The functions were organized at district level in the State to mark the Himachal Day. Unfurling of National Flag, march past and cultural programmes were main attraction of the celebrations.
District Mandi
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes unfurled the national flag at historic Seri Manch in Mandi. Speaking on the occasion, she said Himachal Pradesh had marched ahead on the path of development and prosperity since its formation and today it was recognized as role model for the hill states. She said the present State government had focused its policies and programmes on the welfare of common man and the last three years had witnessed various milestones of development.
The Minister said efforts were being made to provide safe drinking water and adequate irrigation facilities to the people and Rs. 2292 crore would be spent on drinking and irrigation schemes during this financial year besides installing hand-pumps at different places by spending Rs. 33 crore.Referring to the development of Mandi district Smt. Stokes said the work on 192 drinking, 28 irrigation and two sewerage schemes were in progress and a separate drinking water scheme amounting to Rs. 82.18 crore was being executed which would ensure round the clock water supply to the town.
District Hamirpur
Presiding over the district level function at Hamirpur, Health and Revenue Minister Shri Kaul Singh Thakur reiterated the commitment of the State government to provide best health care services to the people of the State. He said 130 health institutes were opened during last three years and few of these had been upgraded to provide more bed facilities to the patients.He said three new medical colleges were being opened at Hamirpur, Chamba and Nahan and AIIMS would be established in Bilaspur district which would ensure better services to the people. He said 56 life saving drugs were being provided free of cost in the State.Shri Thakur said to fill up the vacant posts of patwari in revenue department the State government had taken decision to provide training to 1120 patwari who would be appointed in patwar circles after completion of their training.
District Sirmaur
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil hoisted the national flag at Nahan and took salute of the march past. He felicitated the people of the State on Himachal Day and also remembered the first Chief Minister of the State Dr. Y.S. Parmar for his contributions to the State.The Minister said the State government was giving top priority to social welfare sector and Rs. 1766 crore were being spent during this financial year under social welfare programme and scheduled caste sub plan. He said the social security pension had been increased and 24000 new eligible pensioners would be included under this scheme during this year.Dr. Shandil said the soldiers of Himchal Pradesh had always made supreme sacrifices for the nation and it was a matter of pride for the State that 1160 medals had been given to the brave soldiers of Himachal Pradesh. He said that State government had enhanced Samman Rashi of freedom fighters from Rs. 7500 to Rs. 10000.
District Kinnaur
The 69th Himachal Day function was organized at district headquarter Reckong Peo which was presided over by Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Shri Anil Sharma.Shri Anil Sharma said the State government was giving added priority for expansion of roads, health and education sector in tribal and rural areas which had resulted in speedy development of these areas. He said the State government had signed a memorandum with the world bank for horticulture sector which would benefit the people of tribal areas immensely.He honoured the medal winners of 16th National Boxing Championship on the occasion.
District Chamba
The district-level Himachal Day function was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor here at Chamba where Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri unfurled the national flag.Speaking on the occasion, the Forest Minister said the amendment in TD policy had facilitated the people of the State to a great extent. He said the process of recruiting about 500 posts of forest guards was under progress. He said the government had provided employment to over 27000 in government sector during the last three years and in the next two years, employment to 25000 more people would be given in the government sector.Talking about the development in Chamba district, Thakur Singh Bharmouri said a sum of Rs.85.84 crore was spent under various projects and schemes in forest department during the last three years. A fish meal plant would come up soon at Sultanpur in Chamba district at a cost of Rs.45 lacs.He honoured wives of martyrs and also gave away prizes to the officials who rendered their best services.
District Kangra
Excise and Taxation Minister Shri Prakash Chaudhary while addressing the district level function at Dharamshala paid tributes to those who played an important role in formation of Himachal Pradesh.He said the State Government had taken steps to provide better and time bound services to the registered traders and they had also been provided the facility of e-services. He said there was vast scope of expansion of tourism activities in Kangra district and efforts were being made to exploit this potential. The ropeways were being constructed at Dharamshala and Chamunda to boost up the tourism sector and the Dal lake near Dharamshala had also been beautified.Shri Chaudhary said Dharamshala had been given the status of Municipal Corporation which would ensure the planned development and beautification of this town. He said the government had decided to open football academy at Dharamshala.Chief Parliamentary Sectary Shri Neeraj Bharti and Shri Jagjeevan Pal were also present on the occasion.
