Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, November 12
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for ‘Himachal Haat’ in Shimla — a marketplace that will bring together traditional products from all 12 districts of the state under one roof. The project, being developed by the Rural Development Department under the State Rural Livelihood Mission, aims to provide a platform for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to sell locally made goods. Sukhu said the initiative would strengthen women’s livelihoods and help promote self-reliance among rural communities.
“The state government is continuously working to empower women from rural backgrounds by creating employment opportunities. I have instructed officials to complete the work at the earliest,” Sukhu said.
The Chief Minister also took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming the opposition was divided into five factions. “The BJP is fragmented and its leaders are busy fighting for dominance. The remarks of Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur should not be taken seriously,” Sukhu said, adding that the state’s excise policy under his government had generated higher revenue.
Referring to recent political events, he said, “When slogans for Anurag Thakur as the next Chief Minister were raised in Mandi, Jairam Thakur switched to another camp in Sujanpur. The BJP even tried to sell democracy during the Rajya Sabha elections, but the people once again restored the Congress to 40 seats.”
The ‘Himachal Haat’ project is expected to become a major platform for women entrepreneurs and rural artisans, showcasing the rich cultural and craft heritage of the state.
