SHIMLA 26 January 2012 : 63rd Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour throughout Himachal Pradesh today. Functions were organized at State, District, and Sub-Divisional level to mark the occasion. Hoisting of Flags, impressive march-past, cultural programmes were highlights of the functions organized throughout the State.
State-level function was held at the historic Ridge Maidan here today. Smt. Urmila Singh, Governor unfurled the National Flag and took salute at an impressive march-past presented by the contingents of Police, ITBP, Home- Guards, Army Regiments, SSB, NCC and Ex-servicemen, Scouts and NSS.
Major Jagmeet Singh 2/8 Gorkha Regiment commanded the parade.
The tableaux exhibited by various Departments were main highlights of the function. Cultural programmes were presented by cultural troupes invited from within and outside the State.s
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Smt. Vidya Stokes, Leader of Opposition in H.P. Vidhan Sabha, Shri Kaul Singh, President, PCC, Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, MLA, Smt. Madhu Sood, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation, Ex MLAs, Smt. Rajwant Sandhu, Chief Secretary, Dr. D.S. Manhas, Director General of Police, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, leaders of various political parties, Freedom Fighters, prominent persons of the town, Senior Civil, Police and Military Officers were also present on the occasion among others.
At Chamba
Shri Tulsi Ram, Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha presided over the function at Chamba.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Rs. 39.29 crore were spent on various welfare schemes during the last four years in the district for upliftment and welfare of weaker sections of the society. As many as 22,533 persons were getting social security pension and during the tenure of present Government. 4015 new pensioners were also included, he added.
Underlining the benefits of Doodh Ganga Yojna and Bhed Palak Samridhi Yojna, Shri Tulsi Ram said that 2022 shepherds had been brought under the cover of Bhed Palak Samridhi Yojna and added that 386 milch cattle were also provided under Doodh Ganga Yojna.
Shri B.K. Chauhan, Shri Kuldeep Singh Pathania, MLAs, Shri Mohan Lal former Minister, Shri Bhupender Chauhan, District BJP President, Shri Gandharav Singh former MLA, Smt. Santosh Thakur, Zila Parishad, Chairperson, Ms. Anita Thakur, President Municipal Council, Chamba and Shri Sharabh Negi, Deputy Commissioner were also present among others on the occasion.
At Kangra
Shri Gulab Singh Thakur, Public Works Minister presided over the District-Level function at Dharamshala.
Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in-Exile, Dr. Lobsang Sangay was Special Guest on the occasion.
Shri Thakur congratulated people on this auspicious occasion and said that State Government had accorded top priority to connect all far-flung villages of Pradesh with road network. He said that more than 960 villages have been connected with roads during last four years by constructing 3228 kms. new roads and 260 bridges in the State. He said that more than Rs. 500 crores had been spent on roads and bridges in Kangra district and provided road connectivity to 181 far-flung villages.
Earlier, PWD Minister paid floral tribute to the martyrs at Shaheed Smark.
A colourful cultural programme was presented on the occasion.
Chairperson Zila Parishad, Smt. Shreshtha Koundal, Smt. Kamla Patial, President, MC Dharamshala and other prominent persons were present on the occasion.
At Mandi
Presiding over the District-Level function at Mandi, Shri Ishwar Das Dhiman, Education Minister said that State Government had decided to start Atal School Uniform Yojna under which free school uniform would be provided to the students from 1st to 10th class twice a year by spending Rs. 65 crore every year. He said that Rs. 3164.54 crore were being spent on education which was Rs. 597.54 crore more than previous year’s budget and added that it was 19 percent of the total budget of the State.
He said that Post-matric and Pre-matric scholarships worth Rs. 2.76 crore were given to 41039 students of IRDP, SC and OBC categories during last four years in Mandi district, whereas scholarship worth Rs. 2.60 crore were given to 2608 students under Swami Vivakanand Medhavi Chhatarvriti Yojna, Ambedkar Medhavi Chhatarvriti Yojna, Maharishi Valmiki and Thakur Sen Negi Scholarship Schemes.
Shri Dile Ram, MLA and Chairman Finance Commission, Shri Anil Sharma, MLA, Shri Mohan Joshi, Chairman, Milkfed, Shri Ram Swaroop Sharma, Vice-Chairman, Civil Supplies Corporation, Shri Khiramani, Chairman Zila Parishad, Smt. Susheela Saunkhala, Chairperson, Nagar Parishad Shri Kanhaia Lal, former MLA, Shri Devesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner and other prominent persons and senior officers were present on the occasion.
At Hamirpur
Presiding over the District Level function at Sujanpur, Shri Ravinder Singh Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health said that Rs. 58 crore were being spent on various drinking water supply, irrigation and sewerage schemes in Hamirpur district during current financial year, whereas work on 25 irrigation schemes to bring 2122. 96 hectare land was in progress.
He said that work was in progress on 78 drinking water supply schemes and Rs. 24.42 crore were being spent on these. He said that 2816 handpumps had been installed in the district out of which 1026 handpumps were installed during last four years. He said that 80 water harvesting structures were constructed by spending Rs. 635.95 lacs whereas work on 38 structures was in progress in the district.
Smt. Urmil Thakur and Shri Baldev Sharma MLAs, Shri R.S. Mankotia, Chairman, Kangra Central Co-operative Bank, Shri Desh Raj Sharma, District BJP President, Shri Pyare Lal Sharma, State President, Kisan Morcha, Shri Dharmender Sharma, Vice-Chairman Nagar Parishad, Shri M.C. Parmar, Chairman, Ex-servicemen Corporation, Shri Rajinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner, other prominent persons and senior officers were present on the occasion.
