While addressing the Virtual Rally of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency from Shimla today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the Digital India vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that even due to the curfew and lockdown in wake of Coronavirus, we were able to remain in touch and contact with the masses. Chief Minister said that the Central leadership and Party high command have asked to hold rallies through video conferencing to know about the problems and needs of the people. The State of Himachal Pradesh was the front runner State in the country to hold maximum number of rallies even upto the Block and Mandal level' he added. Jai Ram Thakur said that the able leadership in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken timely steps to check spread of the virus. He said that the people of the country strictly followed the directions given by the Prime Minister. He said that the decision of lockdown by the Prime Minister has helped in containing the spread of the Coronavirus. He said that, due to the timely decision taken by the Prime Minister, death rate in India due to Corona was very less as compared to most of the developed nations of the world. Over five lakh people have lost their lives to COVID-19 in fifteen most developed countries with a total population of 142 crore whereas in India with a population of 135 crore have reported over 16,000 deaths due to corona till date, he added.Chief Minister thanked the Union Government for announcing Rs. 20 lakh crore economic package for revival of the economy of the country. He said that this package would go a long way in providing relief to the every section of the society. He said that the State Government has also started several schemes to revive the economy. He said that Rs. 500 each was deposited in the accounts of 5.90 lakh women under the Jan Dhan Yojna for the month of April, May and June. He said that under Ujjawala Yojna three gas cylinders were provided to each eligible household of the State. As many as 1,11,863 people have been benefitted in the State as Rs.500 each has been deposited in their accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government also provided three month advance social security pension to the eligible persons. He said that rupees four thousand each were transferred into the account of the workers registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. He said that rupees one thousand each were deposited into the accounts of ASHA workers from the month of March to June. Now the Government has decided to provide Rs.2000 each for the month of July and August.Jai Ram Thakur said that Rohtang Tunnel was nearing completion and would be dedicated to the nation within next few months. He said that Medical University has been established in Mandi and work was in progress to develop Shiv Dham at Mandi from tourism point of view.Chief Minister urged Union Minister of Railways, Coal and Industries Piyush Goyal, who was addressing the Virtual Rally from New Delhi to approve one Bulk Drug Pharma Park for the State. He said that the State was quite suited for this Park as maximum drugs were manufactured in Baddi-Barotiwala area of the State.Union Minister Piyush Goyal during his address said that the double engine Government of the Centre and the State was ensuring all-round development of the State. He said that the Union Government had always been sympathetic towards the developmental demands of the State. He also appreciated the efforts of the Chief Minister in effectively tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in the State. He said that Himachal Model of tackling the Corona pandemic has been appreciated by all in the country. Union Minister said that the steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were even appreciated by the WHO. He said that the World Health Organization has observed that the lockdown imposed by the Government of India has helped in checking the pandemic. He said that the lockdown also gave the country time to prepare itself for producing necessary equipments such as PPE Kits, masks, ventilators, isolation wards etc.
Piyush Goyal also appreciated efforts of the Chief Minister for launching Grihini Suvidha Yojna to cover those households who were not covered under the Ujjawala Yojana of Union Government. He said that the Himachal Pradesh Government also started HIMCARE to cover those families not covered under the Ayushaman Bharat Yojna of the Government of India. He assured the Chief Minister that the Union Government would sympathetically consider the demand of the State regarding Bulk Drug Pharma Park for the State. Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur also joined the rally from Delhi.Member of Parliament from Mandi parliamentary constituency Ram Swaroop Sharma said that Mandi Parliamentary area of the State has been witnessing unprecedented development. He said that the one year tenure of the second term of BJP under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that India emerged as the world power.MLA Rakesh Jamwal while welcoming the Union Minister and Chief Minister said that the two and a half years tenure of the present State Government has ensured welfare of every section of the society and development of all the areas of the State. Forest Minister Govind Thakur, Agriculture Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, MLAs Col. Inder Singh, Vinod Kumar, Jawahar Thakur, Hira Lal, Inder Singh Gandhi, Kishori Lal, Surender Shourie and Prakash Rana, Organization Secretary Pawan Rana, General Secretary State BJP Trilok Jamwal, Vice Chairman State Forest Corporation Surat Negi, President Mandi district BJP Ranvir, President Minority Morcha Rajbali were present on the occasion.