Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur directed the Administrative Secretaries and other officers to ensure time bound completion of various developmental works, as the delay not only results in cost escalation but also deprives the people of benefits from the projects. Chief Minister was presiding over the review meeting of Budget Assurances for the year 2020-21 here today.Jai Ram Thakur said that work on various power projects particularly 111 MW Sawara Kuddu and 180 MW Bajoli Holi should be expedited whereas 40 MW Renuka hydro project which was being constructed at a cost of Rs. 6947 crore after being declared as National Project would be completed by the end of the current financial year. He said that all the wooden electric power poles should be replaced with new steel poles by the end of current financial year.Chief Minister said that in order to promote local entrepreneurship and to provide self employment opportunities to the youth in the age group of 18 to 45 years, the State Government had launched Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna. He said that since over 1.80 lakh Himachali people stranded in various parts of the country have returned to the State, they could immensely be benefitted from this Yojna. He also stressed for effective implementation of Swaran Jayanti Poshahaar Yojna by providing nutritious food and food supplements to the children and women.Jai Ram Thakur said that since dairy farming could play a vital role in supplementing the economy of the farmers, efforts should be made to ensure better veterinary services to the farmers for better health of the their cattle. He said that the State Government has already enhanced the procurement price of milk by rupees two per litre to benefit the farmers. He said that effective steps should be taken for tree plantation. He said that since the target of plantation of one crore saplings has been fixed for current financial year in over 12 thousand hectare of land, endeavours must be made to ensure survival rate of these saplings for increase of forest cover of the State.Chief Minister also felt the need for conservation of rich cultural heritage of the State. He said that efforts should be made to promote rural handicrafts and handloom products, as this would not only give boost to the rural economy but also provide employment to the rural youth. He said that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on promoting local products. He said that lakhs of people visit various shrines and temples of the State every year therefore efforts should be made to add some more attractions in these places to make them more attractive.
Jai Ram Thakur said the COVID-19 has forced the policy makers to re-plan the health strategies by providing specialized health care facilities even in the rural areas of the State. He said that steps should also be taken to conduct mass screening of school children for detecting genetic disorders in the initial stage. He also directed the officers to start 10 mobile health centres at the earliest so that better health care facilities could be provided to the people in remote areas of the State.Chief Minister said that the State Government had accorded highest priority to road sector as they were the main mode of transportation and vital for strengthening the economy of the State. He directed the officers to ensure that various on-going road projects were completed in stipulated time period. He said that since the working season of metalling and tarring of roads was limited, therefore, efforts should be made to complete the tarring work at the earliest. He also stressed the need to connect all left out panchayats with roads on priority.Jai Ram Thakur said that steps should also be taken to explore possibilities of alternative modes of transportation. He said that the water transport route between Tattapani and Salapar should be completed at the earliest and dedicated to the people. He said that this would not only facilitate the commuters but also promote tourism activities and water sports in the region. He also stressed the need to take up ropeways projects between Baglamukhi in Mandi district and another ropeway from Narkanda to Hatu Temple.Chief Minister said that endeavours should be made for upgradation of skills of the youth to make them more employable and ready to start their own self employment ventures. He said that target has been fixed to provide skill development allowance to about 80,000 youth out of which 35000 youth have already been provided this allowance. He said State Government had launched Skill Register to create a sound data base of migrants who have come to Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown in the wake of Corona pandemic. He said that as many as 9000 youth have already registered themselves in less than a week time from the launch of this scheme.Chief Secretary Anil Khachi assured the Chief Minister that all out efforts would be made to complete all the projects within stipulated period so that fruits of development were ensured to the people at the earliest. Additional Chief Secretaries Ram Subhag Singh, Nisha Singh, Sanjay Gupta, Manoj Kumar and R.D. Dhiman, Principal Secretaries Prabodh Saxena, J.C. Sharma and K.K. Pant and other officers attended the meeting.