Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that State Government had sanctioned 1, 08,891 new cases of Social Security Pension during last four and half years. He said that pension under it had also been increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 450 by the present Government thereby giving additional benefit of Rs. 3,000 annually to each pensioner. Chief Minister was addressing a public meeting at Koti in Shimla district today after performing foundation stone laying ceremony of Science block of Government Senior Secondary School, Koti to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 56 lakh and dedicating Primary Health Centre at Koti constructed at a cost of Rs. 60 lakh. He also dedicated parking complex at Kufri constructed at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh.
Chief Minister said that BJP Government had launched various schemes for the welfare of vulnerable sections of the society after coming to the power. He said that State Government had increased the daily wages of the workers from Rs. 75 to Rs. 150 during present regime which would provide benefit of Rs. 27,375 annually to each daily wager and criticized the previous Congress Government for ignoring the interests of this section.
Prof. Dhumal said that State Government had launched many ambitious schemes for welfare and empowerment of women folk. He said that on coming to power, BJP Government had declared public holidays to working women on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Bhaiya Dooj and Karva Chauth besides providing free travelling facility in HRTC buses to women on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj. He said that State Government had provided 50 percent reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions to women for ensuring their active participation in the process of development and it was matter of happiness that 58 percent women had been elected to these institutions during last elections. He said that State Government had also decided to provide 33 percent reservation to women in cooperative societies.
Chief Minister said that women were getting maximum benefit of ‘Atal Swasthya Sewa scheme’ which was being provided to each and every section of the society. He said that State Government had started ‘Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Swasthya Yojna’ in all Government schools under which free medical check up of students was being done.
Prof. Dhumal said that State Government had launched Rs. 64 crore ‘Atal Bijali Bachat Yojna’ under which four CFL bulbs were distributed to each domestic electricity consumer which had saved Rs. 110 crore electricity bills of the consumers annually. He said that Rs. 190 crore subsidy was being provided to benefit 16.50 lakh electricity consumers. He said that to give relief from rising prices of essential commodities, State Government was providing three pulses, two edible oils and salt on subsidized rates to the ration card holders by spending Rs. 130 crore. He added that one free carry bag was also being provided to every ration card holder from 15th August.
Chief Minister said that due to effective policies and programmes of the State Government, the State had got 69 awards from international and national agencies and two awards in tourism sector and HIMURJA had been announced recently. He dedicated these awards to the people of the State due to whom these had been won. Prof. Dhumal announced Rs. two lakh for construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawan, Koti and Rs. 10,000 to students of the school for promotion of cultural activities.
Narinder Bragta, Horticulture and Health Minister thanked the Chief Minister for safeguarding the interests of farmers and fruit growers. He said that Subzi Mandi at Solan was constructed during previous tenure of BJP Government had become centre of marketing for the farmers for selling their produce and same facilities were available to fruit growers at Dhalli Sabzi Mandi. He said that Rs. 100 crore Modern Marketing Yard at Parala would provide latest facilities to the farmers and fruit growers.
Virender Kashyap, MP welcomed the Chief Minister and said that BJP Government had safeguarded the interests of farmers and fruit growers. He criticized the policies and programmes of UPA Government due to which inflation was rising day by day. Sher Singh Chauhan, District BJP President thanked the Chief Minister for his one day visit. Roopa Sharma, State Vice President BJP thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating Primary Health Centre Koti and said that 15 roads were being constructed in this area out which nine had been completed.
Prem Thakur, President, BJP Mandal also spoke on the occasion. Roop Dass Kashyap, former Minister, Gian Chandel, Chairman, APMC, Veena Thakur, Chairperson, Social Welfare Board, Kamal Thakur, President, District Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.
