Himachal Pradesh announces 8% D.A. with other bonanza on I Day celebration

64th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Himachal Pradesh today. Functions were organized at State-level, District-level and Sub-Divisional-level to mark the occasion. Unfurling of National Flag, March Past by contingents of Police, Home Guards and NCC and cultural programmes were main attraction of the celebrations.
State-level Independence Day function at Karsog.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister gave a clarion call to the people to give crushing defeat to the nefarious designs of some fissiparous forces which were posing great threat to the unity and integrity of the country to achieve their selfish ends. He also paid glowing tributes to those freedom fighters and martyrs who made supreme sacrifices for the cause of the country as a result of which the country attained freedom. He said that need of the hour was to maintain it by rising above all considerations.
Reiterating his Government's resolve for speedy development of the State and welfare of the people, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal made various announcements to benefit the employees, pensioners, farmers, students, women and other on the occasion.


Chief Minister announced grant of 8 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees and pensioners from January, 2010. DA will be given in cash from August, 2010 payable in the salary of September, 2010. The arrears would be credited to GPF accounts of the concerned employees and arrears of pensioners would be given in near future. This would benefit about 3 lac employees of the State Government and Public Sector Undertakings and over one lac pensioners.

Chief Minister also announced providing of 38 medicines free of cost in all OPDs of health institutions in the State for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal announced that ‘Krishak Miter’ would be selected in each Panchayat of the State who would work as a link between the Agriculture Department and the farmers. He would be given Rs. 4000 per annum by the State Government besides imparting training in farming techniques and extension. He will educate the farmers about various schemes being implemented by the Agriculture Department for their betterment.
Chief Minister also announced to start the Veterinary Institutions in 80 Panchayats in the State from 25th September, 2010 in the first phase to fulfill the announcement made in the budget to provide this facility in 1200 Panchayats in a period of three years for which 1150 Veterinary Institutions would be opened in the State under “Mukhiya Mantri Arogya Pashu Dhan Yojna’, so as to ensure veterinary institution in each panchayat in the State.
Chief Minister announced ‘Shepherd Samridhi Yojna’ for shepherds of Kangra, Chamba and Mandi districts under which financial assistance upto Rs. one lakh would be provided for purchase of 40 sheeps and 2 male sheep to each Shepherd. Out of this 33% would be given as subsidy.
The Chief Minister also announced launching of ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani’ scheme in every district of the State by selecting one village and linking it with MNREGA for development from tourism point of view. The objective of the scheme is to diversify the tourism activities and attract the visitors to the rural hinter-lands. The 12 villages, one in each district selected under the scheme are Sahoo in Chamba District, Nerti in Kangra District, Bela in Hamirpur District, Nari in Una District, Shamshar in Kullu District, Udaipur in Lauhaul &Spiti district, Brua in Kinnaur District, Sangrah in Sirmour District, Bania Devi in Solan District, Hewen in Shimla District, Salasi in Bilaspur District and Baggi (Saraj) in Mandi District.
Chief Minister announced that all females would be provided the facility of free delivery in Government Hospitals from today itself. He said that 75 Health Institutions had been selected in the State where facility of delivery would be available round the clock. These Institutions are located in all the districts in the State. He said this facility would be made available in 150 Health institutions in the State by March next. A provision of Rs. 4 crore has been made for this scheme. He said that for newly born child protection, 70 newly born child protection units and 20 un-healthy newly born child treatment units would be set up in the State at a cost of Rs. 4 crore.
Chief Minister said that ‘Students Health Programme’ would be launched in the State soon aimed at to identify the diseases at the early stage which could take serious proportion later and take steps for their treatment so as to control them. A sum of Rs. 4 crore would be spent under the scheme, he added.