Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal Chairman and former Lok Sabha member, Sukhbir Singh Badal, met with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Thursday. The meeting focused on addressing the challenges faced by Punjabi tourists in Himachal Pradesh, among other important matters.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sukhbir Badal shared, "Met with the Chief Minister of the state, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, today at his office in Shimla regarding the problems faced by Punjabi tourists in Himachal Pradesh and some other important issues." He expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister's assurance to resolve these issues promptly. During the meeting, Sukhbir Badal was also presented with a traditional 'Himachali cap,' marking the occasion.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Power Department in Shimla. He highlighted the importance of enhancing solar power generation in the state, noting that a 32 MW solar power project has been established in Pekhubela, Una district. Additionally, a 10 MW solar power project and a 5 MW project are currently under construction in the Kutlehar and Gagret assembly constituencies, respectively.

CM Sukhu stated that Himachal Pradesh aims to harness around 50 MW of solar energy within the next six months. He also mentioned that the state government is actively encouraging the youth to participate in the solar power generation sector, offering opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. These projects, he added, would be allocated to bona fide Himachalis.

Acknowledging the rising power demand, the Chief Minister emphasized the need to tap into solar power alongside the state's hydroelectric resources. "Solar energy is a clean and renewable source, reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the reliance on fossil fuels. These solar power projects also need minimal maintenance and have a longer life span," he remarked. CM Sukhu further stressed that "climate change is the biggest challenge" and that "green initiatives can play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of global warming."

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