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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the five-day-long national-level Winter Carnival at Manali on Tuesday. He also offered prayers at the historic Hidimba Temple and flagged off the Carnival Parade from Circuit House, Manali.
The parade featured the involvement of more than 250 Mahila Mandals and cultural troupes from Himachal Pradesh and other states, presenting a vibrant display of traditions and cultures along with messages supporting social causes. He also inaugurated the cultural programme at Manu Rangshala, the stage for the five-day festivity. The carnival will witness performances from as many as 25 cultural groups from various states, including star-studded nights. He also expressed keen interest in the tableaux brought out by Mahila Mandals, departments and other institutions. While addressing a public meeting on the occasion, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the 'Protsahan Rashi' for Mahila Mandals from Rs. 20 thousand to Rs. 25 thousand. Additionally, a provision of Rs. 10 crore would be made for a new bridge near Pandrah (fifteen) Mile in Manali. The Rohtang Manalsu Tourism Hotel at Manali will be renovated, and a study will be conducted to explore the possibility of creating parking on the land of the electricity board. Furthermore, he announced plans to organise skiing events in Manali in the near future.He reiterated that the Kullu district had suffered huge losses during last year's disaster. "Even I could not reach Kullu to preside over the state-level function of Independence Day due to the massive devastation caused in Shimla by the monsoon fury, where 51 people lost their lives in a single day," said CM Sukhu. Recounting the losses, the Chief Minister said that 16,000 houses were damaged in the state, with 4,000 being destroyed. The Chief Minister condemned the state BJP leaders for making unhealthy statements during the crisis when the state was reeling under the catastrophe of the decade. However, during the session, the BJP leaders did not support the state government resolution to declare the calamity in Himachal Pradesh a 'National Disaster'. He said that despite his willingness to collaborate for the state's benefit, no MP from the BJP approached the Prime Minister for financial assistance. "Despite financial constraints, the state government announced a Rs. 4,500 crore special relief package for disaster-affected families," remarked CM Sukhu. The state government revised the relief package for disaster-affected families with a manifold increase in the existing provision. The Chief Minister said that the state government has initiated the distribution of compensation from district Kullu. As of now, a total of Rs 34 crore has been disbursed to the disaster-affected families in the region, he added. (ANI)
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