Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, said that progressive farmers were coming forward to opt for organic farming and 4.5 lakh of them had registered themselves for setting up of vermin compost units. He was addressing a mammoth public meeting at Mamel in Karsog sub-pision of district Mandi, after he laid foundation-stone of 33/22 KV electricity sub-pision at Batala Balhi, estimated to cost Rs. 5.50 crore to benefit adjoining gram panchayats of the area with improved power supply, laying foundation-stone of augmentation of Karsog Water Supply Scheme to benefit about 6,000 consumers of 21 habitations of three gram panchayats, Upper, lower Karsog and Memel gram panchayats, estimated to cost Rs. 174 lakh and dedication of 100 bedded Civil Hospital building constructed at a cost of Rs. 608 lakh, Suket Satyagrah Shaheed Samark, completed at a cost of Rs. 22 lakh and canteen building of Government Degree College, Karsog, completed at a cost of Rs. 14.21 lakh to the students of the college today.Chief Minister said that State had succeeded in containing rural migration to urban areas by creating quality infrastructural facilities in the villages itself. He said that Himachal Pradesh happened to be the only state which had 90 percent of its population residing in rural areas which had been possible due to the availability of all basic amenities in villages. He said that Rs. 353 crore Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna, Rs. 300 crore Doodh Ganga Yojna, Rs. 321 crore crop persification and organic farming scheme, Rs. 85 crore Apple Plantation Scheme had been instrumental in giving boost to traditional farming and horticultural activities. He said that with a view to give boost to organic farming, State Government had earmarked two shops in each of the marketing yards all over the state for sale of organic produce, seed and other related agricultural inputs to the farmers.
Chief Minister said that with the subsidized essential commodities, BPL ration card holders had been benefited to the tune of Rs. 54,000 and APL Rs. 31.500 in purchasing essential commodities at subsidized rates in past five years. He said that State Government was spending Rs. 140 crore over the scheme during current financial year. He said that people were being availing free ambulance services and medical services under ‘Atal Swasthya Yojna’ which had been instrumental in saving hundreds of precious lives of people since its beginning. He said that the housing grant under ‘Atal Awas Yojna’ had also been enhanced from Rs. 27,500 to Rs. 48,000 for the houseless BPL families. He said that Atal School Uniform scheme had been a grand success since all 9,28,365 students had been distributed free school uniforms. He appealed to the people to take benefit of all such schemes of the Government to strengthen their economy.Dhumal appealed to the people to check female foeticide which had been a great hurdle in balancing the social system. He said that although the State Government had kept strict vigil over any of such incident but pro-active role of general public was imminent to check the social vice. He said that the financial grant under ‘Beti Hai Anmol’ Scheme had been enhanced from Rs. 5100 to Rs. 10,000 for two girl child of BPL families to extend them financial support by the time they grow adult. He said that BJP Government in the State had delivered benefits to each of the families in the state irrespective of their social and economic status.Chief Minister said that State Government had maintained cordial relations with its employees who had been instrumental in implementation of policies and programmes of the government in every nook and corner which had won State record 70 national level awards. He said that credit goes to the common-man, employees and people of the state who had been the driving force behind winning such recognition. He said that the State Government had cleared all the demands of the employees while the neighbouring states had yet to release pay arrears to their employees. He criticized previous government for not implementing Pay Commission Recommendations during their term for two years while the BJP on coming to power released 20 percent interim relief to its employees while the neighbouring States had released only 5 percent. Dhumal also criticized the previous Government for not providing funds for the Civil Hospital complex which was upgraded to 100 bedded hospital by BJP Government, foundation-stone of the building laid in year 2000 and adequate budgetary provisions made for the same. He said that the previous Government completely ignored the institution and it was only when BJP returned to power that funds were provided and building completed on war footing.Chief Minister assured the people of sympathetic consideration of the demands of the people of the area.Chief Minister also listened to the public grievances after the public meeting.Hira Lal, local MLA, welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked for all the liberal funds he had been providing to give momentum to the pace of development in his home segment. He also thanked for dedicating and laying foundation-stone of development projects valued at about Rs. 15 crore during one day visit to the area. He gave detailed account of the development which had taken place in the areas under the leadership of Prof. Dhumal and said that a new record had been set in construction of roads and water supply schemes in Karsog during past four and half a year. He also apprised Chief Minister of various local demands.Pitambar Lal Gupta, President, Karsog, BJP Mandal, also welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for providing Nagar Panchayat status to Karsog and providing adequate funds for various developmental programmes in the area.Joginder Pal, former MLA, Shri Ram Swaroop Sharma, Vice- Chairman, HP State Civil Supplies Corporation, Shri Bhikham Ram Sharma, Shri Kesar Singh Thakur, former Presidents, BJP Mandal, Shri Hukam Chand Verma, Chairperson, Panchayat Samiti, Shri Deevesh Kumar Deputy Commissioner, Shri Rakesh Kanwar, Director of Language and culture, senior officers of various departments and prominent people of the area were present on the occasion.