Indora (Kangra), Dec 20: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday said the state government would strongly oppose any move by the Union government to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), calling the scheme a critical support system for the poor.
“MGNREGA has been the world’s largest employment scheme and a lifeline for the underprivileged, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Sukhu said while addressing the closing ceremony of the Indora Utsav in Kangra district. “Its abolition would be an injustice to the poor, and the state government will firmly oppose such a decision.”
The chief minister said the state was committed to inclusive development and was working to create employment and self-employment opportunities across sectors. He added that welfare schemes aimed at rural livelihoods would continue to receive priority.
The Indora Utsav, organised on the theme “Chitta-Free Himachal”, received wide appreciation from the chief minister, who announced that the festival would soon be accorded district-level status.
Sukhu also interacted with students of the Angel Orphanage Home during his visit.
Local MLA Malender Rajan welcomed the chief minister and said the festival was intended to create awareness among youth about the dangers of drug abuse. “The government’s strict action against the drug mafia is showing results,” he said.
Cultural programmes by singer Lakhwinder Badali, the Himachal Pradesh Police Band, and local artists marked the concluding ceremony.
