While presiding over the Silver Jubilee function of the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) organized at Dev Sanskriti Sadan in Mandi today Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lauded the efforts of doctors and healthcare workers in serving society and said that the state government has implemented radical reforms in the medical field and the results would be visible in a year to come.
He also highlighted the government's efforts to provide modern medical facilities to the people of the state. Despite the challenging economic situation in the state, the Chief Minister assured that there would be no shortage of funds for development.
He said that today every Himachali has a debt of Rs. 92,840 and financial benefits of the employees are also due.He said that for dental doctors, under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Scheme, a provision of 50 percent subsidy has been made for the purchase of medical equipments.
The Chief Minister said that Robotic surgery would be introduced in the four medical colleges and the government is moving in this direction.Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was making efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
He said that e-vehicles will be used in all government departments in three years and diesel buses fleet of HRTC would be transformed into e-buses in a phased manner. He said that the government has made a provision of 50 percent subsidy to the youth on the purchase of e-bus, e-taxi, e-truck and e-goods carrier.
Along with this, the state government is going to provide 40 percent financial assistance for solar power projects with capacity ranging from 250 KW to 2 MW. He said that demonstrating strong will-power and giving priority to the self-esteem of the employees, the state government has reinstated the old pension.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that doctors, para-medical staff and ASHA workers have played an important role in protecting humanity during the Covid-19 era.
Along with this, the health workers of the state have also done a commendable job in Covid-19 vaccination. Appreciating the first budget of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, he said that special attention has been laid on the health sector.
Earlier, Association President Dr. Anupam Badhan welcomed Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and thanked him for reinstating the old pension. Along with this, he gave detailed information about the activities of the association.The Chief Minister released the souvenir of the association.
HMOA presented a cheque of Rs. 21 lahks to Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. A cultural program was also presented on the occasion, for which the Chief Minister announced Rs. 25,000.
MLAs Anil Sharma and Chandrashekhar, former Ministers Kaul Singh Thakur and Prakash Chaudhary, senior Congress leaders Sohan Lal Thakur, Champa Thakur, Pawan Thakur, Naresh Chauhan, Chet Ram Thakur, Jeevan Thakur, Mahesh Raj, Surendra Pal Thakur, Sanjeev were present on the occasion. Guleria, Dr. Pushpind Verma, Director Health Services Dr. Gopal Beri, Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chowdhary, SP Soumya Sambasivan and other dignitaries, office bearers and members of HMOA were present.