M A I N   N E W S

56TH HIMACHAL DAY
Virbhadra promises higher daily wages
Tribune Reporters

Dharamsala, April, 15
Presiding over the 56th Himachal Day celebrations today, the Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, announced that as promised before the elections, the daily wages would be enhanced to Rs 75 and all daily wage earners having completed seven years would be regularised. He also announced that eligible old persons and widows would be granted pension.

Addressing people at Police Grounds here, Mr Virbhadra Singh recalled the contributions of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in making Himachal what it is today.

He said it was a matter of pride that Himachal was now considered to be the most developed hill state in the country. He said the per capita income of the people of the state, which was only Rs 240 in 1948, today stood at Rs 18,920. The length of roads had increased from mere 288 km to 22,000 km while the literacy rate had risen from 8 to 78 per cent.

The Chief Minister, while reiterating the commitment of his government towards development, said all areas would be given equal opportunities. He said Himachal would always remain indebted to the late Dr Y.S. Parmar, former Chief Minister, who had the vision and capability to make the state progressive with its limited resources.

He said all villages would be connected with metalled roads within five years.

The Chief Minister said his government was committed to providing a clean, honest and transparent government to the people. He said unlike the previous government, there would be no witch-hunt, but the corrupt and guilty would not be spared. He said all investigating agencies had been given clear directions not to harass innocent people, but ensure that no guilty person was spared.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said primary education had been made compulsory in the state and now it was the endeavour of his government to provide compulsory education to all children up to the middle level. He said 2500 new middle schools would be opened during the next five years to achieve this. The Chief Minister also announced that no school or health institution would be allowed to function without proper staff. He blamed the previous government for posting employees recruited under the sub-cadre of tribal areas in cities and towns, and said all such persons would be asked to go and serve in tribal areas and those who refuse to do so would be replaced .

The Chief Minister said hydel generation agreements of the previous government would be reviewed and it would be ensured that there was provision for providing jobs to the local youth. He said tourism and other eco-friendly industries would also be encouraged for the purpose.

All Cabinet Ministers belonging to Kangra — Mr Sat Mahajan, Rural Development Minister, Mr Chander Kumar, Forest Minister, Mrs Chandresh Kumari, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr Brij Behari Lal Butail, Revenue Minister, Major Vijay Singh Mankotia, Tourism Minister and Mr G.S. Bali, Transport Minister were present on the occasion. The function was also attended by the Chief Secretary Mrs Rajender Bhattacharya, and the DGP Mr A.K. Puri. The Chief Minister gave away the Himachal Gaurav award to Mr Naveen Sharma of Bilaspur who had shown exemplary bravery by saving four lives . He also gave away gold medals to meritorious students of the local college.

Earlier the Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome when he landed at the Gaggal airport, where all ministers of the district and senior officials and party functionaries were present. People had gathered at many places and gave a rousing welcome to Mr Virbhadra Singh. On his arrival at Dharamsala, the Chief Minister visited the Shaheed Smarak and laid a wreath in memory of the martyrs.

BILASPUR: A project worth Rs 450 crore under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan for the universalisation of education in state up to class VIII had been sanctioned, said Ms Asha Kumari, Education Minister, while addressing a Himachal Day function here on Tuesday. After unfurling the National Flag, she took the salute from contingents of the police, the Home Guard, the NCC and schoolchildren. She said the government would fill vacant posts in schools, particularly those in backward areas.

NAHAN: The Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha, Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, at a district-level Himachal Day function held here on Tuesday, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from contingents of the police, the Home Guards, the NCC and scouts.

He visited the local Zonal Hospital and directed PWD officials to ensure the repair of the operating theatre and the labour room within 15 days.

A bus driver of the HRTC, Mr Pawan Kumar, and a conductor, Mr Kashmir Chand, were honoured on the occasion for exemplary work in civil life.

CHAMBA: The Rs 15 crore centrally sponsored Green Gold Project launched in Chamba district has started making progress.

Presiding over a district-level Himachal Day function here today, Dr Sunil Chowdhary, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said orchardists and farmers engaged in the field of livestock rearing, farming and fruit growing were deriving benefits from the project for revitalising their domestic economy.

HAMIRPUR: VAT will not be implemented in Himachal Pradesh as people of the state were not ready to accept it, said Mr Rangila Ram Rao, Excise and Taxation Minister. He said the matter would be discussed at the national-level meeting to be held on April 21.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Mr Rao said the tax structure would be simplified and efforts would be made to help small and petty traders of the state.

The minister earlier took part at a district-level Himachal Day function and unfurled the National Flag. He also inspected the parade and took the salute from contingents of the Himachal Pradesh Police, Home Guard jawans and NCC cadets.

Schoolchildren presented a cultural programme on the occasion.

UNA: Agriculture Minister Ram Krishan Gaur on Tuesday unfurled the Tricolour and inspected a guard of honour on the occasion of Himachal Day at the Senior Secondary School for Boys ground.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mukesh Agnihotri, Una MLA Satpal Singh, Chintpurni MLA Rakesh Kalia, former MLAs O.P. Rattan, Virender Gautam, Ganesh Datt Bharwal and Ram Nath Sharma, besides district-level officers were present on the occasion.

KULU: Cooperative Minister Kuldip Kumar on Tuesday presided over the Himachal Day celebrations at Dhalpur Ground here. He unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from contingents of the police, the ITBP, the Home Guards and the NCC.

SOLAN: The Industries Minister, Thakur Ram Lal, on Tuesday hoisted the National Flag here on the 56th Himachal Day. He inspected an impressive parade presented by contingents of the Home Guards, the police and local schoolchildren. A cultural programme was also presented by children of various schools.

Girls present a dance on the occasion of Himachal Day in Shimla on Tuesday. — PTI photo

SHIMLA: The government has drawn up a Rs 660 crore plan to provide potable water to all left-out habitations in the state over the next three years.

Presiding over a district-level Himachal Day function here on Tuesday, Mr Kaul Singh, Minister for Irrigation and Public Health, said the government would provide adequate funds for the augmentation of the existing drinking water supply schemes to meet the growing requirement. A Rs 75 crore scheme had been formulated for the Shimla town to overcome the perennial shortage of water. He said water would be lifted from the Giri river under the proposed scheme.

Earlier, Mr Kaul Singh unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from contingents of the police, the Home Guards and the NCC. A colourful cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.

MANDI: Speaking on the occasion of Himachal Day at Seri Pavilion here on Tuesday, Ms Vidya Stokes, Power Minister, said the government would accord top priority to harnessing tourism and power through the HPSEB, private and corporate sectors with the view to achieving economic viability.

Earlier, she unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from the contingents of the police, the Home Guards and the NCC. A cultural programme was also organised.

A fascinating cultural programme was also presented by various cultural troops and students on the occasion.