The Deputy CM said that the state government had no intention of closing the HIMCARE scheme, the government will also take up with the Centre to extend the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to the entire population of Himachal.

He also urged the Deputy Chief Minister to consider providing relief from the taxes imposed on tourist vehicles and to ensure the provision of necessary facilities and safety measures for taxi operators.

Stakes are high for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister, Mukesh Agnihotri in Hamirpur Parliamentary constituency, which has elected BJP nominees over the last 26 years and from where four times MP in a row, Union Minister Anurag Thakur is seeking re-election on polls slated for June 1.

Aastha Agnihotri, daughter of Himachal Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihoti, politely turned down the party high command’s proposal to contest from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat against Union Minister, BJP’s Anurag Thakur.