The congress led government celebrated its completion of one year at government senior secondary school ground, Hamirpur today. The function was attended by thousands of people from all the districts of the State. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the present State Government during its one year tenure had ensured equal and balanced development of all areas and the sections of the society and welfare of the weaker sections had remained the focal point of the Government's policies and programmes. He thanked the people of the State for their overwhelming support to the government during past one year.
He said that today Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a role model of development to all other states the credit for which goes to the successive congress governments in the State. The Congress party had always worked hard for the speedy development of all areas and maintaining emotional integrity while BJP governments always believed in regionalism and victimization of its political rivals.
He said that BJP government tried to implicate him in false cases but every time he was exonerated by the court. He said that the Congress party had submitted a charge sheet against previous government and it was duty bound to conduct inquiry in to it and take action as per the law. He made it clear that no innocent would be harassed but serious action would be initiated against those found guilty.
The Chief Minister said that the present government was not against any sports organization but it was the duty of the government to ensure complete transparency in the functioning of these organizations. Referring to the anomalies in the functioning of PCA, he said that previous BJP government gave land on lease to the Association by ignoring the norms and later this organization was converted from society to a company without any intimation to the government. He said that
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government had launched several welfare schemes which upgraded the lives of the people. He said that providing food, shelter and employment to the people has been the main concern of his Government. All the schemes and programmes launched by the State Government had been aimed at development of the poor and the downtrodden. The Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana, Housing Subsidy Scheme, Skill Development Allowance Scheme were some of the schemes, which had helped in meeting the three basic needs of the people.Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was one of the first few States of the Country to effectively implement the Food Security Act by launching Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojana. A budget provision of Rs. 175 crore had been made under State Food grain Subsidy Scheme during current financial year and additional budgetary provision of Rs. 62 crore has been made for providing ration at subsidized rate. He said that his government has to pay the liability of Rs. 122 crore of previous Government under this scheme.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that the innovative Skill Development Allowance Scheme had been launched for skill upgradation of educated unemployed youth as per the promise made in the election manifesto.
Chief Minister said that Social Security Pension had been enhanced from Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per month and all the pensioners above 80 years of age were being given pension of Rs. 1000 per month. The assistance under Mukhya Mantri Kanya Dan Yojana had been enhanced from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 25,000 and financial assistance under inter-caste marriage and for widows remarriage has been also increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000.The Chief Minister said 1.5 lakh new families had been added under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and 424 generic medicines would be provided free of cost in Government Health Institutions. He said that Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) had been included in Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Sewa Yojana and second campus of IGMC would be constructed near Ghanahatti in Shimla district at a cost of Rs 150 crore. He said that 142 Medical Officers had been appointed during this period and 60 new ambulances were added to 108 Ambulance Service.
Chief Minister said that he had recently laid foundation Stone of Rs. 922.48 crore Swan River Channelization Project in Una district. It would make 7163.49 hectare area cultivable besides chanelization of all the 73 rivulets in the district. He said that the biggest Rs. 85 crore Bamson Lagwalti Drinking Water Supply Scheme was constructed during his early tenure in Hamirpur District which was fully computerized. Keeping in view the hardships being faced by the people coming within the sanctuary area; the State Government had excluded 775 villages from Sanctuary areas by rationalizing Wild life Sanctuaries. Chief Minister also released a booklet, documentary, video and audio CD brought out by the Information & Public Relations department on completion of one year of the Congress government.
President Pradesh Congress Committee Shri Sukhvinder Singh Thakur said that UPA Government had taken many historic decisions such as RTI, RTE, MNREGA and Food Security Act which were being implemented in the State to benefit the people of the State and the latest was Rajeev Gandhi Ann Yojna under Food Security Act. He said that Congress Party participated in freedom struggle of the country and its leaders have made supreme sacrifices for the country.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Smt. Vidya Stokes said that the State Government was endeavouring to provide portable water and irrigation facility to the people of the State. She said that safe drinking water had been provided to 1327 habitations and 1315 hand pumps installed in the water scarcity area during last one year. The DPR worth Rs 179.59 crore had been approved by the Union Water Resource Ministry for channelization of Chhonch Khud in Indora tehsil of Kangra district. She said that Rs. 21 crore drinking water supply scheme was being constructed for Dharamshala town which would benefit 50,000 people of the town.Transport and Food & Civil Supplies Minister Shri G.S. Bali said that 1300 new buses were being purchased to provide better communication facilities to the people of the State. He said that previous Government purchased only substandard 100 buses and HRTC suffered a loss of Rs. 477 crore. He said that a super specialty hospital block was constructed at Dr. RPMCH Tanda and its bed capacity would be enhanced to 750. He said that an Engineering College would also be opened at Kangra and Rampur.
Industries and I&PR Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri said to give boost to industrialization, approval for setting up of industrial units in the State was being accorded within 90 day. The new industrial areas would be developed in Solan, Una and Kangra districts while a technical park would be developed at Baddi by spending Rs 147 crore. The Union Government had also given nod to connect Baddi industrial area with Chandigarh by rail line which would help in giving fillip to the industrial activities in the region. He said that Railway Ministry had sanctioned Rs 28 crore for construction of rail track beyond Amb on Nangal-Talwara rail line. He said that the Government would provide Induction heater, Solar Lamp and Cycle to the workers registered with the Board and Rs 25, 000 would be provided for the marriage of the workers and his/her two children besides Rs 1 lakh compensation would be provided to the dependants of the worker in event on death at work place and Rs 50,000 would be provided in case of natural death.
President, State Youth Congress, Shri Vikramaditya Singh said that State Government had taken various initiatives for the youth. The Skill Development Allowance Scheme had been started for the youth and it was being ensured that 70 percent employment was given to the Himachalis in industrial units and other private sectors. He said that credit for Jan Lokpal Bill goes to Social Activist Anna Hajare and Congress Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi. He said that youth congress would work hard to ensure victory of all the four Lok Sabha seats in the State.CPS Shri Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, MLA Shri Rajinder Rana, Chairman 20 Point Programme Shri Ram Lal Thakur, former President All India Mahila Congress Smt. Anita Verma also spoke on the occasion. Shri Sunil Bitoo General Secretary PCC welcomed the Chief Minister.
Ministers, Congress MLAs, Chairmans and Vice Chairmans of various Boards and Corporations, former MLAs, office bearers and members of Congress and its frontal organizations were present on the occasion.