Laghu Dukaandaar (small traders) were also announced, including one-time settlement options for outstanding loans of up to Rs 2 lakh.
He said that the State Government has taken an important decision in the interest of small shopkeepers. “Under this decision, shopkeepers who have outstanding bank loans of up to Rs 1 lakh and whose accounts have been declared Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) will be given a one-time settlement facility of up to Rs 1 lakh. Similarly, shopkeepers who have outstanding loans between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh will also be provided a one-time assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh,” CM Sukhu said.
Digital services were further expanded with nine new online services, over 2.5 lakh citizens registered in the first phase and 15 integrated cluster-based citizen service centres were being established at a cost of Rs 47.37 crore.
Every urban household will receive a unique digital identity through digital door plates in urban houses. He stated that a biogas plant (5-20 TPD) will be set up to promote energy, organic fertiliser, and circular economy practices. Urban local bodies ranking in the top 100 of the National Cleanliness Rankings will be rewarded to encourage healthy competition.
Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar highlighted the use of modern technology for efficient service delivery and inclusive urban development.
The Minister stated that urban infrastructure in the state was being developed in line with the growing population. He emphasised that once new schemes were implemented on the ground, they must be executed efficiently and with dedication to ensure their success. He noted a positive transformation in the functioning of urban local bodies with focused efforts towards inclusive development in all areas.
Highlighting various initiatives of the Urban Development Department, he added that the state government was ensuring the use of the latest technologies to accelerate and improve urban development.
Director Neeraj Kumar welcomed the Chief Minister and briefed him about departmental initiatives. The program was attended by Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal and representatives from urban local bodies across the state. (ANI)