himachal-cm-unveils-3-0000-cr-plan-for-disaster-mitigation

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday expressed concern over the growing impact of global warming on Himachal Pradesh, noting that frequent disasters have caused heavy losses to life and property in the state.

 

At the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Sarkaghat, he referred to the 2023 disaster in which the state suffered damages of Rs 10,000 crore. He pointed out that despite the Central Government’s own assessment; Himachal received only Rs 1,500 crore, that too after two years. He added that this year’s disasters have once again caused severe losses, particularly in Mandi district and the state has not received any financial assistance from the Centre so far. 

 

Sukhu said the state government had already disbursed Rs 360.42 crore from its own resources to aid affected families. He expressed hope that Centre would soon extend financial support for the disaster-affected families. 

 

He announced to release an additional Rs 100 crore for disaster-hit families to provide prompt relief, along with the launching of  Rs 3,000 crore project aimed at disaster mitigation and protecting livelihoods in affected areas. He paid homage to the 222 persons who lost their lives in this year’s disasters.

 

Under the Special Relief Package, he said, compensation for fully damaged houses had been increased from Rs 1.3 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, while for partially damaged houses it has been raised from Rs 12,500 to Rs 1 lakh. Houses rendered uninhabitable would also be treated as fully damaged for compensation purposes, he added.

 

The Chief Minister expressed concerns over the problem of chitta (Heroine) and said his government had been taking all efforts to protect the youth from chitta. “The government has implemented the PIT NDPS Act and seized property worth over Rs 42 crore from drug mafias. The state government has made chitta testing mandatory in police recruitment,” he said.

 

He also announced the launch of the Anti-Chitta Volunteer Scheme, under which volunteers would be prepared to act as a bridge between the police and the general public. These young volunteers will not only help in preventing the spread of chitta but will also assist in awareness campaigns and in providing timely confidential information to the police so that strict action can be taken against drug mafias. A provision for incentive payments will also be made for these volunteers.

 

Sukhu also announced the formation of the Nasha Mukti Roktham and Punarvas Board. This Board will work to prevent drug abuse and reintegrate youth trapped in addiction back into mainstream society. He said that, alongside this, the state government will ensure de-addiction and rehabilitation for the welfare of the youth caught in the drug trap. For this purpose, NITI Aayog, AIIMS, PGI, and the Health Department will jointly prepare an action plan, he added.

 

Sukhu said the state government had implemented reforms in the education sector, as a result of which Himachal Pradesh had reached the fifth position in the country in terms of providing quality education to the students.

 

He announced that teachers in all government educational institutions would no longer retire in the middle of the academic session but would retire at the end of the session, which include teachers in schools, colleges, medical colleges, ITIs, polytechnic colleges, ayurvedic colleges, and nursing colleges. In addition, he announced the opening of 200 CBSE curriculum-based schools in the state.

 

The Chief Minister said that the State Government is continuously working to provide employment to the youth. During the last two and a half years, 23,191 youths have been given jobs in the government sector alone. “In the private sector, 51,425 youths have secured jobs, and more than 1,300 will be recruited into the police force in the next month. Furthermore, 600 patwari posts, 600 JBT posts, 200 doctor posts, and 300 panchayat secretary posts will also be filled,” he added.

 

The CM stated that the government had taken important step to ensure transparency and promote merit-based selection.  He said previously, in examinations conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, jobs were awarded solely on the basis of marks secured in the interview, while written exam marks were only qualifying and were not added to the final merit. “We decided that final merit will now include both written exam and interview marks so that truly hardworking candidates get the jobs,” he added.

 

Also Read: Sukhu launches Him Bhog products, honours achievers

 

Sukhu said the government had pledged to make Himachal Pradesh the country’s first Green Energy State. He said the government had made a provision of five per cent interest subsidy for solar projects ranging from 100 kilowatts to 1 megawatt in tribal areas, while in non-tribal areas, four per cent interest subsidy is being given for such projects. The electricity generated from these projects will be purchased by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, providing assured income to the youth. He announced Rs 61 crore for this scheme and also declared that 2,000 permits for e-three-wheelers would be issued to the unemployed youth.

 

The Chief Minister said the state government had taken several decisions to strengthen the rural economy. The government is procuring cow’s milk at Rs 51 per litre and buffalo’s milk at Rs 61 per litre. Naturally grown maize is being purchased at Rs 40 per kg, wheat at Rs 60 per kg, raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg, and barley at Rs 60 per kg.

 

He said to increase public participation in afforestation, the government had launched the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana with an outlay of Rs 100 crore, involving women’s groups and youth clubs. For ensuring economic security of women, the government had launched the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana for eligible women aged 18 to 59 years, under which 2,96,279 women are being provided Rs 1,500 per month.

 

He further said the state government had started border tourism, under which tourists from the country and state were now visiting areas close to the China border. He added that he had requested the Central government to start the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki La.

 

Congratulating Flight Lieutenant Arshveer Thakur, a resident of Jubbal in Shimla district, on being awarded the Vir Chakra for his prowess during 'Operation Sindoor', the Chief Minister said his bravery had made the entire Himachal Pradesh proud. He noted that during the operation, Arshveer played an important role in destroying terrorist hideouts in Bahawalpur and Muridke, Pakistan. He said Himachal Pradesh was ‘Veerbhoomi’ and the country’s first Param Vir

Chakra was also awarded to Himachal’s Major Somnath Sharma. On Independence Day, he remembered those who made the supreme sacrifice for India’s freedom.

 

 

A colourful cultural programme was also presented by various cultural troupes. The Home Guards showcased the demo of life rescue techniques on the occasion.

 

MLAs Chandrashekhar, Suresh Kumar, Ranjeet Rana, Dalip Thakur,  former Ministers Rangila Ram Rao and Prakash Chaudhary, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sohan Lal Thakur,  Chairperson Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania,  Chairman APMC Mandi, Sanjeev Guleria, Convener H.P. Kaushal Vikas Nigam Atul Karohta, Member, HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission Vijay Pal Singh, Congress leaders Pawan Thakur, Naresh Chauhan, Jeevan Thakur and Champa Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, other senior officers and party office-bearers were also present on the occasion.