Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur attended the Governing Council Meeting of Niti Aayog held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi today.Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister about the progress made under various schemes and programmes besides various initiatives taken by the state government which include development in agriculture sector and doubling the farmers income by 2022, Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-nam), Soil Health Cards, MNREGA, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhanmantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission, National Nutrition Mission, Mission Indradhanush , Special Development Needs of Aspirational Districts, Suggestions for Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary, GST Act, GeM Portal, Bhim App, Aadhar and Utilisation of various untied funds available at State level.Jai Ram Thakur informed the Prime Minister that Rs. 343.12 Crore Central assistance for financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 under Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) was still pending. He said that Water Resources Ministry had given priority to 99 irrigation projects in 2016-17 under PMKSY for funding however no single scheme of Himachal Pradesh was added in this list despite fulfilling all the conditions. He said that state government had requested to add Rs. 156.31 crore and Rs. 204.51 crore for Medium Irrigation Projects of Nadaun and Finna Singh for funding under AIBP as they were fulfilling the conditions.Chief Minister requested for early release of pending funds under Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna and adding both the irrigation projects under the 99 priority projects list which would boost the income of farmers.
He further said that state government will implement nine schemes in the current year for boosting the income of farmers.He said that state government has also prepared a proposal for Water Conservation and Management with an estimated cost of Rs. 4751 crore for five districts of Himachal Pradesh which were facing water shortage for irrigation. He said that the state government has taken up this matter with the Centre for funding through any external agency. He further informed that a target has been fixed to plant 10 lakh new saplings by year 2022 to boost horticulture.Chief Minister said that state government has decided to implement innovative schemes Swasthya mei Sahbhagita Yojna, Mukhyamantri Nirog Yojna, Mukhyamantri Ashirwad Yojna and Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayta Kosh to strengthen health services in the state. He said that more than 10 lakh people have been benefitted through National Ambulance Service and the rate of institutional deliveries has increased from 50 to 80 percent. He informed that fund allocation for National Ambulance Service 108 which is a part of National Health Mission is being provided in the ratio of 20:80 (Centre and State). He urged for funds assistance in the ratio of 90:10 keeping in view the tough geographical conditions of the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Chamba, Hamirpur, Solan, Shimla and Una districts were being covered under National Nutrition Mission. He added that state government was making efforts to fill necessary posts for successful implementation of this programme however as per the directions of the GOI state government will bear the financial burden of posts pertaining to headquarter level which amounts to Rs. 21 crore. He urged the Centre to review this decision in the interest of state so that the goals under the programme are achieved fast.Chief Minister said that District Chamba has been identified under Special Development Needs of Aspirational Districts and the district administration has prepared an elaborate three year Action Plan for integrated development of the district. It has been submitted to the Centre Government, he added.He apprised in the meeting that GeM Portal was made functional and financial transactions worth Rs. 15.88 crore has been done so far whereas transactions worth Rs. 658 crore were done through Bhim App during last financial year. He further informed that Direct Benefit Transfers worth Rs. 1067 crore were made under 34 schemes through Aadhar during previous year.Additional Chief Secretary cum Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Shrikant Baldi was also present in the meeting.