District Solan
The District level Himachal Day function was organized at historic Thodo ground of Solan which was presided over by Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri.In his address Shri Agnihotri said Himachal Pradesh was fast emerging as industrial hub where reputed industrial houses had shown interest to set up their industries. He said 219 projects amounting to Rs. 12000 crore had been given clearance during last three years which would provide employment opportunity to almost 22000 youth. He said new projects amounting to Rs. 4079 crore had been received by the State through investors meets besides proposals of expansion of 60 projects. He added that 1.8 lakh youth have been benefited so far with the skill development allowance scheme of the State government.Shri Agnihotri said 29 colleges had been opened in the State during last three years out of which four had been opened in Solan district. A mini secretariat was also being constructed at Solan by spending Rs. 26 crore besides setting up a multipurpose cultural centre for promoting cultural activities. He said Rs. 750 crore were being spent on four-lanning of national highway upto Solan and Rs. 450 crore would be spent on four lanning of road from Solan to Kaithleeghat.
District Shimla
Speaker H.P. Vidhan Sabha Shri Brij Bihari Lal Butail presided over the Himachal Day function at Shimla.Speaking on the occasion Shri Butail said the last three years of the State government had been witnessed of speedy and all-round development of the State and the government had been able to fulfill its promises. He said every section of the society had been benefited with the policies and welfare programmes of the government.He said emphasis have been laid on strengthening the agriculture and horticulture sectors which were basis of economy of the State. The State government had launched Rs. 111.19 crore Dr. Y.S. Parmar Swarojgar Yojna for diversification of agri-horticulture activities besides Rajiv Gandhi Micro Irrigation Scheme by spending Rs. 154 crore.Shri Butail said 4.73 lakh metric tonne fruit were produced during last year in Shimla district and financial assistance was being given to the fruit producers for rejuvenation of their orchards.
District Una
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri G.S. Bali presided over the district level Himachal Day function at Una.Shri Bali said with a view to provide safe, reliable and comfortable transport services to the people 1231 new buses had been added to the fleet of the HRTC. Besides, 300 more buses would be purchased out of which 200 would be plied on rural routes of the State. The government was soon going to introduce pollution free electronic transport system for which the government of India has granted approval.The Minister announced to start two new Volvo bus services from 1st May, 2016 to Delhi from Chintpurni and Jwalaji. He said the Civil Supplies Corporation with the support of HRTC would soon launch “Rajiv Thali Yojna” at the bus stands of the State under which food would be provided at the rate of Rs. 25. He said the first Indian Oil Depot had been approved for the State which would be made functional soon from Rampur near Una.Shri Bali said 24 new ITI’s and two Engineering Colleges were opened by the present State government and IIT had been opened in Una district while IMA in Sirmaur District.MLA Shri Sat Pal Singh Satti and Shi Virender Kanwar were also present on the occasion.
District Kullu
The district level Himachal Day function was organized at Dhalpur ground of Kullu which was presided over by Power and Agriculture Minister Shri Sujan Singh Pathania.Shri Pathania said the State government had taken effective steps to harness the hydel power potential of the State. During this financial a target had been set to harness 265 MW additional power in government sector alone. He said the LED scheme had been launched in the State to save power and the consumers were being provided LED bulbs at half cost. The government had made a provision of Rs. 410 crore to provide subsidy to the electricity consumers.He said that the budgetary provision had been made for modernization of electricity lines and sub-stations at Kullu, Manali, Banjar and Bhuntar.The Minister honoured the Commandants of SSB, Director of Mountaineering Institute, Manali and Trekking Inspector for their services in rescue operations.MLA Shri Maheshwar Singh, former Minister Shri Satya Prakash Thakur were also present on the occasion.Lahaul & Spiti The Himachal Day was celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm at district headquarter Keylong. The Deputy Commissioner Shri Vivek Bhatia unfurled the tri-colour and took salute of the marching contingents.Shri Bhatia counted the development achieved in district and said that today Lahaul and Spiti was considered as one of the developed at the national level.He also honoured the social activities and government officers for their contributions towards the society on behalf of the district administration.A colourful cultural programme was presented on the occasion.