Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that the State Government was ensuring development of tribal areas of the State for which nine percent outlay of the State plan has been earmarked under Tribal Area Sub Plan and added that Rs. 333 crore were being spent during the current financial year under the plan. He said that tribal areas although constitute three percent of total population of the State but the pace of development had been given priority so that these areas could be brought at par with other areas of the State.
Chief Minister was addressing the large public meeting at Kilba in Kinnaur district. He said that daily wages had been enhanced and the daily wagers in the tribal areas were now getting Rs.187.50, which is 25 percent higher than in other areas of the State. He said that State Government had launched several welfare schemes and programmes for the people of tribal areas of the State. Chief Minister also inaugurated Primary Health Centre building at Kilba constructed at the cost of Rs. 85 lakh. He also dedicated Community Health Centre building at Nichar constructed at a cost of Rs. 95 lakh and laid foundation stone of Science Block of Government Senior Secondary School, Nichar to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 74 lakh. He also announced up gradation of High School Bruha to Senior Secondary School.
Prof. Dhumal said that in future the Hydel Project in the tribal areas would be executed and approved after safe guarding the interest of the people of the areas. He said that compensation for the land acquired by Jay Pee Company for construction of project would be given to the people and directed the Deputy Commissioner to look in to the matter.
Chief Minister said that the State Government was committed to provide specialized health care services to the people of the State nearer to their homes. He said that Rs. 1025 crore were being spent on health sector during the current financial year. He said that over 800 Doctors and almost similar number of paramedical staff have been appointed and posted in far flung areas of the State so that people does not suffer due to lack of staff. He said that the State Government has also launched several health schemes such as Atal Swasthya Sewa, Muskan and Mother Tracking Scheme in the State.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was ensuring that all sections of the Society were benefited by policies and programmes of the State Government and the common man was the first to be benefited by these programmes. He said that the UPA Government at the centre was the Government of scams and has failed to safe guard the interest of the people.
Chief Minister said that public works worth Rs. 186 crore were sanctioned during the last four and half years for Kinnaur district and 64 Kilometres new roads and 13 bridges were constructed in the district during this period. He said that 36 villages were connected by road till August this year. He said that several projects and schemes have been launched in the field of education and health in the district. Prof. Dhumal said that under Atal School Uniform Yojna 9.30 lakh students have been provided School Uniform free of cost in the first phase and Rs. 100 were also given stitching charges. He said that the second phase of this scheme would be launched from October this year. He said that assistance under Atal Awas Yojna has been enhanced from Rs. 27,500 to Rs. 48,500 and assistance for repair of houses under this scheme has also been increased from Rs. 12000 to Rs.15000. He said the Government was providing subsidy of Rs. 140 crore per year to provide cheap ration to the people of the State.
Later, Chief Minister while addressing public Rally at Nichar said that the State Government had accorded added priority to education and Rs. 3460 crore was being spent on education during current financial year in the State and added that the State was spending 19 percent of the total plan outlay on education. He said that efforts were afoot for making Himachal Pradesh an education hub of the country for which universities of standard were being opened in the State. He called upon the youth and party workers to propagate the achievements of the Government at the grass root level.
Tejwant Negi, MLA while welcoming the Chief Minister to home segment thanked him for inaugurating and laying foundation stone of health and school buildings in the areas. He said that the pace of development of tribal areas had gained momentum under the leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Chief Minister was honoured with shawl and memento on the occasion. Earlier, Daulat Singh Negi, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Kilba welcomed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister also listened to public grievances at Choling, Kilba and Nichar. Chief Minister was given rousing reception on his arrival at Karcham helipad by Tejwant Negi, MLA, Senior BJP leaders and people of the area. He was also accorded rousing welcome enroute Choling to Nichar. Surat Singh Negi, Present District BJP, Chet Ram Negi, former Parliamentary Secretary, Senior BJP leaders, were present on the occasion amongst others.
