6 days ago
CM Sukhu urges youth to actively support govt efforts to make Himachal a drug-free State
Amid concerns over the rising drug menace, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) urged the youth to actively support the State government's efforts to make Himachal a drug-free State by reporting drug traffickers to the police.
Speaking in Shimla, on the occasion of International Youth Day, the Chief Minister assured that the government was committed to rehabilitating those trapped in the drug menace. He added that strict action was being taken against drug mafias, including confiscation of their properties.
'Today's youth are the future of the nation and the progress of Himachal Pradesh is directly linked to their well-being,' said Mr. Sukhu. 'The reforms we are implementing today will benefit the youth in the next five years, when they will proudly say they belong to the most prosperous State in the country,' he added.
The Chief Minister said that the Government was creating employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth, besides encouraging start-ups. 'To promote tourism, the State would invest ₹3,000 crore in the coming years. The government was offering loans at a 4% interest rate for home-stay construction. Presently, about 8,000 home-stays are operational in the State and tourism activities have begun along the China border. These steps would go a long way in promoting the tourism activities in the State,' he pointed out.
The Chief Minister said that 6,000 orphaned children have been declared 'Children of the State', and financial support for higher education under the Dr. YS Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana, which offers loans up to ₹20 lakh at just 1 % interest rate, was also being implemented in the State.
He said the State government was promoting natural farming, offering minimum support prices for wheat, maize, raw turmeric and barley. 'Himachal aims to become a leader in natural farming, with processed products being made available through fair price shops,' he said.
