The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a big challenge to the economy of the country as well as the States but at the same time it has given an opportunity to re-plan and re-think developmental plans as the challenges also provide opportunities and future belongs to those who can convert challenges into opportunities. This was stated Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the meeting with the Administrative Secretaries regarding Rs 20 lakh crore Economic Package 'Atamnirbhar Bharat' announced by the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Chief Minister said that the economic reforms package announced by the Prime Minister was a step in this direction and an attempt to make a self sufficient and self reliant India. He said that in the post COVID scenario India could be the favoured investment destination by fully harnessing the optimum potential available. He said that immediate steps were required to be taken in this direction, in all sectors of economy. Jai Ram Thakur said that the package announced by the Prime Minister will prove to be a boon for the weaker sections of the society, medium, small and micro industries, entrepreneurs, labours and common people. He said that an economic incentive of Rs. 50 thousand crores announced by the Union Government would ensure availability of funds (Liquidity) required for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises. He said out of the 55,000 industrial units in the State, more than 98 percent of them fall under this category, therefore, the industrial sector of the state would be immensely benefitted by this announcement. He said that some of the large units would also fall in the category of medium scale and thus would be eligible for MSME benefits of the State and the Centre.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 10 thousand crore has been formalized for micro food enterprises under which two lakh such enterprises would be assisted by adopting cluster based approach. He said that if would help the farmers growing peas, traditional millets, ginger, garlic, pulses, turmeric, red rice etc. He said that the officers must adopt pro-active approach to ensure that State gets adequate funds from the centre under this project so as to derive maximum benefits of the package.Jai Ram Thakur said that the economic package would have a great impact on MSME sector, tourism, labour welfare, rural economy, housing sector, migrant labourers, employment generation and sectors like agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. He said that the State Government at its own has also started steps to mitigate the sufferings of the common man in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. He said that Rs. 217 crore has been released for social security pension ranging from Rs. 850 to Rs. 1500 to 5.69 lakh beneficiaries of the State in advance.Chief Minister said that benefit related to EPF under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana announced earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier fixed for 3 months, would now be provided for 6 months. He said that E.P.F. and P.F. rates would also be reduced so that more money could be available for the general public, which would benefit the working class and the employers to a great extent.Jai Ram Thakur said that the package of more than Rs 1.63 lakh crore announced for "Agriculture and allied sector" by the Union Government focuses on supply chain, storage and establishment of other systems besides administrative reform and good governance. He said that the Union Government has also decided to extend Operation Greens to all the fruit and vegetable growers. He said that that the Agriculture Department must prepare an Action Plan for fruit and vegetables, apart from tomato, onion and potato. He said that for this effective value chain should be created to benefit the farmers.CM welcomes the tranche 4 of economic revival package.
Chief Minister has also welcomed the tranche 4 which was unveiled by the Union Finance Minister today. The tranche envisages structural reforms in sectors like Coal, mineral, defence products, civil aviation, social infrastructure etc. He said that these steps would go a long way in bringing sea change in the economy of the country.Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur said that the economic reforms package announced by the Union Government would help in rapid industrialization of the State. He said that collective efforts were needed to fully harness benefits.Principal Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena made a presentation on ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’ on the occasion.Additional Chief Secretary Forests and Power Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Labour and Employment Nisha Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Animal Husbandry Sanjay Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Industries Manoj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism and Health R.D. Dhiman, Principal Secretary Agriculture Onkar Sharma, Secretary Urban Development Rajneesh, Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Dr. R.N. Batta and Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Amitabh Awasthy made presentations regarding components of their departments.Advisor Planning Dr. Basu Sood conducted the proceedings of the meeting.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Secretaries and other senior officers also attended the meeting.