At Kullu
Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister presided over the District-Level function at Kullu.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bragta said that subsidy worth Rs. 9.21 crore was provided to orchardists of Kullu district under Horticulture Technical Mission whereas a provision of Rs. 2.15 crore had been made under the Mission for the current financial year. He said that a modern grading and packing machine had been set up at a cost of Rs. 1.65 crore at Patli Kuhal. He said that Mandis were being constructed to strengthen horticulture activities in the district.
Shri Khimi Ram, MLA and State BJP President, Ms Dhaneshwari Thakur, Chairperson, State Women Commission, Shri Chandersen Thakur, former MLA, Shri Rishabh Kalia, Chairman, Nagar Parishad, Shri B. M. Nanta, Deputy Commissioner and other prominent and senior officers were present on the occasion.
At Bilaspur
Shri Ramesh Dhawala, Food and Civil Supplies Minister presided over the District-Level function at Bilaspur.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dhawala said that an income worth Rs. 957.54 crore was earned by the State Civil Supplies Corporation during April to December, 2011 which was an enhancement of Rs. 44.13 crore than previous year. He said that essential food-grains were being provided to 16,31,804 ration card holders through 4634 fair price shops in the State.
He said that 1594 new cases were sanctioned under social security pension scheme during 2011-12 in Bilaspur district and added that 19923 persons were being provided social security pension in the district.
Ms. Rajni Sharma, Chairperson, Nagar Parishad, Smt. Neena Kaushal, Member Zila Parishad, Shri Kanhaya Lal, Freedom Fighter, Shri Ritesh Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner and other prominent persons were also present on the occasion.
At Nahan
Presiding over the District-Level function at Nahan, Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Health Minister said that 108 Atal Swasthya Yojna had proved a boon for the State. Over one lakh patients were benefited with this scheme during one year. In sirmour district alone, more than 10 thousand patients availed 108 services. As many as 11 ambulances under the scheme are currently in operation in district Sirmour.
He said that 715 villages of 222 panchayats have been connected with roads in Sirmour district. Remaining six panchayats will be provided with road facility very soon. He added that Rs. 170 crore were being spent on Kumarhatti-Nahan State Highway for providing better road facilities for residents of Solan and Sirmour districts as well as tourist entering from neighbouring states.
Smt. Dayal Payari Chairperson Zila Parishad Sirmour, Shri Baldev Tomar District BJP President, Smt. Meera Mohanty Deputy Commissioner, freedom fighters and prominent persons of the town were present on the occasion.
At Una
Presiding over the District-Level function at Una, Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister said that Una district was one of the main industrial hubs of the state and Tahliwal, Mehatpur, Gagret and Amb had developed as successful Industrial areas here. He said the state government was making every effort to provide all facilities to the industrialists in the district. At present there were 2,019 industrial units in the district which were providing employment to 13,999 people including 11,825 Himachalis. These units had attracted an investment of Rs. 1,010 crore rupees, he added.
Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Shri Satpal Singh Satti and Shri Virender Kanwar, Gagret MLA, Shri Balbir Singh Chaudhary, HIMFED Chairperson Ms. Santosh Saini, SP Sumedha Dwivedi, Former MP Shri Ranjeet Singh, ADM Shri Rakesh Sharma, SDM Srhi Pardeep Thakur, Zila Parishad Chairperson Rani Ranout, Vice-Chairman Srhi Avtar Singh, Nagar Parishad Chairperson Mamta Kashyap and former Zila Parishad Chairman Balbir Bagga were also present on the occasion among others.
At Solan
Shri Mahender Singh Thakur, Transport Minister presided over the District-Level function at Solan.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that four important towns in the state had been identified for launching ‘Rajeev Awas Yojna’ for comprehensive developments of towns. These include sewerage system, drainage, street lights, parking facilities, sports facilities, garbage disposal, urban transport, construction of link roads with adjoining villages and sub-urban areas. In addition to this innovative schemes will be added to the master plan so that the towns were fit for living with pleasant environment.
Transport Minister said that in order to improve mobility in rural areas, Chief Minister Rural Road Transport Scheme had been launched in the State. He said that 150 routes in rural areas have been identified where unemployed youth of rural areas could operate 29 seater, 22 seater and 17 seater buses. In addition to relaxation of transport tax, incentive ranging Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 per month will be provided to these bus operators, he added. He said that the scheme would not only generate employment resources in rural areas but will also improve rural transport in the state.
Prof. Virender Kashyap, MP, Dr. Rajeev Sehjal MLA Kasauli, Shri Govind Ram Sharma MLA Arki, Shri C.Paul Rasu D.C. Solan and other prominent persons of the area were present among others.
At Reckong-Peo
Dr. Sunil Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner presided over the District-Level function at Reckong-Peo. He detailed out the developmental activities of the area.
Shri Tejwant Negi, MLA, Smt. Priyanka Negi, Chairperson Zila Parishad, other prominent persons and senior officers were present on the occasion.
At Keylong
Shri Rajeev Shankar, Deputy Commissioner presided over the function at Keylong. Speaking on the occasion Deputy Commissioner said that a plan outlay of Rs. 69 crore has been earmarked for Lahaul Spiti district under Tribal Sub Plan during the current financial year. Out of which 39 crore 3 lacs budget had been allocated for Lahaul Division for various development activities in the area.
A colourful culture programme was presented on the occasion Sh. Shyam Nalwas, TAC Member and various prominent persons were also present on the occasion.
At Kaza
Republic Day function was also organised at Kaza and Shri Hemis Negi, SDM presided over the function.
