On the occasion of State Level 67th Independence Day celebration, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh announced to upgrade the Sub-Tehsil Kotli to Tehsil at state level 67th Independence Day celebration at Mandi. Singh, while addressing the gathering at Mandi town said that it would fulfill the long pending demand of the people of the area and facilitate the revenue work.
Chief Minister also offered bonanza on the employees and pensioners of the State Government as he announced 8 percent Additional Dearness Allowance to them. It will be implemented with immediate effect.
Chief Minister also announced to increase the honorarium of freedom fighters to Rs. 10,000 from earlier Rs.7,500 per month. Likewise, their widows and un-married daughters would get Rs. 5,000 instead of Rs. 3,500 per month. State Govt also enhanced financial assistance under the Mukhyamantri Kanayadan Yojana from Rs 21,000 to Rs 25,000 and free traveling facility under Janani Suraksha Yojana to the mothers and new born baby from hospital to their residence.
Virbhadra Singh reiterated his Govt’s commitment to strengthen the rural economy by giving priority to Agriculture and horticulture sectors. He announced that the Mukhyamantri Adarsh Krishi Gaon Yojana was being launched in one panchayat of each of all the 68 assembly constituencies and they would be given Rs. 10 lakh each. He said that Congress Govt is committed to its poll promises and as part of that it has targeted to construct as many as 10,000 houses for the houseless poor during the current year.
To strengthen the education sector, Govt was spending Rs 3836 crore, which was 18 percent of the total budget. Chief Minister said that state Govt is keen to develop industrial sector in the state and creating favorable conditions to attract Environment friendly industries in the state. He said that a mechanism had been developed for granting clearances to industrial projects in a time-bound manner within 90 days of receiving the application.
He said that Govt had been planned to develop three new state of the art industrial areas in Una, Solan and Kangra districts, which will increase the employment opportunities in state.
Virbhadra Singh said that the State government had given special attention for repair and maintenance of roads and an amount of Rs 2291 crore would be spent during the current financial year for the expansion and strengthening of road infrastructure in the State. He also announced to construct as many as 475 km motorable roads and 35 bridges and 80 villages would be provided road connectivity during the current financial year.
