Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said that marriage, birth, and death certificates issued by Gram Panchayats across the state will soon be available online. Presiding over a review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, he reiterated the government’s commitment to deliver essential services to citizens at their doorsteps.

The State’s economy can only be strengthened through robust rural development and the successful implementation of various schemes is essential for this goal, Sukhu stated. He noted that under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) 344.31 lakh labour days have been achieved in the financial year 2023-24 surpassing the initial target of 275 lakh labour days. For 2024-25, a target of 300 lakh labour days has been set, of which, 214.51 lakh labour days have already been earned.

Sukhu also highlighted the state’s progress in making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus models. "In the year 2024-25, a total of 17,582 villages will be transformed into ODF plus models, and 9,203 villages have already achieved this status. An additional 2,347 villages have been verified as ODF plus," he added. Furthermore, 32 plastic waste management units have been constructed in various development blocks with 26 units already operational. These units will eventually be established in all development blocks.

He also focused on the efforts being made under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for women's empowerment. The state has formed 43,161 self-help groups (SHGs) to date providing them with financial assistance to boost their economic activities, he said. The success of innovative initiatives under the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) including the opening of 93 ‘Himera’ shops that have collectively sold products worth Rs 1.4 crore during the 2023-24 financial year. Additionally, 80 weekly markets organized by SRLM facilitated sales worth Rs 1.2 crore in the same period.

Looking forward, the Chief Minister announced plans to create an online platform for SHGs to market their products, further enhancing their reach and sustainability. He said that the products prepared by 'Himera' were being developed as Premium brands for availability in reputed institutes.  These products will soon be displayed in various exhibitions to be organised in Delhi and Chandigarh, he stated.