Dehra Hosts State-Level Independence Day Function After 39 Years
Alice Massey
North News
Dehra, August 16
Himachal Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Thursday announced to resolve ownership claims for Pong Dam oustees under the Forest Rights Act and to transform 10 Gram Panchayats into green panchayats by establishing solar power projects with a capacity of up to 500KW in each. While addressing the gathering on the 78th Independence Day. The Chief Minister also announced to clear all pension arrears of pensioners and family pensioners over 75 years old within this financial year. He assured that the state is on the path to economic self-reliance and will clear all the liabilities of employees and pensioners in a phased manner over the coming years.
Additionally, a new scheme will be introduced to resolve around 15,000 pre-GST legacy cases, providing relief to those affected, he added. Extending warm greetings to the people of the state, the Chief Sukhu said that while the government is tirelessly working to improve the state’s financial situation, much remains to be done. Despite financial challenges, several decisions have been made in the interest of state employees. “The Congress government made policy changes that generated over Rs. 2200 crore in additional revenue for the state in just one year,” he added.
Paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh is home to the country’s first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, a pride for the state. He also mentioned that four brave sons of the state have received Param Vir Chakra, including Captain Vikram Batra, along with 2 Ashok Chakra, 11 Mahavir Chakra, and 23 Kirti Chakra.
The Chief Minister further said said that the state government has faced significant challenges on political, economic and disaster fronts in a short span of 20 months. “Many conspiracies were hatched to destabilize the democratically elected government through money power. The state had to endure the financial burden of by-elections and continuous efforts were made to stall development projects. However, the people of the state did not allow these conspiracies to succeed. They upheld democracy and triumphed over money power, showing unwavering trust in the programmes and policies of the Congress government in the state. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of the state for their continued support,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the state is grappling with serious economic challenges due to certain decisions made by the previous BJP government, which added an additional burden of thousands of crores of rupees. He said that for political gains, electricity and water bills were waived, resulting in an additional burden of Rs 780 crore on the HPSEBL and of Rs 300 crore on the Jal Shakti Department in just one year.
He said that after cases of irregularities in the Himcare scheme came to light, it was decided to exclude private hospitals from empanelment under the scheme. “I want to make it clear that the Himcare scheme has not been discontinued. The benefits of this scheme will continue to be available in all government health institutions. The dialysis services will continue in private hospitals,” said the CM Sukhu. He also mentioned that the Himachal Pradesh State Selection Commission has announced the final results for 1,841 out of 2,983 pending posts. The government fought vigorously for the case of the JOA (IT) post code 817, which was pending for four years, and declared the results following a court decision. Efforts are ongoing to announce the remaining pending exam results soon.
The state-level Independence Day function was held for the first time in the history at Shaheed Bhuvnesh Dogra Ground in Dehra, Kangra district, with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presiding over the event.
The Chief Minister hoisted the national flag and took the salute from the contingents of the State Police, Kangra District Police, IRB Sakoh, IRB Pandoh, Uttarakhand IRB Armed force, Traffic Police, SSB Sapri, Home Guards, NCC, and Bharat Scouts and Guides. The parade was led by Commander Sachin Hiremath, an IPS Probationer.
