The State Government would consider engaging educated unemployed youth locally to fill vacancies of teachers in government schools for a specific period to meet the shortage of staff and also to ensure that the studies of the students did not suffer. This was stated by Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, at Bharmour in district Chamba after performing foundation stone laying ceremony of Government Degree College, Bharmour to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.28 crore and dedicating Tourist Hostel building constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore on Bharmour-Chamba road to the tourists visiting the valley.
Chief Minister said that under ‘Atal School Uniform Yojana’ started in the State in the recent past, 9,27,205 students in the State would be provided free school uniform twice a year along with a stitching charges of Rs.100 per pair. He said that the scheme aimed at bringing about uniformity amongst the school dress besides helping the students of poor families who otherwise could not afford to purchase the uniform. This will also help them in instilling confidence besides helping to continue their studies.
Chief Minister later presided over ‘Prashasan Janta Ke Dwar’ at Bharmour and said that objective of organizing this was to redress the grievances of the people and solve their problems at their door steps. He said that all the grievances and complaints received on the spot were being disposed off on priority, maximum of them on the spot. He said that the State Government was sincerely endeavouring to provide succour to the people from the rising prices by giving subsidy. He said that this year Rs. 130 crore were being spent by the State Government for the purpose. He said that despite of recommendation of the Electricity Regularity Commission, the State Government had not increased the domestic power tariff and maintained old rate of 70 paisa for BPL and Rs.1.00 per unit for APL domestic consumers during the last four years by spending over Rs.190 crore over the same. He said that the State Government had also spent Rs.64 crore over distribution of CFL bulbs in the State under ‘Atal Bijali Bachat Yojana’.
Chief Minister said that the housing subsidy under Atal Awas Yojna had been enhanced from Rs. 27,500 to Rs. 48,500 with a view to facilitate larger section of weaker sections of the society.
Chief Minister said that under Atal Swasthya Sewa, ambulance was being provided free to all, which has benefited more than 1,30,000 persons. He said that the number of ambulance was being increased from 108 to 135 so as to benefit more area and people.
Prof. Dhumal said that under Matri Sewa Yojna free institutional delivery was being done of all expectant mothers. He said that they were being given free medicines during hospitalization besides free transport facilities on discharge from the hospital.
Chief Minister reiterated his Government’s resolve for speedy development of backward and far flung areas and said that development of Bharmour was also being given priority.
While listening to the grievances of people, Prof. Dhumal directed B.D.O. Mehla to construct Marasa-Matlog jeep-able road under MNREGA on the local demand. He also assured to consider the upgradation of high school, Brehi to senior secondary school. He also directed Forest and P.W.D. to construct Brehi road in case of its feasibility. He also sanctioned Rs. two lakhs for construction of path to Lamdal Committee.
Tulsi Ram Sharma, Speaker, HP Vidhan Sabha welcomed and thanked the Chief Minister for all-round development of his constituency and Chamba district. He detailed the steps taken by the State Government to bring qualitative improvement in education, health and other developmental activities. He urged opening of sub-tehsil office at Durgethi keeping in view the difficulties of the people of the area.
Present on the occasion were Capt. Bhupender Singh, District B.J.P. President, other local representatives and DC Dr. Sunil Chaudhary and S.P. Kuldeep Sharma.
