Shimla
Schemes focused on the welfare of all areas and all sections of the society are being implemented.
Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister (Media) Naresh Chauhan, while addressing the journalists here today, said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has recently completed two years of its tenure. He said that during this period the state government strongly faced three serious challenges on the economic, natural and political fronts. Despite this, the state government has continuously worked for the development and public welfare of the state and its two-year tenure is full of achievements. Positive changes are being seen at the ground level due to the developmental work and welfare policies undertaken by the government.
He said that the state government has presented two annual budgets during its tenure, which have been focused on strengthening the rural economy while making the state developed and self-reliant. He said that the Chief Minister has adopted system changes in the governance process by making radical changes in the unsatisfactory working system that was going on in the past. The result of this is that today Himachal is moving forward at a rapid pace in every field.
He said that the previous BJP government left Himachal with a debt of Rs 75,000 crore and liabilities of around Rs 10,000 crore. In such a dire financial situation, it is difficult for any government to implement plans. He said that despite the state treasury being empty, the Chief Minister’s efficient financial management and resource generation efforts have led to promising improvements in the financial condition of Himachal Pradesh. The state received revenue of about Rs 2700 crore from the new excise policy, auction of liquor contracts and other efforts.
He said that by bringing efficiency in the management of Himachal Road Transport Corporation and Electricity Board, they are being made self-reliant by recovering them from losses. About 300 electric buses are being included in the HRTC fleet. With the arrival of electric buses, the corporation’s per kilometer expenditure on buses will reduce to Rs 5 to 7, which will prove decisive in making the corporation self-reliant.
He said that the state government is laying special emphasis on strengthening the rural economy and creating additional sources of income for the people living in these areas. The minimum support price on cow milk is being purchased at the rate of Rs 45 per liter with a historical increase of Rs 13 and on buffalo milk it is being purchased at the rate of Rs 55 per liter with a historical increase of Rs 8. Milk procurement centers are being established even in remote villages due to which an increase in milk procurement has been seen. On an average 2 lakh liters of milk is being purchased every day.
Under the leadership of Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, a target has also been set to make Himachal a green energy state. With a view to achieving the target of harnessing 500 MW additional solar energy in the coming years, solar power plants are being established across the state.
The field of education is also being revamped as per the needs of the modern era so that the students studying in government schools are prepared and confident for the future challenges. Rajiv Gandhi Government Day-Boarding Schools are being opened in all 68 assembly constituencies. The facility of teaching in English medium has started in all government schools from class one.
Accusing the opposition of hindering the development of the state, he said that instead of creating obstacles in the public welfare policies and programs of the state government, they should play the positive role of the opposition responsibly. He said that not a single development work was done in the 5 years of the previous government while law and order was marginalized. He said that during the previous government, drug mafia flourished in the state to such an extent that today its roots have reached every village. The previous government protected and encouraged the drug mafia and gave them the opportunity to do business openly. He also asked the MPs of the state to tell which projects they have brought from the Center for Himachal and what issues they have raised in the Parliament in the interests of Himachal.
He said that the present state government will end the problem of intoxicants and drugs in the state within two years so that the future of the youth is safe and healthy. In this, the cooperation of the government as well as parents, schools, society and police will be important. He said that whether it was liquor mafia or mining mafia, question paper leak or the case of Hamirpur Staff Selection Commission rigging, corruption was at its peak during the tenure of BJP and was flourishing under the patronage of the ruling party