SHIMLA, JUNE 15: Newly elected Pradhans and Up-Pradhans of Shimla district on Monday took a pledge to fight the menace of chitta (synthetic drugs) and work towards building drug-free villages while assuming office at a grand oath-taking ceremony held at Peterhoff.
The ceremony was presided over by Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur, while Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended as the chief guest.
Administering the oath of office to the newly elected Panchayat representatives, Rohit Thakur said that Pradhans and Up-Pradhans play a pivotal role in the state's development and serve as the first link between the government and rural communities.
He urged them to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and integrity so that every Panchayat could emerge as a model Panchayat and contribute to the vision of a developed Himachal Pradesh.
The minister announced that a meeting of all newly elected Panchayat representatives would be held on June 27 to discuss developmental priorities and strengthen grassroots governance.
Highlighting the importance of rural development, Thakur said nearly 90 per cent of Himachal Pradesh's population lives in villages, making it imperative to ensure the availability of basic amenities and infrastructure in every Panchayat.
He informed that the 16th Finance Commission is expected to provide around ₹3,744 crore for Panchayati Raj development works, while the state government would also extend financial support for local development projects.
In a major incentive for consensus-based democracy, the minister said that 137 Panchayats elected unanimously in the recent Panchayati Raj elections would receive a grant of ₹25 lakh each from the state government.
Calling upon the elected representatives to become agents of social change, he urged them to focus on cleanliness drives, anti-drug awareness campaigns, healthcare services and drinking water facilities.
He particularly stressed the need to tackle the growing challenge of chitta abuse through sustained awareness and community participation.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap welcomed the dignitaries and briefed the gathering about the proceedings of the ceremony. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sachin Sharma proposed a vote of thanks.
Among those present were Rampur MLA Nand Lal, Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Rohru MLA Mohan Lal Brakta, Shimla Urban MLA Harish Janartha and others.
UNA: In the presence of MLAs from Una district, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri administered the oath of office and secrecy to 249 elected Pradhans and 249 Up-Pradhans (498 representatives in total) of the district.
He called upon the newly elected Panchayat representatives to rise above party politics and work together for village development, good governance, welfare of the poor, youth empowerment, and the eradication of drug abuse and corruption, emphasizing that Himachal Pradesh can prosper only when its villages become strong, self-reliant, and prosperous.
Similarly, oat was administered to order Pradhans of other districts in Himachal
