Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed a conference organised by the Panchayat Chowkidar’s Union at Chaura Maidan in Shimla today. He said that the state government was taking a sympathetic approach towards the long-pending demands of panchayat chowkidars.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had decided to regularize the services of panchayat chowkidars who had completed the required period of service. He said the government had always remained sensitive to the interests and welfare of panchayat chowkidars.

He said that the present state government had closed the loopholes that allowed corruption and had saved more than Rs. 3,000 crore. Referring to Himachal Pradesh’s rightful share in hydropower projects, the Chief Minister said that the state would take control of its resources within its area of authority and move towards self-reliance.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was taking several steps to strengthen the rural economy. Natural farming was being promoted across the state. He said that the government was providing a minimum support price of Rs. 80 per kg for wheat, Rs. 50 per kg for maize and Rs. 150 per kg for raw turmeric produced through natural farming.