A review meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee to oversee the implementation of Vision Document-2017 of Bhartiya Janta Party, which has been adopted as policy document of the state government was held here today under the Chairmanship of Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj. Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur, who are the members of the Sub-Committee were also present in the meeting.The Sub-Committee reviewed the works of public works, horticulture and civil supplies departments.Suresh Bhardwaj said that the aim of the vision document was to provide better services to common masses and the government has been constantly working to achieve the fixed goals as per the vision document. The food and civil supplies department has published the Jan Aadhar Pustika based on major government schemes.He said that the state has clubbed the Ujjwala scheme of the government of India with the Grihini Suvidha Yojana of the state government to cover the remaining eligible beneficiaries. till now, 85421 beneficiaries have been provided free gas connections under the scheme and out of 7500 identified beneficiaries not covered under Ujjwala scheme, 3300 have already been provided LPG connections.The Minister said that with a view to bring transparency in government schemes, e-tendering has been made mandatory in the food and civil supplies department. The department is also providing all the necessary information in fair price shops to the people like rates and quantity of the products. People can also register their complaints under toll free number 1967 and they can obtain any relevant information on departmental website (http:/food.hp.nic.in/welcome.aspepds.co.in).
While reviewing the works of horticulture department, the Minister said that Government of India has released first installment of Rs. 70.18 lakh under Integrated Horticulture Mission and these funds have been further disbursed among eligible farmers. The project aims at providing anti-hail nets in five lakh square meter area in all the hail prone areas. A departmental technical expert committee has been constituted to conduct surveys on proper functioning and utilization of anti-hail nets.Suresh Bhardwaj said that rupees one crore received from the Centre under Chief Minister Green House Renovation Scheme for changing or repairing the five year old ploy-houses and poly-sheets have been distributed to the districts. The locations for setting up of five new CA stores have also been finalized in Karsog and Janjheli of Mandi district whereas funds have also been issued for up-gradation of CA stores in Gumma, Jarol-Tikkar, Oddy, and Rohru in Shimla district. He said that under Pushpa Kranti Yojana, Rs. 10 crore have been distributed to the districts.He said that the support price of apple and mangos have been enhanced to benefit the horticulturists. As per the promise in vision document, the work on opening of new horticulture university at Thunag in Mandi district is under process.He said that to track works of Public Works Department, a new software has been started under which submission of progress report on all the projects has been ensured. He said that the restoration of roads in tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi have already been started and to monitor the maintenance works, a new policy has been drafted. Besides, to bring transparency in functioning of the government, e-tendering has been started and the limit has been increased from Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 10 lakh for the contractors.Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the new clause will be added and contractors will be made accountable for any negligence or delay in completion of works. He said that Road Safety Audit will be conducted on routine basis. He said that there should be no compromise in quality in construction of roads.Secretary, GAD R.N Batta and other senior officials of the Public Works, Horticulture and Civil Supplies departments were present in the meeting.