Giving a gift to the employees and pensioners of the state on the 50th Statehood day, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday announced 5 per cent DA for them from July 1, 2019. This would ensure financial benefit of over Rs 250 crore to the employees and pensioners.
Presiding over the function, he said the Golden jubilee year of the Statehood would be celebrated by organising 51 programmes throughout the year in different parts of the State to trace its developmental journey, urging people to be part of this celebration.
The Chief Minister hoisted the National Flag and took salute from the march past by contingents of Police, Home-guards, NCC cadets, NSS Cadets, Scouts and Guides and school Children. Assistant Superintendent of Police Ashok Rattan led the Parade.
Thakur also unveiled the Golden Jubilee Plaque on the occasion to mark the 50th Statehood day. He said the State during these 49 years has witnessed unprecedented development in all spheres, credit of which goes to the active support and cooperation of the people of the State besides able leadership provided by the successive Governments.
He said the present State Government completed two year in the office on December 27, 2019, and significant efforts were made to provide benefits of developmental schemes to all areas and sections of the State by launching innovative and new welfare and development oriented schemes.
Thakur referred to new schemes such as Jan Manch, Mukhya Mantri Seva Sankalp Helpline, Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana, Himcare and Sahara, pointing out that these have yielded good results and Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the second best State in the country in overall performance due to effective implementation of welfare schemes. The State has achieved first place in the ‘State of the States’ Award in the fields of education and health, he added.
Expressing concern over the increasing cases of drug abuse particularly amongst the youth, Chief Minister said that the State Government has taken concerted steps to check this social vice.
He said that for this the active participation of every citizen is required.
The Chief Minister also honoured the participants of cultural programme and Parade Commanders on the occasion. A colourful cultural programme was also held on the occasion.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, MLAs Inder Singh, J.R. Katwal, Subhash Thakur, Rajinder Garg, Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi, Director General of Police SR Mardi, Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon, amongst others attended the function.
