Dharamsala: The 76th Himachal Day function held at Kaza in Spiti sub-division of Lahaul & Spiti district as Chief Minister Unfurls Tricolour in Tribal region of Kaza today.
This was the first time in the history of the State that the Himachal Day function was held in the remote tribal region of Kaza, the ‘Land of Lamas’, bordering China, at a height of around 12000 feet.
The Chief Minister, announced release of three percent Dearness Allowance (DA) for all the employees and pensioners of the State thus raising it from existing 31 percent to 34 percent. The decision would benefit around 2.15 lakh employees and 1.90 Lakh pensioners. This would put an additional burden of about Rs. 500 crore on the state’s exchequer.
He also announced a pension of Rs. 1500 to all the 9000 women of Spiti above 18 years of age from June 2023 in the second phase, a college and to make 50 bedded Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kaza operational.
The Chief Minister said that the State government would take up the issue of developing an airstrip at Rangrik in Spiti Valley with the Defence Ministry. Besides, being important from strategic point of view this will also help in boosting tourism activities.
The Chief Minister said that besides constructing a heliport at Rongtong and a road to cost Rs 34 crore would also be constructed from Atargu to Mud in Pin Valley, as part of the third phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Additionally, the Government would also prioritize the construction of a road to connect Bhawa with Mud, which will the world’s highest altitude road. He said that a star-gazing observatory would be set up in the Fossil Village Langza, which is a paradise for stargazers with the assistance of Union Government.
The land has been identified for setting up Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding School at Shego near Kaza, which would prove to be a significant development in the education sector, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is focusing on the development of tourism. Since, Kangra is being developed as the “Tourism Capital” of the state, and the construction of the airport in Kangra is vital for expanding tourism. In addition, heliports were being built and expanded to connect all district headquarters by air connectivity throughout the year.
MLA Ravi Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Kamlesh Thakur, Former Minister, Phunchog Rai, former MLA Raghuveer Singh, Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Bharat Khera, OSD to Chief Minister Gopal Sharma, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan and other dignitaries were also present amongst others.
On Himachal Day Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chandra Kumar presided over the district level function organized at Dharamshala in Kangra district. He unfurled the national flag at the police ground and addressed the people of the district after taking the salute of the march past.
The minister said that Rs 500 crore Him Ganga scheme is being started to develop the system of milk-based business in the state. He said that farmers would get the right price for milk and the system of milk procurement and distribution would also improve. He said that the government plans to link women self-help groups with self-employment in rural areas. The government will buy cow milk from farmers at Rs 80 and buffalo milk at Rs 100 per kg. Many different products will be made from it.
The Agriculture Minister said that the state government is committed to provide employment opportunities to the youth. Apart from filling vacant posts in government departments, steps are being taken to create employment opportunities in the private sector as well. The government is striving to create 1 lakh job opportunities in 1 year.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
