Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing the chairpersons of Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Panchayat Pradhans of various Gram Panchayats of Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts and Pangi, Bharmour and Killar area of Chamba district today through video conferencing from Shimla said that the State Government has extended the deadline for execution of projects awarded under 14th Finance Commission till 31st March, 2021 in the wake of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.Chief Minister said that the elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions were playing a vital role not only in development of the rural areas, but also ensuring that the villages stay safe from COVID-19. He said that most of the Panchayats have also done a great work in motivating the people to maintain social distancing and also for using face masks and face covers while going out of homes.Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Union Government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing Rs. 20 lakh crore economic reforms package for the country. He said that the package envisages welfare of all sections of the society and have something to offer for each and every sector. He said that the State would be immensely benefitted by this package. He said that Rs. 40,000 crore additional funds have been provided for MGNREGA which would definitely help in generating more employment opportunities in the rural areas besides improving developmental infrastructure in these areas of the State.
Chief Minister said that the lockdown-4 has force us to rethink that we all have to live with this virus, thus start our economic activities for strengthening the economy. He said that thus the Union Government has decided to give some relaxations to start economic activities. He said that the State Government also provided certain relaxations in the curfew so that economic activities could be started in the State in a phased manner.Jai Ram Thakur said that lakh of Himachali students, workers and other people were stranded in different parts of the country. He said that the State was committed for their welfare and provided all possible help to bring them back. He said that this has resulted in sharp increase in number of Corona patients in the State. He said that all the people of Himachal Pradesh coming from other parts of the country were being kept under quarantine and only after tests they were being allowed to go home and there also kept under home quarantine. Chief Minister said that no one should be allowed to jump home quarantine and if a person does not obey quarantine protocol the same could be brought to the notice of the district administration so that the violator could be shifted to institutional quarantine centre.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government would soon start the functioning of Tribal Bhawan at Shimla so that tribal people coming to Shimla for treatment and for any emergent situation could get boarding and lodging facilities there.
Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar while welcoming the Chief Minister in the video conference said that there was no dearth of funds for various developmental projects in the rural areas. He said that the endeavour of the State Government was to provide opportunities of employment to the people at the village level itself so that they do not have to migrate to urban areas for employment.Agriculture and Information Technology Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda said that the State Government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was successfully fighting the battle against the Corona pandemic. He said that the tribal areas of the State were fast forging ahead on the path of progress and prosperity along with other parts of the State. Director Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Lalit Jain welcomed the Chief Minister, Ministers and elected representatives of PRIs in the video conference.Chairperson Zila Parishad Kinnaur Tashi Yagzin, Chairman Zila Parishad Lahaul Spiti Ramesh, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Kalpa Parveen Kumar, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Shishu Suman, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Sanah in Bharmour Ashok Kumar, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Pangi Prakash Chand and Pradhan Gram Panchayat Tabo Dei Chand also shared their views on the occasion.Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Dr. R.N. Batta and Chief Engineer Border Road Organisation M.S. Baghi were present on the occasion among others.