MANALI: Amid big winter chill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday kicked off the five-day long national Winter Carnival in this tourist town, with locals Mahila Mandals and other cultural tropes painting the Manali Mall red with colourful cavalcade of Kullu Culture.
After offering prayers at historic Hadimba Temple, Chief Minister flagged off the Carnival Parade from the Circuit and inspected tableaux presented by Mahila Mandals, various departments and institutions on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the cultural programme at Manu Rangshala by lighting the lamp.
Later, addressing a public meeting the Chief Minister announced enhancement in ‘Protsahan Rashi” of Mahila Mandals from existing Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000.
He also announced that an Indoor Stadium and Ice Skating Rink would be constructed in Manali to promote more tourism and other activities.
He also announced construction of Manali bypass to ensure smooth flow of vehicles. The wayside facilities would be created at Solang Nallah to facilitate the tourists heading for Atal Tunnel.
He said that Dobhi and Peej would also be developed from paragliding point of view to attract adventure lovers to Manali.
The Chief Minister said that the present State Government was committed to fulfill all the ten promises in a phased manner made by the Congress Party during assembly elections.
He said that the OPS would be implemented in the very first Cabinet. He said that women in the age group of 18 years to 60 years would also be provided Rs. 1500 per month as promised by the Congress Party.
Sukhu said the State Government is encouraging electric vehicles in a big way. As many as 18 Transport vehicles will be replaced with electric vehicles by 15th of this month, he added.
He said that better charging infrastructure will also be created in the State so that people can opt for electric vehicles.
Sukhu said the state Government has decided to set up Chief Minister's Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh with an outlay of Rs. 101 crore so that the facility of higher education can be provided to needy children and destitute women.
He said that the State Government will bear the expenditure on skill development, higher education and vocational training of such children.
He said that he will contribute his one month salary towards this fund and other Congress MLAs have also agreed to contribute their one month salary.
Winter Carnival Manali gives push to tourism, trade, promoting traditional beliefs and culture, Sukhu said.
The carnival provides a platform to various artists of different States to showcase their talent.
MLA Kullu Sunder Singh Thakur and Manali MLA Bhuvaneshwar Gaur welcomed the Chief Minister and sought CM's nod for developmental demands of the area.
