Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the completion of one year in office of the present state government by addressing an unprecedented and massive ‘Jan Aabhar Rally’ at Police Ground, Dharamshala today. Thousands of people from every nook and corner of the state participated in the rally, making it an historic and mega event.The Prime Minister inaugurated exhibition put up on the occasion and envisaged keen interest in it. He also interacted with beneficiaries of various welfare schemes of the state government and released a Coffee Table Book brought out by the Information and Public Relations Department on one year's achievements of the state government. A documentary on achievements of the government produced by the IPR Department was also screened on the occasion.Earlier, on his arrival, the Prime Minister was accorded warm welcome by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, other senior leaders and officers of the state government. The Chief Minister honoured the Prime Minister by presenting a shawl, Himachali cap and memento.While addressing the people on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that whenever he visits Himachal Pradesh, he feel that he has visited his own home, such is the bonding he shares with the State.While welcoming the Prime Minister to the State, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that it was blessed and honoured to have gracious presence of our beloved Prime Minister. It was due to his benevolence and support that one year's tenure of the government has been full of achievements and accomplishments. He said that every area of the State and every section of the society have been benefited by the welfare and developmental oriented policies and programmes.
While thanking the Prime Minister for making the celebration an historic one by his gracious presence, the Chief Minister said that ‘Swarnim Himachal Drishtipatra’ of BJP has been adopted as policy document by the government and from the day one, it ensured that benefits of development percolates down the person living at the lowest ebb.He said that very first decision of the state government was aimed at welfare of the senior citizens by lowering the age limit for getting pension from 80 to 70 years, benefitting over 1.30 lakh persons. In order to have first hand information about the developmental needs and aspiration of the people of the State, he has visited 63 assembly constituencies of the state out of total 68 during this short period of one year.Jai Ram Thakur said that the Jan Manch programme started by the government has proved to a boon for the common man for immediate redressal of their grievances. So far, 76 Jan Manch have been organized in 65 Assembly constituencies in which 20062 grievances were settled. Under Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana, 32,134 new LPG connections have been provided to the beneficiaries. In addition to this, 85,421 LPG connections were given under the Ujjawala scheme of the Centre. He said that Himachal Pradesh would become first State of the country with LGP connections in every household.The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to provide better health care facilities to the people and it is being ensured that all citizens get access to good health care facilities. Himcare scheme has been started for families who are not covered under Ayushman India or other medical reimbursement schemes.
Provision of free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakhs has been made on hospitalization under the scheme, he added.He said that nature has blessed Himachal Pradesh with immense tourism potential and the government is committed for its optimum exploitation. Nai Rahein, Nai Manzilein scheme has been launched to develop unexplored places of the state. He thanked the Prime Minister for getting approved ADB project worth Rs. 1900 crore tourism development project for the State.While thanking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the liberal financial assistance to the State, he said that the Centre has approved developmental projects worth over Rs. 9100 crore which helped in accelerating pace of development in the state.He assured the Prime Minister for whole hearted support of the people of the State, who were indebted for his love and affection for the State and its people.Governor Acharya Devvrat, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, In-charge Himachal BJP Affairs Mangal Pandey, former Chief Minister and MP Shanta Kumar, former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, State BJP President Satpal Singh Satti, Speaker State Vidhan Sabha Dr. Rajiv Bindal, I&PH Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kishan Kapoor, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Power Minister Anil Sharma, Urban Development Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, Agriculture Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Forest and Transport Minister Govind Thakur, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, MPs Virender Kashyap, Anurag Thakur and Ram Swaroop Sharma, Chief Whip Narender Bragta, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, MLAs, Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi, DGP S.R. Mardi were present on the occasion among others.