Himachal CM Sukhu Intensifies Rural Focus Ahead of Panchayat Polls with BPL Survey and Development Push

In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming panchayat elections, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has shifted his government's focus decisively toward rural areas. The CM has issued directives for the commencement of the fourth phase of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) identification survey and mandated all departments to complete pending development works in villages within a strict three-month timeframe.

Fourth Phase of BPL Survey to Begin from February 1, 2026

Chairing a meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Chief Minister Sukhu announced that the fourth phase of the BPL survey will start on February 1, 2026. He emphasized his administration's commitment to ensuring that every eligible family is included in the BPL list to facilitate their access to various government welfare schemes.

"The survey is being conducted in five phases to ensure that no deserving poor family is deprived of its rightful entitlements," Sukhu stated, highlighting the comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation.

Progress and District-Wise Data from Previous Phases

The first three phases of the survey have already identified a total of 59,829 BPL families across Himachal Pradesh. The district-wise breakdown reveals significant coverage:

Bilaspur: 2,204 families
Chamba: 13,786 families
Hamirpur: 3,480 families
Kangra: 10,807 families
Kinnaur: 1,109 families
Kullu: 2,957 families
Lahaul-Spiti: 206 families
Mandi: 12,045 families
Shimla: 4,522 families
Sirmaur: 1,277 families
Solan: 1,567 families
Una: 5,869 families

Eligibility Criteria for BPL Inclusion Expanded

Chief Minister Sukhu outlined the expanded eligibility criteria for inclusion in the BPL list, which now covers a wider demographic:

Orphans up to the age of 27 years
Households with members above 59 years of age
Families with members having disabilities aged between 27 and 59 years
Families headed by women with no adult male members between 27 and 59 years
Families where the head of the household has a disability of 50% or more
Families who worked for at least 100 days under MGNREGA during the previous financial year
Households with earning members suffering from chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, haemophilia, or other conditions causing permanent disability
Families living in concrete houses who have received financial assistance under state or central housing schemes

Urgent Push to Complete Pending Rural Development Works

During a review of sectoral schemes, Sukhu noted that nearly 90% of Himachal Pradesh's population resides in rural areas, making focused attention on villages essential. The review uncovered delays in numerous works sanctioned under various schemes, including the Backward Area Sub Plan, MPLAD, Vidhayak Kshetra Vikas Nidhi Yojana, Local Area Development Fund, Mukhya Mantri Gram Path Yojana, and other MLA-funded programmes.

"These need-based works directly impact daily life in villages and are vital for strengthening rural infrastructure and last-mile delivery," Sukhu remarked, expressing concern over delays in crucial projects such as installation of hand pumps, laying of footpaths and drains, building community halls, retaining walls, irrigation canals, footbridges, and village roads.

Monitoring and Completion Targets

Planning Secretary Abhishek Jain reported that intensified monitoring has yielded positive results, with 18,262 works completed between October 2025 and January 15, 2026. He assured that most pending works have been either completed or accelerated, with the remainder expected to be finished within the stipulated three-month period.

This dual initiative of expanding welfare through the BPL survey and accelerating rural development underscores the Sukhu government's pre-election strategy to address grassroots concerns and bolster its standing in Himachal Pradesh's villages.