Welfare of every section of the society with special thrust of upliftment of the vulnerable and most deprived was the main objective of the State Government. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the 15th meeting of Gorkha Kalyan Board held virtually from Shimla today.Chief Minister said that the Gorkha community has been playing a significant role in guarding the frontiers of the country. He said that tales of their bravery during the wars and various operations have been the source of inspiration to the youth. He said that the State Government has constituted HP Backward Classes Commission for identifying the Other Backward Classes in the State. He said that welfare and development of the State was only possible when the welfare of every section of society was ensured. He said that the Gorkha community has been included in the Other Backward Class category so as to ensure their adequate representation in government services.Jai Ram Thakur said that in order to ensure that the people of Other Backward Classes get benefits of various government welfare schemes, the income limit of Creamy Layer has been increased from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per annum. He said that this would ensure better career and job opportunities to the youth belonging to this category. He said that the main objective of this Board was to ensure development and welfare of the Gorkha community.
Chief Minister said that all the issues discussed and taken up in the meeting would be resolved at the earliest. He said that request to construct a Memorial Gate in memory of Martyr Rifleman Ankit Pradhan at Dharamsala would be considered sympathetically. He said that the state government was providing reservation of 12 percent in Class I and II posts and 18 percent for Class-III and IV posts in government jobs.Jai Ram Thakur urged the Gorkha community to give their wholehearted support to the government to ensure that the state becomes one of the most developed States of the country. He also directed the district administration to ensure redressal of the grievances of the people on priority. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary said that Gorkha community has been kept under OBC category and were being provided several incentives under various schemes.Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Sanjay Gupta welcomed the Chief Minister Director Social Justice and Empowerment Kritika Kulhari conducted the proceedings of the meeting. Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania and MLA Vishal Nehariya joined the meeting virtually from Dharamshala and members of Gorkha Kalyan Board joined the meeting virtually from their respective places whereas Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister J.C. Sharma, Secretaries Devesh Kumar, Sandeep Bhatnagar, Amitabh Awasthi and Rajeev Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Savita, Commissioner Industries Hansraj Sharma also attended the meeting at Shimla.