Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Ghumarwin in Ghumarwin Vidhan Sabha area of Bilaspur district on the occasion of ‘Pragtisheel Himachal: Sathapna Ke 75 Varsh’ function to commemorate 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh, said that Himachal Pradesh being a small and hilly State has emerged as a role model for even several big States.
Chief Minister said that on the one hand the Nation was celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Himachal Pradesh on the other hand was also celebrating 75 years of its existence. He said that these 75 years have been witness to an eventful developmental journey of the State. He said that every citizen of this State has made his contribution in this developmental voyage of the State.
The contribution of every Chief Minister of the State has also remained immense in making this State one of the most developed States of the country, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that the literacy rate at the formation of the State was 4.8 percent whereas today the literacy rate of the State has crossed the mark of 83 percent.
He said that schemes such as HIMCARE, Sahara Yojna, Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojna, Shagun Yojna etc. have provided a helping hand to every household in need. He said that social security pension has been enhanced considerably and the age limit for availing old age pension without income criteria has been lowered first from 80 years to 70 years and now further reduced to 60 years.
He said that an amount of Rs 1300 crore was being spent on providing social security pension to the needy. Still the Congress leaders were baselessly accusing the State Government for ignoring the weaker sections, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has laid special emphasis on women empowerment and their upliftment.
He said that the State Government was providing 50 percent concession to women on fare in HRTC buses from the month of July this year and free power upto 125 units per month to domestic electric consumers. He said that the State Government was also providing free water in rural areas of the State.
He said that this was not going well with the Congress leaders and they were accusing the State Government for making the people of the State habitual of freebies. He urged the people of the State to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that the double engine Governments at the Centre and the State goes on uninterruptedly.
Referring to the development of Bilaspur district, the Chief Minister said that the district has made immense contributions in the development of the State, be it by providing its fertile land for construction of Bhakra Project and serving the Nation at the time of war. He said that Param Vir Chakra winner Sanjay Kumar hails from this district. He said that the National BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda also belongs to Bilaspur district.
Referring to the contribution of National BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Chief Minister said that it was due to the vision of the National BJP President that the State today has one AIIMS, Medical Colleges at Mandi, Bilaspur, Chamba, Sirmour and Hamirpur. He said that the present State Government despite the corona pandemic ensured that the pace of development goes at a steady pace.
He said that adequate support provided by the Centre and the strong political will of the State Government proved a golden era in the development history of the State. He said that enhancement of Rs 50 on daily wages of the daily wagers was a record in itself. Honorarium of ASHA workers, Anganwari workers and other para workers was enhanced considerably by the present State Government, he added.
A theme song on 75 years of existence of Himachal Pradesh and a documentary highlighting 75 years of glorious history of Himachal Pradesh produced by the Information and Public Relations Department were also screened on the occasion.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rajinder Garg, while welcoming the Chief Minister in his home constituency, said that the State in general and Bilaspur district in particular has made tremendous progress under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that Ghumarwin Vidhan Sabha area has witnessed spectacular progress in all spheres of development during the tenure of the present State Government.
He said that achievements of the State in the field of education, providing drinking water, health, horticulture and allied sectors have been appreciated by one and all. He also detailed a few developmental projects being implemented in his constituency during the last over four and a half years.
MLA Jhandutta Jeet Ram Katwal, MLA Sadar Subhash Thakur, Vice Chairman State Disaster Management Authority Randhir Sharma, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, State Coordinator Kaushal Vikas Nigam Naveen Sharma, Chairperson Zila Parishad Muskan, District BJP President Swatantra Sankhyan, Chairman HP Board of School Education Suresh Soni, Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur Pankaj Rai were present on the occasion among others.